Milbank (NYC), Willkie Farr (NYC) or Kirkland (Houston) Forum

[pandapandapanda]

Need to make a decision between the three. Don't care if I am in NYC or Houston. Interested in Trusts & Estates and Corporate.
Just want to choose the best firm to start my career. Would appreciate any and all input from present or past associates or summer associates.

[RaceJudicata]

Easiest question in TLS history. Kirkland & Ellis, HOUSTON. Why you may ask?

1. Rockstar, young partners.
2. Formidable deal team.
3. Unbelievable culture.
4. Cream of the crop in Houston.
5. Did I mention, crushing the deal tables?
6. Profitability.
7. Other firms fear you, and will literally forego thousands -- no millions -- in fees in order to avoid the legendary KE HOUSTON guys and gals.

[2014]

This seems ridiculous, no one is truly ambivalent between Houston and NYC. The type of work you do is going to be wildly different too even if all of it is "corporate". If your interests are in T&E most big firms have like 5 T&E lawyers so i'd think about where those lawyers at these three firms are (probably not in Houston but who knows) and if they need new people in their group (probably no but who knows).

[stoopkid13]

I agree that Houston/New york is a big unanswerable but how would you guys stack the two ny firms against each other?

[Clearly]

I agree that Houston/New york is a big unanswerable but how would you guys stack the two ny firms against each other?

Personally I'd go Wilkie

[itbdvorm]

Need to make a decision between the three. Don't care if I am in NYC or Houston. Interested in Trusts & Estates and Corporate.
Just want to choose the best firm to start my career. Would appreciate any and all input from present or past associates or summer associates.

Do any of these firms actually have T&E practices?

[Anonymous User]

Milbank does but who knows if it's any good.

[pandapandapanda]

I agree that Houston/New york is a big unanswerable but how would you guys stack the two ny firms against each other?

Personally I'd go Wilkie

Why is that?

[Anonymous User]

I work at one of the two NY firms. I have no idea why you would not choose Kirkland in this scenario just based on COL considerations alone. Your biglaw life is short and you get much less money out of it in NY unless you live in a roach infested 6th floor walkup above a dive bar to save money. Enjoy your sweet apt/house and no state tax.

[jbagelboy]

It comes down entirely to city preference. Between Willkie and Milbank, I'd go Milbank for specifically cross-border/Latin America/international work, and Willkie if you don't have that interest and you just want a relatively positive large firm environment with high quality corporate practice.

[Anonymous User]

Would it be easier to move to Kirkland Houston after 2 years at Willkie/Milbank in NYC, or vice versa?

[pandapandapanda]

I work at one of the two NY firms. I have no idea why you would not choose Kirkland in this scenario just based on COL considerations alone. Your biglaw life is short and you get much less money out of it in NY unless you live in a roach infested 6th floor walkup above a dive bar to save money. Enjoy your sweet apt/house and no state tax.

Just because I hear that starting your biglaw career in NYC, and in a firm's headquarters, is so much better than starting it elsewhere. You're absolutely right about COL, but I don't want to decided based on short-term satisfaction goals.

[jbagelboy]

I work at one of the two NY firms. I have no idea why you would not choose Kirkland in this scenario just based on COL considerations alone. Your biglaw life is short and you get much less money out of it in NY unless you live in a roach infested 6th floor walkup above a dive bar to save money. Enjoy your sweet apt/house and no state tax.

Just because I hear that starting your biglaw career in NYC, and in a firm's headquarters, is so much better than starting it elsewhere. You're absolutely right about COL, but I don't want to decided based on short-term satisfaction goals.

The people that say this are partners in new york firms that need new bodies. I am not convinced that starting your career in new york is a prerequisite for anything (except maybe partnership at one of the few very lateral-unfriendly elite new york firms).