A&O (NY) vs. Milbank (NY) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm deciding between these two offers at the moment, and I really enjoyed my CBs with both firms, but I'm not sure I'm being very discerning/effective, because I've enjoyed all of my CBs so far. I'm interested in transactional work generally, and I like that both firms are fairly active internationally (but A&O probably more so?). It also seems that Milbank has a specific area where it excels (project finance), whereas A&O is sort of more generalist on the transactional side. Not sure how accurate that is, but it's the impression I got during CBs. I know that it would help if I had a better idea of what specific transactional practice area I want, but I don't--though I will say that project finance and capital markets seemed really interesting, but that might be more about how the interviewers presented them. Any help is appreciated, and feel free to ask me questions, because I probably don't know enough to provide all of the relevant information.

[Anonymous User]

OP again: For A&O, I really liked the idea of working in such a small office, but I was also worried about the stability of being such a small outpost of a firm headquartered in London. Is that a reasonable concern? There was a post a few years ago that spoke of rumors that A&O was struggling/losing money in NY, but I didn't see that claim repeated anywhere else, so I'm not sure what to make of it.

[deepseapartners]

If the idea of a magic circle firm (and all the differences entailed therein) doesn't appeal to you, then you should choose Milbank.

[Anonymous User]

If the idea of a magic circle firm (and all the differences entailed therein) doesn't appeal to you, then you should choose Milbank.

I'm not sure I fully understand these. The main difference that was stressed during my CB was the greater opportunity for cross-border work, which I did find appealing, and I do like the idea of eventually doing an overseas rotation. As I mentioned above, I also liked the idea of working in a smaller office. Were there other differences you had in mind?

[Anonymous User]

Milbank's project finance group is known for their cross-border work. Would probably help if you were interested in Latin America or had language competency but it's there.

I don't know what the "Magic Circle" differences are, besides being an outpost, so I can't speak to that.

[Anonymous User]

A&O is very well-known for its international project finance. Milbank's NY office might be stronger, but I doubt their international presence is as strong as A&O's. I think if you want to do a rotation or work overseas, A&O would have an advantage. As for losing money, it doesn't necessarily matter in that A&O's NY office won't be closing down anytime soon. I doubt you will need to worry about that. From my general sense of things (having summered in one of their offices and interviewed for the NY office) is that despite being a London HQ firm, they are putting resources into ensuring the growth of the NY office and will continue to. It's generally harder for London based firms in NY verses NY firms in London. I don't know much about Milbank, so I can't compare.

Also, there is some truth in the fact that cross-border sounds sexy, but the crappy reality of it is you will have to deal with the time differences. One of the things I really liked when I was summering at A&O is that the offices are very well connected. You'll work quite often with people from other offices.

[Anonymous User]

A&O is very well-known for its international project finance. Milbank's NY office might be stronger, but I doubt their international presence is as strong as A&O's. I think if you want to do a rotation or work overseas, A&O would have an advantage. As for losing money, it doesn't necessarily matter in that A&O's NY office won't be closing down anytime soon. I doubt you will need to worry about that. From my general sense of things (having summered in one of their offices and interviewed for the NY office) is that despite being a London HQ firm, they are putting resources into ensuring the growth of the NY office and will continue to. It's generally harder for London based firms in NY verses NY firms in London. I don't know much about Milbank, so I can't compare.

Also, there is some truth in the fact that cross-border sounds sexy, but the crappy reality of it is you will have to deal with the time differences. One of the things I really liked when I was summering at A&O is that the offices are very well connected. You'll work quite often with people from other offices.

I'm not necessarily worried about the office closing down, but if the firm at some point feels that it needs to trim some fat/associates, it seems like the office losing them money would be a natural place to start. Again, though, I'm not sure if there's any truth to that.

On a separate note, is there a significant difference in housing near A&O (Midtown) and Milbank (new office in Hudson Yards)? I'd like to be as close to the office as I can afford, so it makes a difference if housing prices near the two offices differ substantially.

[Anonymous User]

Curious how long it took for you to get the offer for both firms, as I had and have CB with both.
I had A&O CB last Thursday afternoon, but haven't heard back. Am I out of luck now?

[Anonymous User]

Curious how long it took for you to get the offer for both firms, as I had and have CB with both.
I had A&O CB last Thursday afternoon, but haven't heard back. Am I out of luck now?

I think you have a day or two before I would worry.

[Anonymous User]

What about Milbank? What's the turnaround like?

[Anonymous User]

What about Milbank? What's the turnaround like?

Turnaround was pretty much identical at both firms.

[Anonymous User]

What about Milbank? What's the turnaround like?

I got an offer two days after my callback. Seems like it depends on the people doing the interview.

[Anonymous User]

On a separate note, is there a significant difference in housing near A&O (Midtown) and Milbank (new office in Hudson Yards)? I'd like to be as close to the office as I can afford, so it makes a difference if housing prices near the two offices differ substantially.

the difference is marginal. anything in the new Hudson Yards complex will be significantly more expensive of course, but there are options near by that won't really differ in cost from what you will find in midtown.