Milbank or White and Case? (New York) Forum

[Anonymous User]

For litigation. If additional info is needed for better advice let me know.

[Anonymous User]

Both firms are more corporate focused. Milbank has a better reputation for firm culture.

[Anonymous User]

I should note that I am open to other practice areas. Definitely leaning towards litigation though.

[Anonymous User]

Are these firms closely enough ranked to have similar exit opportunities?

[ashea]

Curious to learn what people think about White & Case in New York. Really enjoyed my interviews there and liked the people. But that seems to be at odds with its general rep. Any insight from former summers/associates would be helpful!

[Anonymous User]

MIlbank and White & Case have comparably ranked (well-regarded) general commercial litigation practices.

[Anonymous User]

I am curious what people think about Milbank vs White & Case in terms of culture, hours, QoL, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Only the cream goes to White and Case.

[runinthefront]

Only the cream goes to White and Case.

If you were going to add a dumb TLS joke to the thread, did you have to do it anon? Why even post?

[El Pollito]

there is nothing dumb about the cream joke

[Anonymous User]

OP: What's the joke?

[Anonymous User]

The only perspective I can offer is that Milbank does a lot of mutual fund lit. Solid amount of work comes from the big banks.

[Anonymous User]

OP: What's the joke?

[Anonymous User]

White & Case used to be much more preftigious than it currently is (i.e., it was one of the fabled “white shoe firms” back in the day). Some say that White & Case’s biggest mistake was its decision to stick with the banks instead of going with companies several decades ago during a period when many firms were “picking sides.” However, there are other firms that went with the banks that were not affected as adversely by the economic downturn as White & Case. Needless to say, White & Case took a big hit after Lehman and the morale at the firm greatly suffered as a result.

Having said that, things are picking back up at White & Case. They’re going to gradually start increasing summer class sizes as part of a plan to grow the firm (this year’s summer class had between 30~40 people, and next year’s class is expected to have 50+). They’re also moving offices in early 2017, and the new office has some great perks. They are currently located at 1155 Avenue of the Americas (a.k.a. the “Death Star,” owned by the infamous Durst family), and they will be moving to 1221 Avenue of the Americas (a.k.a. the McGraw-Hill Building). They will occupy the top floors of the McGraw-Hill Building, and rumor has it that they’re going to be putting in a White-&-Case-only gym on the top floor with some great views.

Most of the people at the New York office are really nice and easy to work with. “Nice” doesn’t mean that you won’t be worked hard, because you will be (just like any other big-law firm in New York), but it does mean that at least the people aspect of the job isn’t off-putting. It is especially a great place to work if you are interested in doing international work because that is one of the firm’s biggest advantages. If you speak a foreign language (or even if you don’t) and eventually want to live abroad, I think it is much easier to do so at a firm like White & Case than someplace like Milbank. Even if you don’t want to live abroad, there are a lot of opportunities to work on international deals because the New York office constantly interacts with the firm’s global network.

Anyway, I have friends at both firms and they both seem to equally like their jobs. I don’t want to speak for Milbank because I have never worked there, but I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these firms.