Top Law Schools

Looking for transactional law. Liked who I talked to in both places, but definitely don't have the full view. Which do you think is the better choice? Feel free to separate based on culture v. practice group strength.

Both are elite New York corporate shops but Debevoise 1) had no mass layoffs during the recession and 2) has pure lockstep partner compensation. Job security just seems stronger at Debevoise.

Anonymous User wrote:Both are elite New York corporate shops but Debevoise 1) had no mass layoffs during the recession and 2) has pure lockstep partner compensation. Job security just seems stronger at Debevoise.

Let's not abuse the anonymous feature. There's nothing in this post that requires anonymity.

To answer the question: I think it's a tough call. While I agree that both firms are pretty "elite," they're not quite in the Cravath/Sullivan/Davis/Simpson group that is elite in virtually every practice group--point being that even a slight interest in a particular practice area that one excels at (e.g. private M&A, particularly funds --> Debevoise; debt capital markets --> Latham) could tip the scales.

Culture should also come into play. I think Debevoise has a reputation as being perhaps the most genteel firm in NYC; Latham has a reputation as being a bit frattier. If practice areas don't speak to you, maybe the difference in cultures will.

Best of luck. You have two great options and can't really go wrong, but there are differences between the two. Also consider how long you want to be in NYC; it might be easier to move if you're at Latham, since they have offices nationwide.

Anonymous User wrote:Both are elite New York corporate shops but Debevoise 1) had no mass layoffs during the recession and 2) has pure lockstep partner compensation. Job security just seems stronger at Debevoise.

The recession thing doesn't bother me so much. It seems like they are trying to move on from that and I don't think another recession that bad is coming.

SLS_AMG wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Both are elite New York corporate shops but Debevoise 1) had no mass layoffs during the recession and 2) has pure lockstep partner compensation. Job security just seems stronger at Debevoise.

Let's not abuse the anonymous feature. There's nothing in this post that requires anonymity.

To answer the question: I think it's a tough call. While I agree that both firms are pretty "elite," they're not quite in the Cravath/Sullivan/Davis/Simpson group that is elite in virtually every practice group--point being that even a slight interest in a particular practice area that one excels at (e.g. private M&A, particularly funds --> Debevoise; debt capital markets --> Latham) could tip the scales.

Culture should also come into play. I think Debevoise has a reputation as being perhaps the most genteel firm in NYC; Latham has a reputation as being a bit frattier. If practice areas don't speak to you, maybe the difference in cultures will.

Best of luck. You have two great options and can't really go wrong, but there are differences between the two. Also consider how long you want to be in NYC; it might be easier to move if you're at Latham, since they have offices nationwide.

Thanks, this is helpful. I'm going for second looks, so hopefully that will help. I feel like securities and finance might interest me, but not 100%.

I think Latham has the better reputation. Debevoise the better people.

I've worked with both though, and nothing really distinguished about either from my perspective.

Anonymous User wrote:I think Latham has the better reputation. Debevoise the better people.

I've worked with both though, and nothing really distinguished about either from my perspective.

Nationally perhaps. But in NYC I think Debevoise is a stronger brand.

SLS_AMG wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I think Latham has the better reputation. Debevoise the better people.

I've worked with both though, and nothing really distinguished about either from my perspective.

Nationally perhaps. But in NYC I think Debevoise is a stronger brand.

Basically, these firms are both great. Reputation in NYC slightly leans to Deb, but Latham is well regarded everywhere, so it offers good international resources. For people, Deb has the better rep, but it's up to you.

Choosing one over the other will not change your professional opportunities that much, so just go with who you think you like more.

I think Latham has better reputation generally and certainly that carries over in nyc as well

Anonymous User wrote:I think Latham has better reputation generally and certainly that carries over in nyc as well

http://www.vault.com/company-rankings/l ... ?sRankID=9

Except it certainly doesn't. Prestige isn't necessarily tied to Vault rankings, but I'd say they're worth more to OP than the opinion of a single anon abuser on TLS.

Putting the vault rankings aside--they tend to cheapen the discussion--Debevoise certainly has a more established brand in New York than Latham. The fact that Latham is better known in Texas, Los Angeles, or Asia does not change that. If you want to build a career in new york and you care about general reputation, Debevoise has a discernible edge.

That doesn't necessarily mean you should choose Deb, just a clarification.

How much better is Debevoise in NY? I thought it was better but not that much.

Also, are their differences in exit options? Do certain companies hire more from one than the other?

Anonymous User wrote:How much better is Debevoise in NY? I thought it was better but not that much.

Also, are their differences in exit options? Do certain companies hire more from one than the other?

I would view these firms as roughly equivalents in NY, with each having areas in which they are superior. I've never really understood the Debevoise Kool-Aid (and have some friends who had really bad experiences there) but there are those who seemingly love it.

Can anybody speak to the Financial Institutions work at Latham? Seems like they are doing a lot of advanced fintech things compared to Debevoise.

I'm in a similar situation. Anybody know which is better if you feel like you might want to exit to a bank?

bump

so torn right now

Ten strangers have given you opinions and another 54 have votes; it's also been 20+ days since your original post. Have you narrowed down the issues you have with going to one vs the other? Idk how much more this thread can help with your decision-making. I will say that if you go to one and end up not liking your summer, you could always just reapply to the other firm during 3L. They'll likely call you back again

runinthefront wrote:Ten strangers have given you opinions and another 54 have votes; it's also been 20+ days since your original post. Have you narrowed down the issues you have with going to one vs the other? Idk how much more this thread can help with your decision-making. I will say that if you go to one and end up not liking your summer, you could always just reapply to the other firm during 3L. They'll likely call you back again

Not the same person, but I am making a similar choice. My question is if I not interested in private equity or funds, would Debevoise still be the better choice?

Anonymous User wrote:

runinthefront wrote:Ten strangers have given you opinions and another 54 have votes; it's also been 20+ days since your original post. Have you narrowed down the issues you have with going to one vs the other? Idk how much more this thread can help with your decision-making. I will say that if you go to one and end up not liking your summer, you could always just reapply to the other firm during 3L. They'll likely call you back again

Not the same person, but I am making a similar choice. My question is if I not interested in private equity or funds, would Debevoise still be the better choice?

I am not sure Debevoise would be the better choice if you were interested in private equity or funds. I guess their fund formation group, sure. But I see Latham on the PE side much more often than Debevoise.

itbdvorm wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

runinthefront wrote:Ten strangers have given you opinions and another 54 have votes; it's also been 20+ days since your original post. Have you narrowed down the issues you have with going to one vs the other? Idk how much more this thread can help with your decision-making. I will say that if you go to one and end up not liking your summer, you could always just reapply to the other firm during 3L. They'll likely call you back again

Not the same person, but I am making a similar choice. My question is if I not interested in private equity or funds, would Debevoise still be the better choice?

I am not sure Debevoise would be the better choice if you were interested in private equity or funds. I guess their fund formation group, sure. But I see Latham on the PE side much more often than Debevoise.

To be fair, the relative size of the firms may be more indicative of why you see more Latham than Debevoise.