Baker Botts Forum

[Anonymous User]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

[84651846190]

Top firm in Texas.

[BearLaw]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

Could you have made the question any broader? What specifically do you want to know? And for what office?

BB is a sold, Texascentric firm that has a good transactional practice, is still fairly solid in litigation for a one of the TX big firms, and is generally very conservative/buttoned up compared to other firms (Especially V&E, Latham if you are in Houston or NYC, even Kirkland). If you have a 1L offer, you are doing pretty well, and should probably seriously consider taking it if you want biglaw.

PM me if you want more specific insight or advice without having to out yourself.

[Anonymous User]

I was a 1L summer at BB (and eventually 2L summer). It was a great experience, and I would highly recommend it. Substantive work, fun events, good people.

Your question is a bit vague. If you want more information, provide a more specific question.

[Anonymous User]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

I bet it's somehow worse than the reputation for 2LSA's, but better than the reputation for regular associates

But seriously, this question depends heavily on which office you're referring to. Dallas? Houston? Austin? etc.

I can offer some insight to Dallas and Houston only, but generally I've noticed a general disdain among students and associates for their office culture, which in my opinion has some admittedly exaggerated merit. However, in my frequent encounters with them, I feel like this is something that varies not only office to office, but practice group to practice group as well.

As far as reputation for work, they're very well regarded throughout the state for transactional work (M&A, real estate, tax, and probably some others) as well as IP. They also have a large and pretty reputable commercial litigation practice, if that's what you're gunning for, but buyer's beware re: culture.

[nothingtosee]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

I bet it's somehow worse than the reputation for 2LSA's, but better than the reputation for regular associates

But seriously, this question depends heavily on which office you're referring to. Dallas? Houston? Austin? etc.

I can offer some insight to Dallas and Houston only, but generally I've noticed a general disdain among students and associates for their office culture, which in my opinion has some admittedly exaggerated merit. However, in my frequent encounters with them, I feel like this is something that varies not only office to office, but practice group to practice group as well.

As far as reputation for work, they're very well regarded throughout the state for transactional work (M&A, real estate, tax, and probably some others) as well as IP. They also have a large and pretty reputable commercial litigation practice, if that's what you're gunning for, but buyer's beware re: culture.

Could you be a little more specific about the culture?
Screamers?
Hours?
Stuffy?
Chilly?

[Magnifique1908]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

I bet it's somehow worse than the reputation for 2LSA's, but better than the reputation for regular associates

But seriously, this question depends heavily on which office you're referring to. Dallas? Houston? Austin? etc.

I can offer some insight to Dallas and Houston only, but generally I've noticed a general disdain among students and associates for their office culture, which in my opinion has some admittedly exaggerated merit. However, in my frequent encounters with them, I feel like this is something that varies not only office to office, but practice group to practice group as well.

As far as reputation for work, they're very well regarded throughout the state for transactional work (M&A, real estate, tax, and probably some others) as well as IP. They also have a large and pretty reputable commercial litigation practice, if that's what you're gunning for, but buyer's beware re: culture.

Mostly Agree. Can offer insight into Austin. 1L and 2L SA. Culture is totally different in Austin (probably self-explanatory). Feel free to PM.

[BigZuck]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

I bet it's somehow worse than the reputation for 2LSA's, but better than the reputation for regular associates

But seriously, this question depends heavily on which office you're referring to. Dallas? Houston? Austin? etc.

I can offer some insight to Dallas and Houston only, but generally I've noticed a general disdain among students and associates for their office culture, which in my opinion has some admittedly exaggerated merit. However, in my frequent encounters with them, I feel like this is something that varies not only office to office, but practice group to practice group as well.

As far as reputation for work, they're very well regarded throughout the state for transactional work (M&A, real estate, tax, and probably some others) as well as IP. They also have a large and pretty reputable commercial litigation practice, if that's what you're gunning for, but buyer's beware re: culture.

Could you be a little more specific about the culture?
Screamers?
Hours?
Stuffy?
Chilly?

At V&E in the summer you don't have to wear a tie (usually) cuz it's hot so why would you wear a tie all the time?
At Baker Botts in the summer you always have to wear a tie cuz you're a lawyer, dammit, and lawyers wear ties.

That's how the culture difference was explained to me

[Anonymous User]

I'll add my two cents as a former 1L summer at BB in the Dallas office:

Like others have said, it's one of the big 3 in Texas and if you intend to practice in Texas, it is a great place to be. From my understanding after talking to people who summered in the Houston office, the Dallas office is a little more low key (read as no ties, no jackets during the summer and overall a little less formal). BB has the impression of being a little stuffy, but outside of office hours that is significantly diminished (though V&E is probably more outgoing [at least in Houston]).

