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Pretty confused which direction to go in here. The factors in my decision:

• Interested in litigation.
  
  QOL is a very big factor. I know hours will roughly be the same (maybe CSM more), but one thing that stood out to me at DPW was that there is a strong culture of taking the 4 weeks vacation and not generally disturbing people on it. As someone with a non-big law SO, that is pretty key for me, and I got the sense from CSM associates that they hadn't taken a vacation in forever. Similar vibe from S&C. People at these firms: Any info here would be greatly appreciated!
  
  Exit options of course - but these seem similar across all 3 (placing into AUSA etc.) However, from speaking with associates, I get the sense that younger people at CSM get more hands on experience (depositions etc.) This is just the result of how deals are staffed under the rotation system and general as lean as possible mentality. Presumably, the more of that sort of work you get, the easier the AUSA transition is.

Any help would be appreciated! I know this topic has been rehashed but new perspectives would be useful. STB and Skadden are also options, but not into latter b/c of sweatshop reputation and large size, and former is so similar to DPW that I see little reason for STB (liked DPW culture more).

People at DPW take 4 week vacations?

Depends on how you feel about Cravath's rotation system. If you're not a fan then I vote DPW

Do second looks with litigation department folks so you can meet people you will be working with. Best to specify what kind of litigation you wanna do. I'd just go with my gut after that. I highly doubt you'd only be working 11 months a year at DPW.

PeanutsNJam wrote:I highly doubt you'd only be working 11 months a year at DPW.

Right, but I think OP just meant DPW takes more vacation than SC/CSM. 4 weeks or not that is can be an important factor

DPW Junior - most people take all four weeks every year. Have no clue if that is or is not true at the others though, it may be. Anecdotally, I have a friend at S&C doing lit and it seems like he is on vacation like monthly.

I would do second looks and base it on fit - all do good work of the same nature. Cravath's rotations is a good differentiating factor if fit doesn't give you a clear answer.

Anonymous User wrote:DPW Junior - most people take all four weeks every year. Have no clue if that is or is not true at the others though, it may be. Anecdotally, I have a friend at S&C doing lit and it seems like he is on vacation like monthly.

I would do second looks and base it on fit - all do good work of the same nature. Cravath's rotations is a good differentiating factor if fit doesn't give you a clear answer.

How many hours did you bill last year/are on track to bill this year? How many hours would you say you billed over the entirety of vacation?

I considered these three as well for litigation and picked Davis Polk. I liked the people best, the work environment seemed most humane, and it appeared to have the best government/AUSA connections. Many prominent lit partners brought in recently from US attorney's offices and dozens of DPW alums in high profile positions in the judiciary and various agencies. The quality of work and reputation will be the same across all three, and securities litigation will be dominant.

S&C would be stronger in arbitration; DPW and S&C have a more global practice with white collar cases coming out of Hong Kong, London and Paris.

It only makes sense for this poll to be split evenly between the three firms.

daedalus2309 wrote:Depends on how you feel about Cravath's rotation system. If you're not a fan then I vote DPW

I agree with this.

Feel free to PM; I was an associate at one of these firms and I have/had friends at the other two.

Either DPW associate: What sorts of responsibilities do you get as a young associate? E.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd year? Is the idea that Cravath lit associates get more hands on work earlier total flame? Thank you - this is immensely helpful!