Dallas Biglaw Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have specific information regarding Dallas corporate biglaw shops? I've read past posts on this topic but wondering if anyone has any updated and/or specific information as I am starting to consider lateraling to the area. Specifically interested in info re: Sidley/GDC/Weil/KE/V&E/JD/HayBoo corporate.

Are the associates busy?
Where do they typically exit (geographically, I'm assuming Dallas, but please let me know if otherwise)?
Any particular industry focus?
What are typical office hours/facetime requirements?
Are associates more in the 2000-2200 range or +2300?

Goal is probably Dallas in house at this point, maybe at a public company, but am still hesitant to take partnership completely off the table.

Also happy to PM if easier. Thanks!

[Yugihoe]

Am interested too. Bump.

[Anonymous User]

I'll throw what little info I have out there because no one else has responded. My impression is that you would work on interesting deals in V&E's corporate group, but the hours are definitely intense (think 2300+). I've heard that there are some wonderful people in the office but also some difficult personalities. Hayboo's corporate group sounds more civilized in terms of hours (probably closer to 2000+). Can't really speak to the type of work. I've only heard positive things about the people. K&E's Dallas office is still very new and I'm not sure anyone has particularly good info on that front. The only thing I've heard about Weil is supposedly more of their deal work comes from the NY office (not sure how accurate that is).

That's the extent of what I know.

(Anon because Dallas transactional is a pretty small market and I'd rather not be outed)

[Anonymous User]

I'll throw what little info I have out there because no one else has responded. My impression is that you would work on interesting deals in V&E's corporate group, but the hours are definitely intense (think 2300+). I've heard that there are some wonderful people in the office but also some difficult personalities. Hayboo's corporate group sounds more civilized in terms of hours (probably closer to 2000+). Can't really speak to the type of work. I've only heard positive things about the people. K&E's Dallas office is still very new and I'm not sure anyone has particularly good info on that front. The only thing I've heard about Weil is supposedly more of their deal work comes from the NY office (not sure how accurate that is).

That's the extent of what I know.

(Anon because Dallas transactional is a pretty small market and I'd rather not be outed)

Completely agree with all of this. If you want to go in house to a public company, I would definitely go to V&E if you can handle the amount of work and the personalities there. HayBoo has good work but its mostly mid-market private M&A, so I would go there if you want partnership to be more on the table. V&E partnership is basically a lottery and being in Houston is a massive plus on that front. I'm not at any of the firms you listed, but in my opinion V&E has the best work in the state, followed closely by Kirkland (that being said, both of those offices are way bigger/stronger in Houston than Dallas). However, neither are great options if equity partner is a serious goal of yours (which it doesn't sound like it is). GDC is also strong in Dallas and I think the Houston office is actually keeping a lot of the Dallas associates busy (I had heard that a lot of the Dallas associates were very inconsistent in their workflow until Houston opened), but that's a good thing if you want energy experience. I would avoid JD (low pay, shrinking office, weird culture) and Weil (shrinking office).

[emptyflare]

I'll throw what little info I have out there because no one else has responded. My impression is that you would work on interesting deals in V&E's corporate group, but the hours are definitely intense (think 2300+). I've heard that there are some wonderful people in the office but also some difficult personalities. Hayboo's corporate group sounds more civilized in terms of hours (probably closer to 2000+). Can't really speak to the type of work. I've only heard positive things about the people. K&E's Dallas office is still very new and I'm not sure anyone has particularly good info on that front. The only thing I've heard about Weil is supposedly more of their deal work comes from the NY office (not sure how accurate that is).

That's the extent of what I know.

(Anon because Dallas transactional is a pretty small market and I'd rather not be outed)

Completely agree with all of this. If you want to go in house to a public company, I would definitely go to V&E if you can handle the amount of work and the personalities there. HayBoo has good work but its mostly mid-market private M&A, so I would go there if you want partnership to be more on the table. V&E partnership is basically a lottery and being in Houston is a massive plus on that front. I'm not at any of the firms you listed, but in my opinion V&E has the best work in the state, followed closely by Kirkland (that being said, both of those offices are way bigger/stronger in Houston than Dallas). However, neither are great options if equity partner is a serious goal of yours (which it doesn't sound like it is). GDC is also strong in Dallas and I think the Houston office is actually keeping a lot of the Dallas associates busy (I had heard that a lot of the Dallas associates were very inconsistent in their workflow until Houston opened), but that's a good thing if you want energy experience. I would avoid JD (low pay, shrinking office, weird culture) and Weil (shrinking office).

