Top Law Schools

Dear TLS, please help me make a decision between Munger (SF), Gibson Dunn (SF) and Skadden (NY) for a 1L SA position. I recognize that I am in a very privileged position, and I am very grateful for that, but I cannot, for God’s sake, make a decision. I definitely want to be in CA long-term. Strong business background, but no clue what transactional practice looks like v. litigation, so no idea which one I would enjoy more. International exposure in the long run is also desirable (go into development work or something similar + part time teaching in 10+ years). T14, top 5%, URM. Thank you for your input!

Not Skadden.

Eliminate Skadden b/c you know you want to be in CA long-term. Munger would be better if you knew you wanted litigation, but since you're not sure which way you want to go, I'd say Gibson.

As a former Skadden 1L SA, don't rule out it just because you want to be in CA long term.

You obviously have the grades to get plenty of CA offers during OCI. If you potentially want to be at Munger or Gibson after graduation, go for it. If you have other firms in mind that you might prefer, a NYC 1L Scholar at Skadden will look great on your resume and you will get an experience you otherwise won't get.

OP shouldn't go to Skadden NY because it's Skadden NY.

smaug wrote:OP shouldn't go to Skadden NY because it's Skadden NY.

yea, pretty much this. also, no one in CA (esp. the Bay Area) gives much of a shit about Skadden--they'll be much more impressed with the other choices.

sundance95 wrote:

smaug wrote:OP shouldn't go to Skadden NY because it's Skadden NY.

yea, pretty much this. also, no one in CA (esp. the Bay Area) gives much of a shit about Skadden--they'll be much more impressed with the other choices.

You really, really hate the big NY firms.

If nothing else, getting a 1L SA at Skadden has a strong signal effect. Bay Area lawyers might not care much about Skadden, but they know the NYC office is one of the premier offices in the legal world and that it isn't easy to get a 1L scholar position there. Skadden NY also offers a lot more diverse work in terms of lit+corporate than either of those firms. Gibson SF is almost entirely lit - most of their corporate work comes out of Menlo park.

I just think there is something to getting a new experience in your life. 1L summer is a great opportunity for that. I don't think going to one firm or the other significantly alters OPs options via OCI.

OP have you thought about splitting between firms?

No guarantee they will allow you to but it may be worth asking.

Isn't Munger more prestigigiosu than Skadden?

Desert Fox wrote:Isn't Munger more prestigigiosu than Skadden?

Contrary to Skadden troll's beliefs, GDC SF and MTO both are much more PREFTIGIOUS than Skadden.

There's no reason to go to Skadden here.

accidental anon

TLS' Anti-Skadden Complex has never been more severe.

JimmyConway wrote:TLS' Anti-Skadden Complex has never been more severe.

(Skadden summer who registered just to troll for his firm.)

I know many fine folks at Skadden. I pity them.

smaug wrote:

JimmyConway wrote:TLS' Anti-Skadden Complex has never been more severe.

(Skadden summer who registered just to troll for his firm.)

I know many fine folks at Skadden. I pity them.

.

facepalm

Anonymous User wrote:

smaug wrote:

JimmyConway wrote:TLS' Anti-Skadden Complex has never been more severe.

(Skadden summer who registered just to troll for his firm.)

I know many fine folks at Skadden. I pity them.

OP, this Skadden hater has 8,300+ posts on a law school forum. You will not find people like this at Skadden NY. Interpret this fact as you will.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Conway.

OP, I'm not a coward who hides behind anon to troll for my firm here or anywhere else.

If you want to chat about things very frankly, shoot me a PM. I can even give you the contact info of some nice folks at Skadden (lit and M&A) who can tell you what it's like.

Great sockpuppeting though. Very stable.

Anonymous User wrote: If nothing else, getting a 1L SA at Skadden has a strong signal effect. Bay Area lawyers might not care much about Skadden, but they know the NYC office is one of the premier offices in the legal world.

No we don't. We basically just group it in with the rest of the big-law NYC sweat shops.

Anonymous User wrote:You really, really hate the big NY firms.

Uh, no. I just know how Skadden is perceived in my market. Sorry if you think Skadden NY should be considered more prestigious or whatever out here, but it isn't, and given OP's preference for California it is easily the odd firm out here.

sundance95 wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:You really, really hate the big NY firms.

Uh, no. I just know how Skadden is perceived in my market. Sorry if you think Skadden NY should be considered more prestigious or whatever out here, but it isn't, and given OP's preference for California it is easily the odd firm out here.

I agree if you are referring to Skadden Palo Alto. E.g., in NY, a lateral from Cooley/Fenwick/WSGR SF/SV is recognized as having come from a top firm in its respective market.

OP here, the firms don't allow 1Ls to split. Must make a choice. Am I correct is saying that the difference between GDC and Munger is virtually non-existent, at least, when it comes to CA? Would one of them look better on my resume in case I end up hating litigation and want to get a 2L SA in transactional? Are there any distinguishing points at all (other than the culture)? Thanks!

Anonymous User wrote:OP here, the firms don't allow 1Ls to split. Must make a choice. Am I correct is saying that the difference between GDC and Munger is virtually non-existent, at least, when it comes to CA? Would one of them look better on my resume in case I end up hating litigation and want to get a 2L SA in transactional? Are there any distinguishing points at all (other than the culture)? Thanks!

Munger looks better overall. As for the lit/trans distinction, I really wouldn't worry about that kind of thing for a 1L SA. You've got two summers to figure that out.

Check chambers and partners if there is some weirdly specific practice group that you absolutely have to try this summer. Barring that, the consensus is that Munger is the more prestigious firm here. It's probably one of the hardest firms to get into period (from my T10's OCI at least...)

I would say Gibson because of the transactional stuff but I don't think they do enough trans in SF for it to matter. Whatever you choose you're going to be absolutely fine so don't stress.

Tiago Splitter wrote:I would say Gibson because of the transactional stuff but I don't think they do enough trans in SF for it to matter. Whatever you choose you're going to be absolutely fine so don't stress.

+1