UChicago OCI 2015 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Grade: 177.3
URM: Yes (Not AA)
Work-experience: Essentially K-JD
Interest: Deals work, VC/PE/M&A

NYC:
1. Davis Polk
2. Simpson & Thacher
3. Skadden
4. S&C
5. Cravath

SV:
6. WSGR
7. Morrison & Foerster
8. Fenwick
9. Goodwin & Proctor

Chicago:
10. Sidley Austin
11. Mayer Brown
12. Winston & Strawn
13. Latham & Watkins
14. Jones Day

NYC:
15. Debevoise
16. Weil
17. Latham & Watkins
18. Paul Weiss
19. Sherman & Sterling
20. White & Case
21. K&E NYC
22. Fried Frank
23. Paul Hasting
24. Willkie Farr
25. Baker & Mckenzie

Rest:
26. NYC – Clifford Chance
27. Chicago - Schiff & Hardin
28. Chicago – Katten
29. Chicago – K & L Gates
30. Chicago – Perkins & Coie
31. Chicago – Reed Smith
32. Chicago – Dentons
33. Chicago – McGuire Woods

[skers]

Heads up team, read through the comments we've already made. Continuing to put firms way higher than they need to be when we've already told people they don't need to be that high is kind of annoying.

Anon above-you need to rework this significantly. You have firms in your top 5 that don't need to be top 5, I'd be surprised if you got literally any of your Chicago bids, and I think you may get like 2 if you're very lucky of your 15-25.

[Anonymous User]

Looking for professional advice: what is the lowest bid ranking I could give Simpson Thacher and Debevoise New York (each have 63 spots) and still get put on their schedule? Total novice at this.

Much appreciated.

[N.P.H.]

Grade: 177.3
URM: Yes (Not AA)
Work-experience: Essentially K-JD
Interest: Deals work, VC/PE/M&A

NYC:
1. Davis Polk
2. Simpson & Thacher
3. Skadden
4. S&C
5. Cravath

SV:
6. WSGR
7. Morrison & Foerster
8. Fenwick
9. Goodwin & Proctor

Chicago:
10. Sidley Austin
11. Mayer Brown
12. Winston & Strawn
13. Latham & Watkins
14. Jones Day

NYC:
15. Debevoise
16. Weil
17. Latham & Watkins
18. Paul Weiss
19. Sherman & Sterling
20. White & Case
21. K&E NYC
22. Fried Frank
23. Paul Hasting
24. Willkie Farr
25. Baker & Mckenzie

Rest:
26. NYC – Clifford Chance
27. Chicago - Schiff & Hardin
28. Chicago – Katten
29. Chicago – K & L Gates
30. Chicago – Perkins & Coie
31. Chicago – Reed Smith
32. Chicago – Dentons
33. Chicago – McGuire Woods

This bid list is all kinds of fucked up

Uhhhhh

What city do you want? That'll help start me off.


EDIT: You really need to take this seriously. This is exactly how people strike out.

[N.P.H.]

Looking for professional advice: what is the lowest bid ranking I could give Simpson Thacher and Debevoise New York (each have 63 spots) and still get put on their schedule? Total novice at this.

Much appreciated.

To have a very good chance being on their schedule? 12/13. To have a pretty good chance? 14-15.

This is a guessing game. We don't know the absolute worst bid you can give them while getting an interview. We just know what's on past threads (start there)

[Anonymous User]

Here's a terrible first draft. I feel like I'm missing some obvious heavy hitters, but I'm not sure.

GPA: low 178
URM/Female: no
Work experience: a few years
Leaning transactional with a preference for Chicago. Not married to either.
Ties to Chicago

Bid Firm Name City Slots
1 Perkins Coie Chicago 32
2 Sidley Austin Chicago 84
3 Kirkland & Ellis Chicago 84
4 Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom Chicago 84
5 Latham & Watkins Chicago 61
6 Schiff Hardin Chicago 84
7 Mayer Brown Chicago 73
8 Jenner & Block Chicago 63
9 McDermott Will & Emery Chicago 63
10 Baker & McKenzie Chicago 21
11 Jones Day Chicago 42
12 Davis Polk & Wardwell New York 21
13 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett New York 63
14 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton New York 42
15 Debevoise & Plimpton New York 63
16 Sullivan & Cromwell New York 42
17 Cravath, Swaine & Moore New York 38
18 Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison New York 42
19 WilmerHale New York 21
20 Katten Muchin Rosenman Chicago 42
21 Ropes & Gray New York 42
22 Proskauer Rose New York 21
23 Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy New York 21
24 Chadbourne & Parke New York 21

[N.P.H.]

Here's a terrible first draft. I feel like I'm missing some obvious heavy hitters, but I'm not sure.