I am also kind of interested in the Dallas biglaw corporate market. Helpful information here, thanks. Thoughts on Sidley Dallas?

[Anonymous User]

Are there any chill dallas offices that let 3rd and 4th year corporate associates bill like 1900-2000 hours? Sounds like VE and Kirkland Houston are no-gos.

[Anonymous User]

I'll throw what little info I have out there because no one else has responded. My impression is that you would work on interesting deals in V&E's corporate group, but the hours are definitely intense (think 2300+). I've heard that there are some wonderful people in the office but also some difficult personalities. Hayboo's corporate group sounds more civilized in terms of hours (probably closer to 2000+). Can't really speak to the type of work. I've only heard positive things about the people. K&E's Dallas office is still very new and I'm not sure anyone has particularly good info on that front. The only thing I've heard about Weil is supposedly more of their deal work comes from the NY office (not sure how accurate that is).

That's the extent of what I know.

(Anon because Dallas transactional is a pretty small market and I'd rather not be outed)

Completely agree with all of this. If you want to go in house to a public company, I would definitely go to V&E if you can handle the amount of work and the personalities there. HayBoo has good work but its mostly mid-market private M&A, so I would go there if you want partnership to be more on the table. V&E partnership is basically a lottery and being in Houston is a massive plus on that front. I'm not at any of the firms you listed, but in my opinion V&E has the best work in the state, followed closely by Kirkland (that being said, both of those offices are way bigger/stronger in Houston than Dallas). However, neither are great options if equity partner is a serious goal of yours (which it doesn't sound like it is). GDC is also strong in Dallas and I think the Houston office is actually keeping a lot of the Dallas associates busy (I had heard that a lot of the Dallas associates were very inconsistent in their workflow until Houston opened), but that's a good thing if you want energy experience. I would avoid JD (low pay, shrinking office, weird culture) and Weil (shrinking office).

I am also kind of interested in the Dallas biglaw corporate market. Helpful information here, thanks. Thoughts on Sidley Dallas?

Obviously Sidley is a great firm, and the Texas offices seem to be doing well. I honestly don't know much about their Dallas corp group - I'm across from their Houston corp group much more frequently. The Dallas corp group is small and not energy-focused, but the partners are all well-respected and from other great firms in town. You don't hear any negative reports on Sidley Dallas corp culture (unlike the Sidley Dallas lit group). I would review the 2018 Dallas OCI Thread for more specifics.

[Anonymous User]

Are there any chill dallas offices that let 3rd and 4th year corporate associates bill like 1900-2000 hours? Sounds like VE and Kirkland Houston are no-gos.

Locke. Except you probably won't hit 1900, as I hear they've been extremely slow since a key chunk of the group went to Winston. I think they're looking for a midlevel, though, since they just lost one. Otherwise, I think every big(ish) group in town expects at least 2000 hours.

[Anonymous User]

This is all really helpful. I have heard that V&E Dallas is a shell of what it used to be and continues to lose people to Kirkland Dallas, but I'm not sure how true this is.

Any more specific thoughts on Weil/GDC Dallas if goal is Dallas in house (non-energy)? I've read several threads about GDC Dallas associates being previously slow, but others saying they have top exit options. On Weil, it looks like they previously had a rough culture, is that still the case?

[Anonymous User]

GDC Dallas is exploding with work right now. “Slow” is not a word I would use to describe that office.

[Anonymous User]

GDC Dallas is exploding with work right now. “Slow” is not a word I would use to describe that office.

Corporate or litigation? I forgot to mention that I was referring to corporate.

Additionally, any thoughts on differences amongst GDC/Sidley/Weil corporate? Is anyone a clear leader in Dallas? Looking primarily to hit my hours, get good experience and diverse industries.

[Anonymous User]

I have heard that V&E Dallas is a shell of what it used to be and continues to lose people to Kirkland Dallas, but I'm not sure how true this is.

Former V&E associate here. I stay in touch with friends at the firm. This doesn't sound right. They lost a very junior partner and a counsel when they opened up. (Neither affected deal flow at all.) The only people who have left since then are junior associates.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on BB Dallas? Not married to lit or corporate. P

[Anonymous User]

Bump

[astrosfan]

Thoughts on BB Dallas? Not married to lit or corporate. P

Solid reputation. I think they're considered just below the top tier for lit. Especially strong in IP. Similar picture for corp. In Houston, their HQ city, their corp team used to dominate the city along with V&E. Now they've been pushed down to the next level by Kirkland and company.

[HenryHankPalmer]

Anyone else heard the rumor that Quinn is opening a Dallas office?