If you could go to any firm in the country, where would it be? Forum

[unlicensedpotato]

Everyone knew where this thread was going -- it took a little bit to get there but now we're rolling

[Anonymous User]

Wachtell even for lit. They have a phenomenal litigation practice and they get paid the same as corp.

I would not want to be an associate in litigation at Wachtell. The teams are hierarchical and there are barely any stand up opportunities for paying clients until senior partnership. Wachtell doesn’t have the bandwidth to take on the sorts of smaller commercial matters that give lawyers at e.g. Munger and Williams & Connolly terrific opportunities. Frankly, regardless of comp, I wouldn’t want to be a litigation associate at any corporate-focused firm.

Boies and Susman are definitely preferred. But at all these firms, your QOL is miserable. The point of this thread is not “where do I get paid the most.” That’s dumb.

I was a wachtell lit associate, the first part of your post isn't true. Most Wachtell teams are 2-3 associates and 1-2 partners. Junior associates are included in strategy sessions, client calls, and have responsibility for client management. Although Wachtell doesn't take small lit matters, they staff very very leanly so associates get a lot of experience. Associates are expected to perform like a partner.

The other parts of your post are well taken. I'd put WLRKs lit team against any other firm in the country, but it is definitely true that it takes a backseat to corporate. You're also right that QOL is miserable, but I definitely don't think it is dumb to go where you get paid the most, particularly if you're going to get paid significantly more than you would at other firms and then have better exit opportunities. For example, many young litigators' dream job is AUSA. WLRK is a main feeder to the most prestigious USAOs in the country.

Lean staffing =/= in court argument and related opportunities for associates. No one denies that Wachtell is leanly staffed. That just means each associate is doing a shitload of work. The point is, a seenior associate at Wachtell will have taken fewer depositions, fewer witnessed, argued fewer motions, and been the client contact responsible for the strategic planning on fewer matters than an associate in the same class year at litigation-focused shops.

Same anon as above. And that's just not true. WLRK lit associated routinely take and defend depos. Many of the lit associates do CJA work that routinely puts them in court in SDNY to argue motions and conduct trials. Obviously, in civil matters partners argue dispositive motions, but senior associates argue other motions routinely. You simply don't know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous User]

Wachtell even for lit. They have a phenomenal litigation practice and they get paid the same as corp.

I would not want to be an associate in litigation at Wachtell. The teams are hierarchical and there are barely any stand up opportunities for paying clients until senior partnership. Wachtell doesn’t have the bandwidth to take on the sorts of smaller commercial matters that give lawyers at e.g. Munger and Williams & Connolly terrific opportunities. Frankly, regardless of comp, I wouldn’t want to be a litigation associate at any corporate-focused firm.

Boies and Susman are definitely preferred. But at all these firms, your QOL is miserable. The point of this thread is not “where do I get paid the most.” That’s dumb.

I was a wachtell lit associate, the first part of your post isn't true. Most Wachtell teams are 2-3 associates and 1-2 partners. Junior associates are included in strategy sessions, client calls, and have responsibility for client management. Although Wachtell doesn't take small lit matters, they staff very very leanly so associates get a lot of experience. Associates are expected to perform like a partner.

The other parts of your post are well taken. I'd put WLRKs lit team against any other firm in the country, but it is definitely true that it takes a backseat to corporate. You're also right that QOL is miserable, but I definitely don't think it is dumb to go where you get paid the most, particularly if you're going to get paid significantly more than you would at other firms and then have better exit opportunities. For example, many young litigators' dream job is AUSA. WLRK is a main feeder to the most prestigious USAOs in the country.

Lean staffing =/= in court argument and related opportunities for associates. No one denies that Wachtell is leanly staffed. That just means each associate is doing a shitload of work. The point is, a seenior associate at Wachtell will have taken fewer depositions, fewer witnessed, argued fewer motions, and been the client contact responsible for the strategic planning on fewer matters than an associate in the same class year at litigation-focused shops.

Same anon as above. And that's just not true. WLRK lit associated routinely take and defend depos. Many of the lit associates do CJA work that routinely puts them in court in SDNY to argue motions and conduct trials. Obviously, in civil matters partners argue dispositive motions, but senior associates argue other motions routinely. You simply don't know what you're talking about.

Any info on what their recent bonuses have been?

[Anonymous User]

K&L and Perkins in Seattle

K&L?

K&L Gates

Yea, I got that. Sorry, I meant, "why K&L Gates"? They pay below market, have a weird situation going on with financing and stuff, and are behind the times in personnel management. Why them over F&W, Cooley, WSGR, DLA, DWT, or FP?

I see. Good points.

[Anonymous User]

Atrium. Justin Kan is really innovative, would love working for him.

[Anonymous User]

I sorta had this choice (offers at Munger, Williams & Connolly, Cravath, and Wachtell) and chose Williams & Connolly over Wachtell. I don't regret that choice.

[Anonymous User]

I sorta had this choice (offers at Munger, Williams & Connolly, Cravath, and Wachtell) and chose Williams & Connolly over Wachtell. I don't regret that choice.

Not a fan of California?

[Anonymous User]

Ropes, OMM, or Jenner. Great culture, lots of pro bono. Low burnout rates.