GPA: low 178
URM/Female: no
Work experience: a few years
Leaning transactional with a preference for Chicago. Not married to either.
Ties to Chicago

Bid Firm Name City Slots
1 Perkins Coie Chicago 32
2 Sidley Austin Chicago 84
3 Kirkland & Ellis Chicago 84
4 Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom Chicago 84
5 Latham & Watkins Chicago 61
6 Schiff Hardin Chicago 84 might be able to bump down a few
7 Mayer Brown Chicago 73 move to 8
8 Jenner & Block Chicago 63 maybe miss consider moving up one or two
9 McDermott Will & Emery Chicago 63 might be able to move down one
10 Baker & McKenzie Chicago 21 needs to be bumped up to 7-8
11 Jones Day Chicago 42
12 Davis Polk & Wardwell New York 21
13 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett New York 63
14 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton New York 42
15 Debevoise & Plimpton New York 63
16 Sullivan & Cromwell New York 42
17 Cravath, Swaine & Moore New York 38
18 Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison New York 42 all misses starting here but that's pretty expected.
19 WilmerHale New York 21
20 Katten Muchin Rosenman Chicago 42
21 Ropes & Gray New York 42
22 Proskauer Rose New York 21
23 Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy New York 21
24 Chadbourne & Parke New York 21

Very good list. Solid Chicago with good NY backups for your grades. Everything's a hit and doesn't require action unless I say so.

Lots of these are close calls. For the ones I was unsure about, check the other threads and see where people missed these firms to make sure you're in the clear.

[2014]

Switch Cleary and Simpson too, good list though

[Anonymous User]

Would love everybody's input. Thanks!

Overview: Transactional only, and strongly prefer firms with strong tech-related practices (thus some random offices like Pillsbury (outsourcing)). Want to make sure I interview with the native Silicon Valley firms (WSGR, Cooley, Fenwick) and the big national firms that have a lot of work there (Davis Polk, Latham) - heard that you could get those in the teens in past years, but have no idea about this year. Relevant work experience in finance and tech. Moderate ties to the area. 177.7 GPA. Currently interviewing in hometown secondary market, and pretty confident about getting an offer (would rather go there than NY as my backup).

Bid Firm Location #Spots
1 Sidley Chi 84
2 Baker McKenzie Chi 21
3 Goodwin Procter SV 6
4 Gibson Dunn LA 13
5 Davis Polk SV 21
6 MoFo SV 21
7 Latham SV 22
8 Mayer Brown Chi 73
9 Fenwick SV 21
10 Cooley SV 42
11 Wilson Sonsini SV 40
12 Pillsbury Winthrop DC 6
13 Perkins Coie SV 5
14 Jones Day SV 21
15 Kirkland SV 21
16 O'Melveny SV 21
17 WilmerHale Bos 10
18 Ropes Chi 21
19 DLA Piper Chi 21
20 Dentons Chi 21
21 Chapman and Cutler Chi 21
22 Sheppard Mullin Chi 21
23 Edelson PC Chi 21
24 Goodwin Bos 21
25 Ropes Bos 42

[WheninLaw]

Would love everybody's input. Thanks! Overview: Transactional only,

Can't speak to Chicago firms, but you should get most (all?) of your SV ones. You could probably move a few down (Fenwick, WSGR) if you wanted to.

[N.P.H.]

Would love everybody's input. Thanks! Overview: Transactional only,

Chicago looks good too (though sometimes Mayer goes early and I'm assuming you know the late Chicago ones likely aren't happening)

[Crowing]

Thanks for the help, how am I looking now? Still be moving things around?

(want Chi transactional, decent ties/story, solid work experience, 178.03)

1. Kirkland Chicago (84)
2. Sidley Chicago (84)
3. Skadden Chicago (84)
4. Schiff Hardin Chicago (84)
5. Mayer Brown Chicago (73)
6. Katten Chicago (42)
7. McDermott Chicago (63)
8. Greenberg Traurig Chicago (21)
9. Latham Chicago (61)
10. Winston Chicago (42)
11. Jones Day Chicago (42)
12. Jenner Chicago (63)
13. Pircher Nichols Chicago (42)
14. Simpson NY (63)
15. Debevoise NY (63)
16. Sullivan Cromwell NY (63)
17. Cravath NY (63)
18. Chapman Cutler Chicago (21)
19. Reed Smith Chicago (21)
20. Dentons Chicago (21)
21. Baker McKenzie Chicago (21)
22. Bryan Cave Chicago (21)
23. Barack Chicago (42)
24. Holland Knight Chicago (10)
25. DLA Piper Chicago (21)
26. Foley Chicago (21)
27. Perkins Coie Chicago (32)
28. Dechert Chicago (42)
29. Vedder Chicago (21)
30. Taft Chicago (10)
31. Faeger Chicago (16)
32. Locke Lord Chicago (13)
33. Paul Hastings Chicago (21)
34. Polsinelli Chicago (10)
35. Miller Shakeman Chicago (21)
36. Pattischall Chicago (21)
37. Schook Hardy Chicago (21)
38-50. Random NY Firms?

