"Why Texas?" Lateral Interview Question Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am pretty sure that this thread has been created in some iteration before, but I'm having a hard time finding it.

Current NYC v20 capital markets / M&A associate prepping for a lateral interview at a top/native Houston firm. I have no Texas ties. Really just looking to move to a cheaper market, begin investing in real estate, build an adult life, etc. Anyone have tips on how to answer this question believably? Would appreciate pointers from lateral candidates who have successfully done this.

[Anonymous User]

I am pretty sure that this thread has been created in some iteration before, but I'm having a hard time finding it.

Current NYC v20 capital markets / M&A associate prepping for a lateral interview at a top/native Houston firm. I have no Texas ties. Really just looking to move to a cheaper market, begin investing in real estate, build an adult life, etc. Anyone have tips on how to answer this question believably? Would appreciate pointers from lateral candidates who have successfully done this.

Doable but will be tough, especially at one of the native firms. Broke into the market during law school with no tissues at a native TX firm. But wasn't easy and was a deal killer for some. Now at one of the non- TX HQ firms in town. There a lot more transplants with weak / no ties at Latham and KE. But "Why TX" will still be a focus point. Best bet for someone like you with no ties focusing on Houston is to emphasize energy. You want to be an energy attorney. You think it is a great industry with a lot of opportunity. etc. etc. Helpful here would be to get smart on energy deals by reading WSJ Energy biz section. A related point, make sure you are comfortable being in energy (which primarily will be upstream areas midstream oil and gas). Happy to PM if want to reveal username and then delete it. Good luck.

Apologies for typos, on phone.

[Anonymous User]

Let me know if you wanna discuss over PM. Shouldn't be too difficult but lateral market has dried up a lot versus earlier this year when the firms were very busy. KE/Latham a lot easier than Bb/VE for no ties. Tell them you're ready to stop paying NYC rent prices (smile and laugh), that you want a better balance of QOL while still getting sophisticated deal work and have really enjoyed the xyz trips to Texas. It's fine to say you're looking to settle down somewhere. Make sure to hit that the deal work is super sophisticated etc (stroke that ego a bit) and that's why Houston is so attractive to you coming from NYC. Also depending on firm, can hit your Capital markets experience. Energy makes up like 1/3 of capital markets (i.e. You don't have a ton other options outside NYC for CM).

Gluck!

[jjjetplane]

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