Which DE firm? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Before you ask, I'm going back to Dewey bc family, boyfriend, friends, actually liked growing up there. Now I'm just deciding on firm, and would appreciate your help.

Eliminated MNAT and Skadden (sort of). Had a screener with MNAT and they haven't gotten back to me... which is strange, but I'm assuming they are out. No interest at all in satellite office with zero chance at making partner.

Thanks in advance!

[eastcoast_iub]

RLF has best name recognition of any local DE firm. Enjoy beautiful Wilmington.

[Anonymous User]

Worked at RLF this summer as a SA. Great time; everyone is very nice and welcoming, and the firm has a good environment overall. Associates say hours can be long but thats true anywhere

[Anonymous User]

DE "BIG 4" RANKINGS: (1) RLF/MNAT (3) YC (4) PA

[AT9]

DE "BIG 4" RANKINGS: (1) RLF/MNAT (3) YC (4) PA

YCST probably has the coolest office though.

RLF is the biggest name of your options and I'd mostly agree with the list above (maybe more (1) RLF/MNAT (2) YC/PA), but I've heard the hours are most brutal at RLF (and MNAT). That said, the difference in hours depends on practice group/partners so that's hard to predict, plus the difference is likely marginal. RLF is the largest firm in DE I believe.

Use the search function to find some good threads on DE firms/life.

[Slytherpuff]

Potter will randomly no-offer summers with no warning. Try to keep them off your list.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

[Anonymous User]

Potter will randomly no-offer summers with no warning. Try to keep them off your list.

Where have you heard this?

[Anonymous User]

Confirmed on Potter, at least a few years back. Summer 2012 they offered 4 of 7, which is why I rejected them. Don't know if it's a pattern.

[Slytherpuff]

Potter will randomly no-offer summers with no warning. Try to keep them off your list.

Where have you heard this?

From a friend who was screwed over and no-offered by them with no indication that their performance was ever unsatisfactory.

Edit: This was pretty recently and it seems to be a pattern for them

[AT9]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus here... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

Why did you like it least?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus here... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

Why did you like it least?

Office felt stuffy, they had associates sharing offices because they don't have enough space, associates talked about how they can't really (and aren't encouraged) remote-in to the office because systems are not good.

Contrast that with Potter/YCST, where everyone was really happy/spaces looked nice.

[Anonymous User]

Potter will randomly no-offer summers with no warning. Try to keep them off your list.

Where have you heard this?

From a friend who was screwed over and no-offered by them with no indication that their performance was ever unsatisfactory.

Edit: This was pretty recently and it seems to be a pattern for them

NALP does show they no-offered one person last year. Hm.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus here... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

Why did you like it least?

Office felt stuffy, they had associates sharing offices because they don't have enough space, associates talked about how they can't really (and aren't encouraged) remote-in to the office because systems are not good.

Contrast that with Potter/YCST, where everyone was really happy/spaces looked nice.

FWIW, those associates are no longer sharing an office. Not sure who told you the remote-in part, as it depends on the group and the system is fine.

[Anonymous User]

Among the homegrown DE firms, there is a divide between RLF/MNAT and YC/PA. The former have the better reputation, name recognition, clients, and exit opportunities. Given your scenario, I'd go with RLF.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus here... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

Why did you like it least?

Office felt stuffy, they had associates sharing offices because they don't have enough space, associates talked about how they can't really (and aren't encouraged) remote-in to the office because systems are not good.

Contrast that with Potter/YCST, where everyone was really happy/spaces looked nice.

FWIW, those associates are no longer sharing an office. Not sure who told you the remote-in part, as it depends on the group and the system is fine.

Seems like you're at RLF. What's compensation look like past year one? Saw on NALP they are lock-step.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. So... RLF seems like the consensus here... but it was the one I liked least out of all my visits. Are they really that much better?

Why did you like it least?

Office felt stuffy, they had associates sharing offices because they don't have enough space, associates talked about how they can't really (and aren't encouraged) remote-in to the office because systems are not good.

Contrast that with Potter/YCST, where everyone was really happy/spaces looked nice.

recent RLF SA here... Office was not stuffy and I saw no doubling-up of offices.. Office is clean, and all SAs got offices

[EzraFitz]

PA did in fact no offer at least one last year. Also, FWIW Skadden made a partner out of the DE office over the summer. I've gotten the general impression from those I know that RLF folks definitely spend the most time in the office itself of the Big 4. Whether that translates to more work, idk.

[Anonymous User]

RLF has the best reputation but terrible hours. PA/YCST have the best environments (also YCST's office is gorgeous inside). Can't say anything for MNAT, dinged at OCI.