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Hi all. I've been very lucky to have received several offers but I think I have narrowed it down to Shearman or White & Case for various reasons and would love help.

I am strongly leaning towards transactional work but not quite sure which (finance seems interesting based on the little exposure I've had to the work and the people). I want to explore. I want a firm with lots of cross-border deals and offices around the world, which is why I narrowed it down to these two.

I am open to the idea of working abroad for a few years, too, and speak a few languages (conversationally fluent, probably can't do business) but none of the major languages (e.g., not Spanish, French, Portuguese, Mandarin, etc.).

If anyone has any experience or anecdata re: the people, the work, the atmosphere, location, exit options, etc. or help me figure out what else I need to consider at this point, I'd appreciate the input!

From what I've heard White & Case has a better atmosphere. Employees are happier there.

Would also like to hear about this

Anonymous User wrote:From what I've heard White & Case has a better atmosphere. Employees are happier there.

And from my personal experience it's the opposite, so this isn't helpful

OP you're choosing between two firms that do a ton of the same general style work so it really depends on how you felt at either place. Shearman is exceedingly open to letting you try out a different office, save for Paris (highly competitive due to its strong arbitration practice which you probably don't care about). I personally wouldn't go to a German office if I didn't speak German but you could go to London or Hong Kong no problem. Give it a try during your summer.

white and case lathamed more people than latham itself during the recession. i honestly wouldnt consider an offer from white and case unless it was literally your only option. look up the 5 year plan they put out last year in 2015 about expanding headcount in their NY and London offices. that was before brexit. white and case is in a bit of a flux right now as a firm. also literally b/c the firm is moving in spring 2017 to a new office in NY. remember that you're taking a job you will be starting 2 years from now. you have no idea what the economy is going to look like then. white and case would be a dangerous bet imo.