Top Law Schools

I think for a long time I assumed I would be crazy to choose any firm other than Paul, Weiss for lit because it is (or at least I perceived it to be) *the* place to learn and practice litigation in NYC.

But I think I just like Debevoise--the culture, the people I've met--more. I should say, some people have told me that working at Paul, Weiss is terrible and draining and demoralizing and I just didn't get that sense when I went in there. Everyone I met there seemed excited to be there, and were perfectly nice. I just don't think I "connected" there like I did with D&P. Still, their reputation and the sorts of headline-making cases they are involved with are hard to pass up.

I guess I just want to hear that it's not crazy or career suicide to choose Debevoise over Paul, Weiss for litigation.

Lol it's definitely not career suicide to go to Debevoise over PW. If you prefer deb, go for it. Paul Weiss has the more famous practice but there might be other advantages to Debevoise, such as the lower leverage.

jbagelboy wrote:Lol it's definitely not career suicide to go to Debevoise over PW. If you prefer deb, go for it. Paul Weiss has the more famous practice but there might be other advantages to Debevoise, such as the lower leverage.

Career suicide to go to Weil over Skadden for lit?

Not crazy, but you do need to consider that you probably met with between 6 and 12 lawyers out of 500+ at each of these firms, so I would temper accordingly your feelings about how you might click with your colleagues at each.

Still, at the end of the day, the difference will likely be negligible in every way, so you may as well go to the place you liked a bit more.

Anyone who is torn between firms should do a "second look". Meet with more people, ask questions that are more candid, etc. Ultinately there may not be a clear "best" choice but in my opinion TLS underrates the importance of "fit."