White & Case, Linklaters, S&S Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any insight into W&C, Linklaters, Shearman & Sterling ?
in terms of secondment / ease of traveling abroad / relocating to different offices? culture?
I keep reading about S&S "decline" but don't really see what the cause was or if S&S is on the upswing.
interested in corporate work (likely M&A or Cap Markets)

[Anonymous User]

I can't speak for Linklaters or S&S, but here are my thoughts on W&C:

My impression is that it's quite easy to move abroad--especially if you are interested in capital markets. There are US associates all over the place (I think especially in London) on both on a permanent and secondment basis. If you are considering a summer associate position, the firm sends about half the class to other offices (London, Paris, Berlin, Prague, Sydney, etc.) for two or three week rotations.

I have also heard good things about (and know of many examples of) relocating offices within the US, even at a very junior level. I think there has to be a reason for the switch--but I don't think the bar is tremendously high. I imagine this is similar to Linklaters and S&S.

With respect to culture, I think W&C is fairly anodyne. I don't think there's a serious attempt to foster a particular firm ethos--except to the extent its possible to have an 'international outlook.' Practice groups seem to have different vibes (even subgroups within corporate or lit). I think the summer class, at least in NY, tends towards the more social end of the spectrum. Diversity is taken very seriously.

[Anonymous User]

I don't know much about these firms other than being a law student at a school in which all three recruit: My impression is W&C > S&S > Linklaters, generally.

White and Case and Shearman both seem to have good work, but I enjoyed my interactions with White and Case more.

Linklaters being magic circle must have benefits, but I am not sure what they are.

[Anonymous User]

I don't know much about these firms other than being a law student at a school in which all three recruit: My impression is W&C > S&S > Linklaters, generally.

White and Case and Shearman both seem to have good work, but I enjoyed my interactions with White and Case more.

Linklaters being magic circle must have benefits, but I am not sure what they are.

I agree that W&C are the best overall. I may be biased because I am very interested in international practices. I can't rank between S&S and Linklaters. But I have heard really good words about the culture at Linklaters, and people seem to respect your vacation time.