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Deciding between these two. I know i want lit, but which kind specifically I don't know, so keeping my options open would be nice. I also do care about culture. I liked the people I met at both...they all seemed friendly and generally very nice. Unfortunately travel constraints have kept me from doing second looks (requires flying). So, assuming I can't do second looks, does anyone know what the general "reputation" is, to the extent that there is one, for each of these firms?

Thanks!

Weil is Band 2 on Chambers, and Gibson is 1. Unless you have some compelling reason for Weil, I'd just go with Gibson.

Thanks! I did note that, but it seems some TLSers say it's stupid to just look at Chambers band rankings, so I was wary about putting too much weight on that. Any reason in this case it's worth taking the Band 1 v. Band 2 distinction more seriously? Also have heard some mixed things about Weil's culture...can anyone offer any insight on that, or anything about Gibson?

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks! I did note that, but it seems some TLSers say it's stupid to just look at Chambers band rankings, so I was wary about putting too much weight on that. Any reason in this case it's worth taking the Band 1 v. Band 2 distinction more seriously?

I do think it's dumb sometimes (Boies on 2, for example). If you don't have any other preference, however, you might as well go with whichever one is generally seen as "better" if you don't want to do second looks.

So perhaps this is a really stupid question, but which is generally perceived as "better"?

Gibson is generally seen as better for lit (anonymous TLS poll confirms).

Accidental anon above.

great, very helpful, thanks! i can't find much on TLS about the culture/personality types at these firms (especially about gibson's ny office). i know it's impossible to generalize and that a lot of it may simply depend on which partners/practice group i end up with, but just wondering if there's anything that people might be able to share.

Gibson is the clear choice here, better culture, prestige, and work.

Nekrowizard wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Thanks! I did note that, but it seems some TLSers say it's stupid to just look at Chambers band rankings, so I was wary about putting too much weight on that. Any reason in this case it's worth taking the Band 1 v. Band 2 distinction more seriously?

I do think it's dumb sometimes (Boies on 2, for example). If you don't have any other preference, however, you might as well go with whichever one is generally seen as "better" if you don't want to do second looks.

I think chambers is probably the most reliable listing of firm tiers/groupings available to law students. It's not gospel and there are erroneous placements of firms into bands, but its pretty representative.

Gibson is not a new york firm, but I still think its nationwide presence justifies choosing it here over Weil, given your interests.

I previously made the choice between Gibson and Weil for litigation, did second looks. and chose Weil. There are some major differences. What kind of worker are you? Are you someone who will thrive in a free market system?