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Hi TLS,

So I want to practice in Boston but my only offer there is Goodwin Procter, and I'm deadset on litigation (want to eventually move to government, DOJ or state AGO or something). My other offers are V10 NYC. I'm from Boston and that's where basically all of my family and friends are, but no SO. However, I'm very worried about going to Goodwin, not just because of the recent layoffs (20% of the lit dept), but because litigation associates I've talked to there have generally said they're having trouble making their hours this year, and that such trouble is common in the dept. Additionally, I know the firm does not always respect summer associates' choice between lit and corporate, and may give them an offer in the department they did not request. If I ended up getting a corporate offer at the end of the summer, I'd probably reject it and do 3L OCI (and apply after clerking, if I get a clerkship), maybe try to become a DA, because I feel like corporate vastly limits your exit options into the government. So I'm kind of in an apples or oranges choice here: do I take the offer in the city I'd rather practice in, or the one that offers better job security (where job security also means not being forced into corp.)?

TL; DR: What do people think about picking Goodwin for lit work?

If anyone has inside information on Goodwin (or Cleary/SullCrom) they don't want to share publicly, let me know and I can PM you off anon.

Anon because I also have an offer from a firm listed.

Personally I would be way to risk averse to even consider going to Goodwin for lit with your other options. Even looking past recent layoffs (which obviously you can't really look past) Goodwin's practice in Boston right now is significantly more corp heavy. Things might change, but thats where they stand now. As for Boston, either of those two NY firms will easily get you back to Boston later down the road if you so desire. I vote S&C for lit.

I wouldnt do Goodwin for lit. They have laid off a LOT of their litigation practice and word of mouth from people there is that they aren't looking to expand that practice anytime soon. You'll be doing corporate work, and a lot of it. If you have lit offers in another market, maybe NY, then go there and try and lateral after.

Boston could implode tomorrow, preftige is everlasting. Think of it this way, you could go to Goodwin and roll the dice on being employed in two years, OR taste the sweet nectar of prestige and bathe in the V5 river of gloriousness.