Is Cravath really worth it? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have an offer at Cravath, but am hesitant to take it because I have heard that the hours/culture of the place is worse (on the margins of course, they are all bad) than some of the other top firms. I also have offers at Davis Polk and Simpson, which seem to be a bit more of a friendly atmosphere. I am looking to do corporate work, and my ultimate goal is to go in house. Are the exit options from Cravath much better than other top firms where it would be stupid not to take it?

[BrainsyK]

I'm pretty sure the consensus is that Cravath/DPW/STB are peers if you're just looking general corporate work. To the extent there is any difference, your enjoyment of the experience will probably translate into better longevity that translates into more impact when exiting than any name alone.

[Anonymous User]

Why do you think the hours/culture are worse? Is it the people you met, or the reputation you've heard?

You can make it to a good in-house job from any of them, though. If you don't want to go, don't go.

[Anonymous User]

Be careful with "culture" and "hours" rhetoric. Lower ranked firms lie about this to get top quality graduates. A former O'Melveny attorney wrote a paper on how OMM does this. http://brian-boyle-omelveny-torture-att ... k-for.html

[Anonymous User]

Why do you think the hours/culture are worse? Is it the people you met, or the reputation you've heard?

You can make it to a good in-house job from any of them, though. If you don't want to go, don't go.

It is a combination of things I have heard and a general feeling from associates and partners. For example, on vault there is an associate review that says they feel under compensated compared to other firms that pay their market rate because they work more. Associates have confided in me the number of times they have pulled all nighters, while DPW associates have said they never have had to (even though they definitely work late often). Also the associates at cravath just seemed exhausted when I spoke to them. Maybe the other firms are better at hiding it, but so far it seems a bit worse.

[Anonymous User]

I’m making a very similar decision, but without the DPW offer. The associates I met were generally nice but it definitely seems that they attract a wide range of personalities (all hardworking though) based on conversations I’ve had about culture. I’ve also heard that like its peers hours are more deal/partner driven. For example, one corporate associate said they were on track for 2000 hours but another associate admitted to getting absolutely crushed their first year but it was an unusually long deal.

I’m planning on going back to do second looks to meet with more associates to get a better sense of the personalities and hours.

[Anonymous User]

Rising 3L at a T14 so this is largely based on the rumor mill (have many friends who summered throughout the V10). Impression is that Cravath really is somewhat worse on the hours front than the other V10 firms (Wachtell excluded). Cravath is very prestigious but DPW/STB are generally considered peer firms and similarly prestigious - personally I wouldn't pick Cravath over DPW/STB just for the prestige bump, to the extent it exists. Between those three firms, exit options are going to be shaped far more by the partners and clients you work with than the firm's name/reputation.

I'd recommend choosing based on whether you find Cravath's unique rotation system appealing. If yes, go for it. If no, DPW/STB may be better choices, esp. since you seem to like those two firms more.

[Anonymous User]

FWIW, I've hear horror stories about STB from upperclassmen so I'd be cautious in assuming that it has a better culture than Cravath. To be fair though, the concerns I've heard were less the hours and more the firm not respecting your time or giving you truly meaningless work.