Choosing Firms--Antitrust DC/NY Forum

[Anonymous User]

Lucky to have some good options and no, this isn't a humblebrag post (or at least isn't meant to be).

Debating mostly between Skadden NYC/DC and GDC DC. Also have an offer from Latham.

Important factors include: 1. Being able to do all three types of antitrust work (civil lit, crim cartel and merger work); 2. Enjoying and being social with the people I work with; 3. Partnership/long-term career prospects.

Skadden, specifically NYC, seems to win at least on the first two points (not sure about the 3rd) but I am worried about my ability to stay sane living in NYC long-term.

Thoughts?

[toothbrush]

without knowing the relative strength of those firms in antitrust (that's your job to figure out), could you do Skadden NY and split summer GDC in DC ? That way you can try both and figure out their cultures better. Also, can see how you like ny vs. dc.

just a thought

e: congrats on great options.

[Anonymous User]

I have the same options and am doing Skadden DC. FWIW, I'm also looking at antitrust.

[Anonymous User]

I have the same options and am doing Skadden DC. FWIW, I'm also looking at antitrust.

Why did you choose DC Skadden? My concern is that the DC Skadden office seemed the least social of the three. Again, I realize not a concern for everyone, but for me, something important.

To the other poster, yes I can split. That's what I am leaning towards right now.

[toothbrush]

I have the same options and am doing Skadden DC. FWIW, I'm also looking at antitrust.

Why did you choose DC Skadden? My concern is that the DC Skadden office seemed the least social of the three. Again, I realize not a concern for everyone, but for me, something important.

To the other poster, yes I can split. That's what I am leaning towards right now.

IMO there is very little downside to this and this best answers your question.

you should try to talk to people who did the same/want to do antitrust and are at those firms. your OCS should be able to atleast point you in the right direction

[Anonymous User]

DC did seem marginally less post-work hangout oriented, but I appreciate that. It seemed like everyone had people they hung out with from the office, but they mostly socialized with people outside the firm. Most had kids and the young associates seemed to have a really good work/life balance.

[Jsa725]

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[Anonymous User]

Lucky to have some good options and no, this isn't a humblebrag post (or at least isn't meant to be).

Debating mostly between Skadden NYC/DC and GDC DC. Also have an offer from Latham.

Important factors include: 1. Being able to do all three types of antitrust work (civil lit, crim cartel and merger work); 2. Enjoying and being social with the people I work with; 3. Partnership/long-term career prospects.

Skadden, specifically NYC, seems to win at least on the first two points (not sure about the 3rd) but I am worried about my ability to stay sane living in NYC long-term.

Thoughts?

What was your cb --> offer turnaround at Latham?

[Anonymous User]

Skadden DC acceptee: To add to jsa725, the one antitrust senior associate I met with was very conversational and I definitely felt like we could work well together. As far as hanging out outside of work, I didn't get that vibe from them. I also did get the impression that, for the DC market, Skadden associates worked a more NY schedule, but with a much more family oriented mindset. I also can second the exit options. The DC office has a great list of clients it maintains absent influence from NY and the Skadden name, while marginally suppressed in DC relative to NY, can carry you far if you want to go in-house or BigGov.

As far as GDC, I just didn't like the vibe. The best comparison I have is to Quinn, although that isn't completely fair to GDC. They seemed very nice, but I got the impression that they weren't as sociable or family oriented as Skadden. They would easily beat out any NY office, but I personally felt Skadden DC was better. Some friends of mine felt the complete opposite way so, obviously, take my opinion with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous User]

Antitrust strength aside, seems like GDC would be better place to work and more social. How do you feel about the free market system?

[Anonymous User]

Antitrust strength aside, seems like GDC would be better place to work and more social. How do you feel about the free market system?

No problem with it, but not a huge selling pt to me either. I see +s and -s.

Any other thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

As far as GDC, I just didn't like the vibe. The best comparison I have is to Quinn, although that isn't completely fair to GDC. They seemed very nice, but I got the impression that they weren't as sociable or family oriented as Skadden. They would easily beat out any NY office, but I personally felt Skadden DC was better. Some friends of mine felt the complete opposite way so, obviously, take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Yeah, fwiw I got the complete opposite in vibes from GDC and skadden. On a 1-10 sociable scale I would have put skadden DC at a 2 am GDC at a 9