Top Law Schools

I have a little above a 3.1 GPA and am making a bid list for OCI. I want to work for a firm with a strong international group (arbitration, economic sanctions, trade, etc.). So, I am prioritizing that over all else. Prestige does not matter to me beyond the firm receiving interesting cases. International substantive work experience and work culture are my top factors. I would appreciate comments on my list below. I am prioritizing NY and DC (would prefer equal options in both cities).

Freshfields - NY
Sidley Austin - DC
foley hoag - DC (International Arbitration Only)
Akin Gump - DC
White & Case - DC
Herbert Smith Freehills - NY (Global Disputes/Lit Only)
Curtis, Mallet - NY
Vinson & Elkins DC
Linklaters - NY
King & Spalding - NY
Convington - DC
Hogan Lovells- NY
Clifford Chance - NY
Sidley Austin - NY
Hughes Hubbard - NY
Hughes Hubbard - DC
Steptoe & Johnson - DC
WilmerHale - DC
Arnold and Porter - DC
Dechert - NY
WilmerHale - NY
Debevoise - NY
Cleary -NY (only 1)
Norton Rose - DC
Covington - NY
Bilzin Sumberg - MIA
Greenberg Traurig - MIA
Latham Watkins - NY
Reed Smith - NY
Willkie Farr - DC
Orrick - NY
Arnold and Porter - NY
Proskauer - NY
Cooley - NY (Litigation Only)
Milbank - NY
DLA Piper - NY
Baker & McKenzie - NY
Kirkland & Ellis - NY
Baker Botts -DC
Baker Botts - NY
Kirkland & Ellis - DC
Troutman Sanders - NY
Alston & Bird - NY
Brown Rudnick - DC
Venable - DC
Hunton & Williams MIA
Hunton & Williams DC
Boies Schiller - MIA
Willkie Farr - NY

This list is too aggressive for someone with a 3.1 GPA. You should cut many of the DC firms and add more NY firms (you can always do open sign-ups for DC firms and/or network with them at OCI). I am 100% positive you should cut K&E DC, Wilmer DC, A&P DC, and Covington DC. I would personally also cut Debevoise NY, Cleary NY, K&E NY, Wilmer NY, A&P NY, Latham NY, Covington NY, and Boies Miami.

Is there a risk of bidding too conservatively? Of course there is. But the result of that risk is going to a slightly less appealing firm, while making the same money. The consequence of bidding too aggressively is striking out. I had a friend with a similar GPA who struck out because of overly-aggressive bidding, couldn't line up anything 3L, and is now off the biglaw track.

If the solution is as simple as deleting the firms you mentioned and moving up some NY firms, I can fairly painlessly live with that. However, I am pretty partial to my top 20 or so beyond the suggested deletions (still keeping Debevoise and Cleary). Do the other firms (DC ones in particular) need to be reranked/deleted?

FYI foley hoag DC didn't give out any offers last summer, so be careful putting all your eggs in that basket.

Have you run the list by OCS?

Anonymous User wrote:If the solution is as simple as deleting the firms you mentioned and moving up some NY firms, I can fairly painlessly live with that. However, I am pretty partial to my top 20 or so beyond the suggested deletions (still keeping Debevoise and Cleary). Do the other firms (DC ones in particular) need to be reranked/deleted?

"Partiality" to specific firms really shouldn't be your mindset (particularly w/ your gpa). Should be all about maximizing chances of landing a job. Practice group can be considered but should be secondary -- IMO -- to making a bid list that ensures a solid number of interviews (and ultimately an offer).