For the Dallas office in particular:
Great IP group and strong Lit group. The corporate group might not be as well-regarded as the group in Houston, but it has been making strides in recent years (I will note that it is a more diverse corp. group than the Houston group that focuses more on Oil/Gas/Energy).

Bottom line: if you want to work in Texas, take the 1L offer. Being a summer associate is probably the best job you'll have and if you desire it, you can get a lot out of the experience.

[BigZuck]

K so disregard the tie thing I guess

[Anonymous User]

Also more grade-selective than comparable Texas firms. They will not hesitate to rescind your offer if your grades drop significantly your 2L year.

[Anonymous User]

Also more grade-selective than comparable Texas firms. They will not hesitate to rescind your offer if your grades drop significantly your 2L year.

I would argue that V&E is more grade selective, in terms of actually getting interviews, but that's without the context of knowing of any post grade-drop rescissions from either firm.

[Anonymous User]

Also more grade-selective than comparable Texas firms. They will not hesitate to rescind your offer if your grades drop significantly your 2L year.

I would argue that V&E is more grade selective, in terms of actually getting interviews, but that's without the context of knowing of any post grade-drop rescissions from either firm.

I've heard of Baker Botts no-offering at the end of the summer for grade-related reasons (happened to someone I knew), but I haven't heard of them outright rescinding an SA offer. They apparently just have a very strict cutoff, and if you fall below that cutoff, you're fucked. Does anyone know if V&E checks 2L/3L transcripts or no offers for grades?

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on DC or NY? Currently midlaw, interested in support office stigma, but culture/ strengths/ weakness info would be equally appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on DC or NY? Currently midlaw, interested in support office stigma, but culture/ strengths/ weakness info would be equally appreciated.

I'm in DC and work regularly with a few folks in NY - culture is going to depend a lot on the practice group, but I don't think either office is a support office for Texas. Both originate their own work and are self sustaining.

[Gunnnars]

Reputation of this firm for 1L SA?

I bet it's somehow worse than the reputation for 2LSA's, but better than the reputation for regular associates

But seriously, this question depends heavily on which office you're referring to. Dallas? Houston? Austin? etc.

I can offer some insight to Dallas and Houston only, but generally I've noticed a general disdain among students and associates for their office culture, which in my opinion has some admittedly exaggerated merit. However, in my frequent encounters with them, I feel like this is something that varies not only office to office, but practice group to practice group as well.

As far as reputation for work, they're very well regarded throughout the state for transactional work (M&A, real estate, tax, and probably some others) as well as IP. They also have a large and pretty reputable commercial litigation practice, if that's what you're gunning for, but buyer's beware re: culture.

Current BB associate. BB has a more conservative attitude overall and most of their rainmakers left a few years back. The firm is struggling. Unless you are really into wearing ties and pretending to be more important than others (the culture has historically been that BB was the "top" in Houston and so BB associates were "better" than other associates, which has reversed in recent years as all the rainmakers left and went to the new NYC firms in Houston, but you can imagine the type of personalities that would attract) I would avoid.

[dallinpackard]

I'ma try to bring this back to life. I am interested in BB/V&E and am trying to decide which law school to go to in order to get there. Houston is my preferred location, and I am trying to decide between Columbia, New York, Virginia, Duke, and UT. I am an EE undergrad and will be doing patent pros/lit, and will have taken the patent bar before my 1L summer. I know that most incoming associate's come from UT, but am wondering if a higher ranked school would give me a better shot at getting in, given that I have big Houston ties.

[UVA2B]

I'ma try to bring this back to life. I am interested in BB/V&E and am trying to decide which law school to go to in order to get there. Houston is my preferred location, and I am trying to decide between Columbia, New York, Virginia, Duke, and UT. I am an EE undergrad and will be doing patent pros/lit, and will have taken the patent bar before my 1L summer. I know that most incoming associate's come from UT, but am wondering if a higher ranked school would give me a better shot at getting in, given that I have big Houston ties.

You can't post here. But all of those schools place at BB/VE Houston, and given your IP credentials, you'll be well-placed to get a job in that market (you can't predict placing at a specific firm prior to law school, that's just dumb). Going to a higher ranked school doesn't give you a "better" chance of these two specific firms, they just give slightly more room for error in getting a job in the market. So if you're top 1/3 at UT vs. top 1/3 at Columbia, and given you have ties to Houston, you might get selected ahead of the UT grad with similar ties and interviewing skills.

This question deserves way more answer and nuance than I'm willing to give it, so if you want more substantive advice about getting an IP job in Houston, post in the "Asking a law student/graduate" forum.

[dallinpackard]

I'ma try to bring this back to life. I am interested in BB/V&E and am trying to decide which law school to go to in order to get there. Houston is my preferred location, and I am trying to decide between Columbia, New York, Virginia, Duke, and UT. I am an EE undergrad and will be doing patent pros/lit, and will have taken the patent bar before my 1L summer. I know that most incoming associate's come from UT, but am wondering if a higher ranked school would give me a better shot at getting in, given that I have big Houston ties.

