Blank Rome v. Duane Morris v. Akerman (all NY) Forum

[Anonymous User]

So, I’ve reached the end of my time at a v50 and got offers from the above. They all seemed similar (Blank Rome had the highest salary, but it was a negligible difference). Does anyone have any insight into any of these corporate teams?

I don’t think any of them are highly regarded corporate teams and I’m fine doing middle market work. What I’m more concerned with is hours and partnership prospects.

I am leaning towards Duane Morris because it seems to be the most international and I think is the “best” of the three in terms of prestige.

If anyone can help me with any anecdotes regarding hours/partnership prospects, that would be great.

I’m not in a huge rush. All are okay with me waiting until I get my bonus before moving over.

[Anonymous User]

Duane. Seems the safest bet and people there emphasize the lack of face time requirement.

[Anonymous User]

Duane. Seems the safest bet and people there emphasize the lack of face time requirement.

That’s what I’m thinking. It seems to have the best brand name (though, to be fair, my lowest offer was Duane). My only concern with Duane is that it is highly leveraged making partnership chances abysmal.

[Anonymous User]

Duane. Seems the safest bet and people there emphasize the lack of face time requirement.

That’s what I’m thinking. It seems to have the best brand name (though, to be fair, my lowest offer was Duane). My only concern with Duane is that it is highly leveraged making partnership chances abysmal.

What do you mean by leverage and PP with respect to Duane? And have you asked them to match? How far lower?

[Anonymous User]

Duane. Seems the safest bet and people there emphasize the lack of face time requirement.

That’s what I’m thinking. It seems to have the best brand name (though, to be fair, my lowest offer was Duane). My only concern with Duane is that it is highly leveraged making partnership chances abysmal.

What do you mean by leverage and PP with respect to Duane? And have you asked them to match? How far lower?

Duane has 120ish equity partners. The firm has nearly 800 attorneys. Also, it’s profits per lawyer in AmLaw are the worst of the group. These two things combined aren’t very promising for partnership prospects.

Duane was roughly $10k below Akerman and $20k below Blank Rome. Not surprising since the entry level for Duane is 165k, while Blank Rome is 180k.

[Anonymous User]

Duane. Seems the safest bet and people there emphasize the lack of face time requirement.

That’s what I’m thinking. It seems to have the best brand name (though, to be fair, my lowest offer was Duane). My only concern with Duane is that it is highly leveraged making partnership chances abysmal.

What do you mean by leverage and PP with respect to Duane? And have you asked them to match? How far lower?

Duane has 120ish equity partners. The firm has nearly 800 attorneys. Also, it’s profits per lawyer in AmLaw are the worst of the group. These two things combined aren’t very promising for partnership prospects.

Duane was roughly $10k below Akerman and $20k below Blank Rome. Not surprising since the entry level for Duane is 165k, while Blank Rome is 180k.

Right, right. That makes sense. Don’t understand why starting salary is so low, but the firm seems conservative (fiscally).

[Anonymous User]

Duane is all black box. Expect to receive raises of $5,000 or $10,000 each year. The highest the firm will pay a third year associate is $180,000. There are 8th year associates at Duane making less than the new first year market salary of $190,000.

There’s no lockstep or pay transparency.

You must hit 1950 hours to get a bonus. Surprisingly, many associates don’t hit their hours. Bonuses seem to max out at $20,000 (very few people get this), with most associates receiving $5,000 or $10,000.

The firm has also made too many nonequity partners. Lots of these non equity partners aren’t busy.

As an associate, when you hear “fiscally conservative” and “we’ll managed” and “no long term debt”, this really means that you’re not going to get paid well.

[Anonymous User]

Duane is all black box. Expect to receive raises of $5,000 or $10,000 each year. The highest the firm will pay a third year associate is $180,000. There are 8th year associates at Duane making less than the new first year market salary of $190,000.

There’s no lockstep or pay transparency.

You must hit 1950 hours to get a bonus. Surprisingly, many associates don’t hit their hours. Bonuses seem to max out at $20,000 (very few people get this), with most associates receiving $5,000 or $10,000.

The firm has also made too many nonequity partners. Lots of these non equity partners aren’t busy.

As an associate, when you hear “fiscally conservative” and “we’ll managed” and “no long term debt”, this really means that you’re not going to get paid well.

How does it justify paying an 8th year associate under 190,000? That’s crazy.

[Anonymous User]

Duane is all black box. Expect to receive raises of $5,000 or $10,000 each year. The highest the firm will pay a third year associate is $180,000. There are 8th year associates at Duane making less than the new first year market salary of $190,000.

There’s no lockstep or pay transparency.

You must hit 1950 hours to get a bonus. Surprisingly, many associates don’t hit their hours. Bonuses seem to max out at $20,000 (very few people get this), with most associates receiving $5,000 or $10,000.

The firm has also made too many nonequity partners. Lots of these non equity partners aren’t busy.

As an associate, when you hear “fiscally conservative” and “we’ll managed” and “no long term debt”, this really means that you’re not going to get paid well.

How does it justify paying an 8th year associate under 190,000? That’s crazy.

Yeah, is that real? Who would stick around 8 years with that type of pay?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Does Duane have better hours? 1950 doesn’t seem like “lifestyle” firm numbers.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Does Duane have better hours? 1950 doesn’t seem like “lifestyle” firm numbers.

Per NALP, you might look at it as 1850, b/c 100 of those can be pro bono.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Does Duane have better hours? 1950 doesn’t seem like “lifestyle” firm numbers.

Per NALP, you might look at it as 1850, b/c 100 of those can be pro bono.

OP here. I think blank Rome also had 100 hours and I know Akerman is unlimited (they mentioned it multiple times).