Philadelphia Big Law Forum

[Anonymous User]

I was wondering if anyone could provide some insights into the Philadelphia legal market. I am considering applying to some Philly firms but don't know if there is any relevant buzz. Some of the big firms went to 180, but I am equally interested in any insights into the other firms with respect to quality of life, associate attrition, etc.

I realize NALP and Chambers provides information, but feel the new raises to 180 make Philadelphia more of a consideration for some. Any TLS insiders care to share some knowledge?

[Anonymous User]

tag

[Anonymous User]

Go to a Philly school, SA at a Philly firm that went to 180 (I'm in a major market office, not Philly).

Can't say much about the details of the individual firms, but from my classmates that work in Philly, it seems like the top firms and ones where most of my classmates went are:

Morgan Lewis
Dechert
Drinker
Ballard Spahr
Pepper Hamilton
Blank Rome
Duane Morris
Cozen

Some of those might not be in the correct order for prestige, but the bolded are the only that I know of paying 180k.

[Anonymous User]

Don't forget Reed Smith. They're moving to 160k in the Philly office.

[Anonymous User]

Go to a Philly school as well, bid pretty exclusively on Philly/DE firms at OCI and I'm splitting between one and my 1L summer firm in a smaller market. My understanding is this based on talking to people:

Dechert: Pretty much top of the market, but quality of life sucks. A partner there matter-of-factly told me that "that's how it is, might as well suck it up and play your role." I know two summers from last year who turned down their offers/did 3L OCI. I ended up canceling my CB.
Morgan Lewis: Peers with Dechert but QOL is a little better.
Drinker, Ballard Spahr, Pepper Hamilton, Blank Rome, Reed Smith, Duane Morris, Cozen*: My understanding is these are pretty much the same in terms of prestige (could be wrong here; someone correct me). Spoke to a Pepper Hamilton associate during my CB that said the QOL there sucked so that steered me away there, but I'd assume the rest are pretty typical Philly biglaw firms re: hours/work/QOL. I really liked the people at Cozen.
Fox Rothschild: Weirdest CB ever imo. Partner bragged about being below Philly market (although I don't think they're really that far under at 135K). I liked their emphasis on younger associates bringing in business but the people there were really weird.

As an aside, Wilmington firms are really underrated imo. The big ones (Morris Nichols, Potter, etc.) all pay 160K, and some of the V50 satellites there pay 180K. The commute from Philly to Wilmington isn't bad (30 mins) and 160K is a steal there. If you're interested in corporate work or bankruptcy at all, DE may not be a bad alternative to the Philly firms.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a T14 2L and am considering ML/Dechert and Skadden DE. I can't find much on ML, but have heard that Skadden DE has crazy hours. Can anyone shed some light on ML Philly, especially with respect to hours.

Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Go to a Philly school, SA at a Philly firm that went to 180 (I'm in a major market office, not Philly).

Can't say much about the details of the individual firms, but from my classmates that work in Philly, it seems like the top firms and ones where most of my classmates went are:

Morgan Lewis
Dechert
Drinker
Ballard Spahr
Pepper Hamilton
Blank Rome
Duane Morris
Cozen

Some of those might not be in the correct order for prestige, but the bolded are the only that I know of paying 180k.

I'm an associate at one of these firms (NOT Dechert/ML/Pepper). I was T14 (top 15%+LR etc), chose my firm/Philly for QOL, and haven't been disappointed. When I talk to my friends in NYC, it's almost like we're in different professions. I still bill 1900+ etc., but things are generally pretty manageable, and the people I work with are a friendly bunch. While it all boils down to practice group and the specific partners you work for, weekend work is pretty rare. I think some of the Philly firms see quality of life as a clear selling point, and somewhat justifiably don't feel that they need to match the higher paying shops.

[Anonymous User]

tag

[Anonymous User]

what are the exits like at a top philly firm?

[SportsFan]

I work in government/PI in Philly, feel free to PM me with any questions about the market. I can't really answer specific questions about working in biglaw since I never have, but I should be able to help with just about anything else.

Go to a Philly school, SA at a Philly firm that went to 180 (I'm in a major market office, not Philly).

Can't say much about the details of the individual firms, but from my classmates that work in Philly, it seems like the top firms and ones where most of my classmates went are:

Morgan Lewis
Dechert
Drinker
Ballard Spahr
Pepper Hamilton
Blank Rome
Duane Morris
Cozen

Some of those might not be in the correct order for prestige, but the bolded are the only that I know of paying 180k.

Not that any of this really matters, but IMO Dechert>MLB>>>Ballard>Pepper>>>>Drinker/BlankRome/DuaneMorris/Cozen.

[Anonymous User]

Could anyone shed light on the QOL reputations at Ballard, Pepper, and Blank Rome?

[Anonymous User]

I know of two former LS cohorts that work at Morgan and they like It there.

There may be an update to this but I was told that Pepper hasn’t announced if they were going to raise associate salaries. I think they are at 145...could be 160.

[Anonymous User]

Deleted

[Anonymous User]

Dechert has financial problems. PSA.

Incoming dechert SA. How concerned should I be?

[Anonymous User]

Deleted

[lateralschmateral]

Bumping cause I'm interested in lateraling from NYC to Philly for better work-life balance, and eyeying Ballard, Blank Rome and Cozen in particular. Could anyone provide insights into the hours, culture and compensation at these firms?