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Hey everyone, I am trying to decide between Reed Smith, Chapman and Cutler, and mcguirewoods for my 2L SA position in Chicago. I am interested in doing corporate or corporate finance oriented transactional work. I can't decide between them, and was hoping to get people's insight into the firm, the work, and overall reputations of the firms. Also exit opps to larger firms and anything else that would be helping in making the decision. Thank you in advance for any help!

Also, Reed Smith doesn't pay market, but I've heard that their bonus structure kind of makes up for it. Anyone know anything about this?

mcguirewoods doesn't pay market either and no offered 2 SA's in their Chicago office this past summer. They really don't seem to be in good financial shape either tbh.

Chapman and Cutler is probably better specifically for corporate finance, but I've heard terrible things about the work environment from a couple of former associates.

Haven't heard anything bad about Reed Smith, and I was actually pretty impressed with them in my interview, I'd recommend them, but your gut feeling is probably going to be most important here since they're pretty comparable firms/offices

Anonymous User wrote:McGuireWoods doesn't pay market either and no offered 2 SA's in their Chicago office this past summer. They really don't seem to be in good financial shape either tbh.

Chapman and Cutler is probably better specifically for corporate finance, but I've heard terrible things about the work environment from a couple of former associates.

Haven't heard anything bad about Reed Smith, and I was actually pretty impressed with them in my interview, I'd recommend them, but your gut feeling is probably going to be most important here since they're pretty comparable firms/offices

Can you expand on mcguirewoods being in bad shape in Chicago and about bad experiences at Chapman. Everyone I spoke with about Chapman/at Chapman seemed to really emphasize the firm culture and the people and comparing their work to the same as a lot of large firms (which I read as good exit option possibility)

I am leaning towards Reed Smith as well, but paying 15 below market/Chapman has me debating between the two. Thank for you input btw!

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:McGuireWoods doesn't pay market either and no offered 2 SA's in their Chicago office this past summer. They really don't seem to be in good financial shape either tbh.

Chapman and Cutler is probably better specifically for corporate finance, but I've heard terrible things about the work environment from a couple of former associates.

Haven't heard anything bad about Reed Smith, and I was actually pretty impressed with them in my interview, I'd recommend them, but your gut feeling is probably going to be most important here since they're pretty comparable firms/offices

Can you expand on McGuireWoods being in bad shape in Chicago and about bad experiences at Chapman. Everyone I spoke with about Chapman/at Chapman seemed to really emphasize the firm culture and the people and comparing their work to the same as a lot of large firms (which I read as good exit option possibility)

I am leaning towards Reed Smith as well, but paying 15 below market/Chapman has me debating between the two. Thank for you input btw!

Without getting into specfics that would out me:

mcguirewoods: Have been told directly by a partner that their workflow outside of the Healthcare practice is "not great" and that there are issues within the firm caused by the fact that the Chicago office really reports to the firm's main office (in Richmond), and that there isn't smooth interaction. This is largely probably due to the fact that MW didn't grow organically into the Chicago market, but bought a Chicago firm already there. If you're really interested in Healthcare I'd still recommend MW, but I'd have concerns working there otherwise, esp since you have other options.

Chapman: I know (not through any interviewing process but personally) 2 associates who started at Chapman and left for other Chicago firms within 3 years. Overall, they found it to be a pretty cutthroat place, and are (at least from what they tell me) much happier at their new firms. Again, I've also been told Corp Finance is Chapman's "thing", so there is that to consider though.

You obviously need to just decide what firm you think is a better fit, but just thought I'd let you know what I know. Fwiw a $15K starting difference ($10K from MW) wouldn't be determinative for me given $145K is not bad at all in Chicago. If you're really going to factor money into the decision though, I'd try to find out what their bonus structure is like

Thanks a lot for your reply, I really appreciate it. Good to know about mcguirewoods, they were my third anyways and this essentially confirms that.

15K/10K isn't a huge deal for me either, I had just heard that that Reed Smith had a better bonus structure so thought I'd ask the TLS-sphere.

Thank you again!

I have also heard from a few laterals that Chapman was not a place they enjoyed working at

Chapman and Cutler is better for corporate and corporate finance and I've head from several people it
s pretty awesome to work there. That would be my pick.

Anonymous User wrote:Chapman and Cutler is better for corporate and corporate finance and I've head from several people it
s pretty awesome to work there. That would be my pick.

I've heard they have a strong practice in both as well. But do you get a wider variety with larger firms like Reed Smith? Also, looking at exit opps, do you have a better chance to lateral out having worked at a larger firm like Reed Smith vs. Chapman?

Op here, also just got an offer from schiff Hardin. Any opinions/changes in prior thoughts? Sorry it's so open ended, I'm really lost about how to decide. Thanks!

OP, I have good info for you. How can I reach you?

Anonymous User wrote:OP, I have good info for you. How can I reach you?

This is OP. Feel free to PM me.

Anonymous User wrote: Also, Reed Smith doesn't pay market, but I've heard that their bonus structure kind of makes up for it. Anyone know anything about this?

Interested in this as well.

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bump.

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HotDogChow wrote:Interested in bonus structure?

As in you are interested in it too or are you asking if I am interested and should contact you if I am?

bump.