Top Law Schools

Polling the message board

I think you'll get overwhelming Skadden support on this board just based on Skadden's name and Latham's reputation. You also might get a couple posters talk about Latham being smarter in their hiring since Lathaming and it likely not being as big a risk (or, there's a similar risk everywhere). The "correct" answer is probably to go with whichever one you liked more on second looks (do seconds if you haven't). Latham might be a better choice if you are really undecided on practice area. I voted Skadden because I liked the people I met there more.

Anonymous User wrote:I think you'll get overwhelming Skadden support on this board just based on Skadden's name and Latham's reputation. You also might get a couple posters talk about Latham being smarter in their hiring since Lathaming and it likely not being as big a risk (or, there's a similar risk everywhere). The "correct" answer is probably to go with whichever one you liked more on second looks (do seconds if you haven't). Latham might be a better choice if you are really undecided on practice area. I voted Skadden because I liked the people I met there more.

In the NY market, do you think that the difference in reputation/prestige is significant enough to outweigh a better feeling about the people at LW?

Anonymous User wrote:I think you'll get overwhelming Skadden support on this board just based on Skadden's name and Latham's reputation. You also might get a couple posters talk about Latham being smarter in their hiring since Lathaming and it likely not being as big a risk (or, there's a similar risk everywhere). The "correct" answer is probably to go with whichever one you liked more on second looks (do seconds if you haven't). Latham might be a better choice if you are really undecided on practice area. I voted Skadden because I liked the people I met there more.

Can I ask your background? Got a better impression from people and lifestyle at lw. Curious as to what extent the difference in reputation should weigh against a seemingly better “fit.”

There's not a material difference between skadden and latham in terms of reputation or prestige, even in NY. There won't be a material difference in exit options either.

There might be differences in specific practice areas (eg, if you wanna do restructuring/bankruptcy, go to skadden)

As far as I know their work assignment systems and the process of choosing a practice area is different at each of these firms. Those factors and a second look should answer these questions for you.

I don't think polls are very helpful, because choosing between firms is (or should be) a very personal decision and should not be based on what a TLS majority thinks. The old TLS, for instance, had a very strong pro-DPW bias, simply because many of the most prolific posters were past/present/future DPWers. The current TLS, as noted in another thread, may have an anti-Kirkland bias.

Skadden and Latham are peer firms in NY. Choose based on whichever firm you "click" with more (their culture is pretty different AFAIK). Don't rely on TLS polling.