I would drop Jenner for space. It's popular and you're going to need a high bid (I know it filled before 9 last year) but isn't a good firm for transactional work.

You're probably going to miss a lot on this bid list. Being able to bump things up one slot could be huge for you. It's hard to say exactly but the top NY firms after 15 can be a risk. S&C filled before last year iirc.

You should put any 21-slot Chicago firms you are serious about getting up higher. Last year Jones Day filled in the top 5 when it only had 21 slots initially. I would use the top couple of bids for 21-slot firms. The 84-slot firms can be down a bit, though I wouldn't take Sidley/Kirkland out of the top 5.

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone, I read through the thread and just wanted to say thanks for all the help.

My GPA is on the lower end (176.1) and I haven't seen too much advice for people like me. Any advice for CHI/NY? I know the firms that I definitely can't get in CHI (Kirkland, Sidley, Mayer Brown, etc.) but I was wondering what are some firms that you recommend in my grade range for both NY and CHI?

No URM, K-JD, good ties to both cities, good interviewer.

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Median student. Priority of interest: SV tech - NYC corporate transactional- Chicago corporate transactional.

Commentary would be appreciated.

1. Goodwin – SV – 6
2. Morrison & Foerster – SV – 21
3. K&E – NYC - 21
4. Latham & Watkins – SV – 22
5. Jones Day – Chicago – 42
6. Fenwick – SV (Mountain View) – 21
7. Davis Polk – NYC – 21
8. Paul Weiss – NYC – 42
9. Mayer Brown – Chicago – 73
10. WSGR – SV – 40
11. Gunderson – SV – 21
12. White & Case – NYC -21
13. Simpson Thacher – NYC – 63
14. Debevoise – NYC – 63
15. Cravath – NYC- 38
16. S&C – NYC - 42
17. Fried Frank – NYC – 42
18. Ropes & Gray – NYC – 42
19. Cadwalader – NYC – 21
20. Shearman & Sterling – NYC – 21
===
21. Winston & Strawn – Chicago – 42
22. McDermott – Chicago – 63
23. Perkins – Chicago – 32
24. Schiff & Hardin – Chicago – 84
25. K&L Gates – Chicago – 21
26. Baker & McKenzie – Chicago – 21
27. Katten – Chicago – 42
28. Reed Smith – Chicago – 21
29. Denton – Chicago – 21
30. McGuire – Chicago – 21
31. King & Spalding – NYC – 10

[UofCforme]

Does anybody here have experience with bidding straight Texas? If so, please PM me.

[Poet&IKnowIt]

Okay I took the advice of earlier posters and reworked this list. I've got about a 179 and I'm leaning transactional. I have ties to the bay area and SF is preferred. NY is a backup. Let me know if this is too much risk

1. Gibson Dunn (SF) 10
2. MoFo (SF) 21
3. Pillsbury Winthrop (SF) 6
4. K&E (SF) 21
5. Goodwin Procter (SF) 8
6. Latham Watkins (SF) 22
7. Skadden (NY) 42
8. Davis Polk (NY) 42
9. Cleary Gottlieb (NY) 42
10. Paul Weiss (NY) 42
11. O'Melveny (SF) 21
12. Simpson Thatcher (NY) 63
13. Sull Crom (NY) 42
14. Fenwick (Sv) 21
15. Cooley (SF) 42
16. Debevoise (NY) 63
17. Jones Day (SF) 21
18. Cravath (NY) 38
19. Ropes & Gray (SF) 42
20. Milbank Tweed (NY) 21
21. Sheppard Mullin (SF) 21
22. Wilson Sonsini (SV) 40
23. Wilmer Hale (NY) 21

[DoveBodyWash]

Median student. Priority of interest: SV tech - NYC corporate transactional- Chicago corporate transactional.

Commentary would be appreciated.