You can't post here. But all of those schools place at BB/VE Houston, and given your IP credentials, you'll be well-placed to get a job in that market (you can't predict placing at a specific firm prior to law school, that's just dumb). Going to a higher ranked school doesn't give you a "better" chance of these two specific firms, they just give slightly more room for error in getting a job in the market. So if you're top 1/3 at UT vs. top 1/3 at Columbia, and given you have ties to Houston, you might get selected ahead of the UT grad with similar ties and interviewing skills.

This question deserves way more answer and nuance than I'm willing to give it, so if you want more substantive advice about getting an IP job in Houston, post in the "Asking a law student/graduate" forum.

I didn't realize I shouldn't post here. My bad! I'll wait until I get some scholarship offers so I can bring more to the table, but I do appreciate the advice and direction.

[Neff]

I'ma try to bring this back to life. I am interested in BB/V&E and am trying to decide which law school to go to in order to get there. Houston is my preferred location, and I am trying to decide between Columbia, New York, Virginia, Duke, and UT. I am an EE undergrad and will be doing patent pros/lit, and will have taken the patent bar before my 1L summer. I know that most incoming associate's come from UT, but am wondering if a higher ranked school would give me a better shot at getting in, given that I have big Houston ties.

You can't post here. But all of those schools place at BB/VE Houston, and given your IP credentials, you'll be well-placed to get a job in that market (you can't predict placing at a specific firm prior to law school, that's just dumb). Going to a higher ranked school doesn't give you a "better" chance of these two specific firms, they just give slightly more room for error in getting a job in the market. So if you're top 1/3 at UT vs. top 1/3 at Columbia, and given you have ties to Houston, you might get selected ahead of the UT grad with similar ties and interviewing skills.

This question deserves way more answer and nuance than I'm willing to give it, so if you want more substantive advice about getting an IP job in Houston, post in the "Asking a law student/graduate" forum.

I didn't realize I shouldn't post here. My bad! I'll wait until I get some scholarship offers so I can bring more to the table, but I do appreciate the advice and direction.

Not faulting you for thinking ahead, but generally speaking it's pointless to target a firm before you even start law school, when there are so many generic biglaw firms out there and almost all firms pay the same base and almost all have poor work-life balance. A more sensible question that you hint at is which law school to go to if you really want Texas or Houston. That depends on a variety of factors including ranks of schools and scholarships. IMO it would be in no way unreasonable to go to UT at full ride vs any other school except for HYS at sticker.

For Houston, BB is still up there, but BB/V&E have been rocked hard by Kirkland and Latham (and Gibson Dunn may be next).

[dallinpackard]

I'ma try to bring this back to life. I am interested in BB/V&E and am trying to decide which law school to go to in order to get there. Houston is my preferred location, and I am trying to decide between Columbia, New York, Virginia, Duke, and UT. I am an EE undergrad and will be doing patent pros/lit, and will have taken the patent bar before my 1L summer. I know that most incoming associate's come from UT, but am wondering if a higher ranked school would give me a better shot at getting in, given that I have big Houston ties.

You can't post here. But all of those schools place at BB/VE Houston, and given your IP credentials, you'll be well-placed to get a job in that market (you can't predict placing at a specific firm prior to law school, that's just dumb). Going to a higher ranked school doesn't give you a "better" chance of these two specific firms, they just give slightly more room for error in getting a job in the market. So if you're top 1/3 at UT vs. top 1/3 at Columbia, and given you have ties to Houston, you might get selected ahead of the UT grad with similar ties and interviewing skills.

This question deserves way more answer and nuance than I'm willing to give it, so if you want more substantive advice about getting an IP job in Houston, post in the "Asking a law student/graduate" forum.

I didn't realize I shouldn't post here. My bad! I'll wait until I get some scholarship offers so I can bring more to the table, but I do appreciate the advice and direction.

Not faulting you for thinking ahead, but generally speaking it's pointless to target a firm before you even start law school, when there are so many generic biglaw firms out there and almost all firms pay the same base and almost all have poor work-life balance. A more sensible question that you hint at is which law school to go to if you really want Texas or Houston. That depends on a variety of factors including ranks of schools and scholarships. IMO it would be in no way unreasonable to go to UT at full ride vs any other school except for HYS at sticker.

For Houston, BB is still up there, but BB/V&E have been rocked hard by Kirkland and Latham (and Gibson Dunn may be next).

That definitely makes sense. I admit I'm less set on the specific firm as I am on Houston biglaw. I'll wait, but with my 3.6 172 I don't think I'll get a full ride at UT, but I imagine I'll get some kind of money at a few schools, and am hoping to negotiate at UT particularly.