1. Goodwin – SV – 6
2. Morrison & Foerster – SV – 21
3. K&E – NYC - 21
4. Latham & Watkins – SV – 22
5. Jones Day – Chicago – 42
6. Fenwick – SV (Mountain View) – 21
7. Davis Polk – NYC – 21
8. Paul Weiss – NYC – 42
9. Mayer Brown – Chicago – 73
10. WSGR – SV – 40
11. Gunderson – SV – 21
12. White & Case – NYC -21
13. Simpson Thacher – NYC – 63
14. Debevoise – NYC – 63
15. Cravath – NYC- 38
16. S&C – NYC - 42
17. Fried Frank – NYC – 42
18. Ropes & Gray – NYC – 42
19. Cadwalader – NYC – 21
20. Shearman & Sterling – NYC – 21
===
21. Winston & Strawn – Chicago – 42
22. McDermott – Chicago – 63
23. Perkins – Chicago – 32
24. Schiff & Hardin – Chicago – 84
25. K&L Gates – Chicago – 21
26. Baker & McKenzie – Chicago – 21
27. Katten – Chicago – 42
28. Reed Smith – Chicago – 21
29. Denton – Chicago – 21
30. McGuire – Chicago – 21
31. King & Spalding – NYC – 10

You're going to miss pretty much every Chicago firm on this and you're def missing the NY firms from 17-20. I'd take out S&C given your grades. I wouldn't bid your firms in blocks like this, instead alternate between the three as you go down unless you'd rather have any SV firm over any NY firm, and any NY firm over any Chicago firm or something.

[Emma.]

Median student. Priority of interest: SV tech - NYC corporate transactional- Chicago corporate transactional.

Commentary would be appreciated.

1. Goodwin – SV – 6
2. Morrison & Foerster – SV – 21
3. K&E – NYC - 21
4. Latham & Watkins – SV – 22
5. Jones Day – Chicago – 42
6. Fenwick – SV (Mountain View) – 21
7. Davis Polk – NYC – 21
8. Paul Weiss – NYC – 42
9. Mayer Brown – Chicago – 73
10. WSGR – SV – 40
11. Gunderson – SV – 21
12. White & Case – NYC -21
13. Simpson Thacher – NYC – 63
14. Debevoise – NYC – 63
15. Cravath – NYC- 38
16. S&C – NYC - 42
17. Fried Frank – NYC – 42
18. Ropes & Gray – NYC – 42
19. Cadwalader – NYC – 21
20. Shearman & Sterling – NYC – 21
===
21. Winston & Strawn – Chicago – 42
22. McDermott – Chicago – 63
23. Perkins – Chicago – 32
24. Schiff & Hardin – Chicago – 84
25. K&L Gates – Chicago – 21
26. Baker & McKenzie – Chicago – 21
27. Katten – Chicago – 42
28. Reed Smith – Chicago – 21
29. Denton – Chicago – 21
30. McGuire – Chicago – 21
31. King & Spalding – NYC – 10

If tech/emerging companies work is your goal, why isn't Cooley on your list? And if Chicago is your third-best option, I'd ditch it altogether and just bid Bay Area and NYC.

[Anonymous User]

What is the lowest sure-thing bid for Cravath? I have gotten conflicting answers. Thank you!

[skers]

There is no real sure thing bidding number. There are no safeties. All of this is kind of a guessing game. HTH.

[2014]

What is the lowest sure-thing bid for Cravath? I have gotten conflicting answers. Thank you!

Probably 15 but i'd feel solid about it down to 18 or so.

Me having said that might make people bid it higher however since half your class checks this thread.
Me having said that might make people bid it even higher expecting that half your class to react.
Me having said that might make people say fuck it i'm not bidding Cravath 9th and drop it altogether making it fill later.

Bidding is a shit show, enjoy!

[Crowing]

What is the lowest sure-thing bid for Cravath? I have gotten conflicting answers. Thank you!

It varies a lot from year to year. There were firms that filled 5+ slots apart between ℅ 2015 and '16. We can estimate a general range, but it's just guesswork based on the past. No telling where it will end up this year.

I would advise that if you're particularly attached to a particular firm, move it up a little from recommendations. I would not listen to OCS regarding bidding; I was told I would miss NYC by putting the firms 11-20, which was totally wrong advice.

If you do miss a firm you want, don't give up! Knocking and asking for an interview, from my experience and the experiences of my friends, tends to work well.

[Crowing]

If it would be helpful to y'all I can post my bidlist from last year once I have my computer in front of me.

FYI post-bidding people can technically match up TLS names to RL names by comparing a bidlist with hits/misses with the schedules. But seriously anybody who does this is creepy as fuck.

[beepboopbeep]

I mean pretty much everyone posts bidlists anon, right

I'll have to disagree with Emma on the Bay/NYC bidlist. I'd feel really unsafe w/ SF/SV as one of two markets I'm bidding. It's pretty small and insular. Maybe with more NYC in the middle.

[Emma.]

I mean pretty much everyone posts bidlists anon, right

I'll have to disagree with Emma on the Bay/NYC bidlist. I'd feel really unsafe w/ SF/SV as one of two markets I'm bidding. It's pretty small and insular. Maybe with more NYC in the middle.

I'm not trying to be difficult, but can you explain this? Wouldn't replacing the Chicago spots with more NYC spots make this list safer?