DC Big Law Junior Associate - AMA Forum

[toolbox86]

Slow day so figured why not. Ask away.

[Anonymous User]

you guys hire 3Ls?

[BansheeScream]

Which associates at your firm have the best work life balance that you've seen? Any firms/practice areas in DC you would recommend avoiding?

[Anonymous User]

Best advice you can give to a summer?

[toolbox86]

3L hiring definitely happens, but it's not super common at my firm. Often happens if a practice group suddenly gets busy and doesn't have enough 1st years coming in. But what I've noticed is that 3L hiring isn't advertised a lot, so I'd recommend submitting your materials anywhere you're interested. You never know if a firm might be looking.

I'm sure this has been said before, but I think the general hierarchy is regulatory > litigation > M&A/corporate. The regulatory/lit hybrid groups at my firm (think antitrust, tax, financial regulatory, healthcare/FDA etc.) all tend to have a pretty good work-life balance. Most of the people in my group work in the office until 7 PM and then leave (and work from home, if necessary). Staying late and eating dinner at the office is the exception, not the rule.

That said, what I've noticed between my own experience and that of friends at other firms is that working in a firm's premier group tends to mean you're going to work a lot more. So, for example, working in Gibson Dunn's lit/appellate practice in DC is likely going to mean working a lot more than if you were in Gibson's M&A practice, etc. And of course working in a firm's premier practice group likely means you'll be busier than working in the same practice group at competitor firms. Just something to consider.

[Anonymous User]

Where do you see corporate attorneys leave to, within DC?

I've always liked DC as a city, but my practice (mostly M&A and some capital markets) has left me unsure of what my exits are outside of the government. Would you have any idea what "homegrown" companies seem to be thriving, or where M&A people usually go post-firm life?

[toolbox86]

Best advice you can give to a summer?

Make sure your work is error-free, be polite and don't make a drunk fool of yourself, and look up answers to questions you can answer yourself. I think summers often feel like they have to go to every single event or every single lunch, and that's not true. As long as you're socializing a decent amount and going to most events, feel free to skip a few. Doing good work and being inoffensive is more important than being super memorable.

[toolbox86]

Where do you see corporate attorneys leave to, within DC?

I've always liked DC as a city, but my practice (mostly M&A and some capital markets) has left me unsure of what my exits are outside of the government. Would you have any idea what "homegrown" companies seem to be thriving, or where M&A people usually go post-firm life?

There are some companies that are either based in or have large offices in the DMV area. I've seen a lot of people go to these (e.g., Capital One, Marriott, Lockheed Martin). Amazon's new offices will I'm sure have a large legal department too. I've also seen a number of people go to organizations like FINRA and Bloomberg. Also, the SEC pays above what most other government positions do, so worth considering if the pay cut is of concern.

[Anonymous User]

Not sure if you're firm has one/how big it is, but any thoughts on what international trade (antidumping/cvd/export controls/etc.) groups have been like recently? Seems like there has been an uptick in that practice area under this admin, and I will have a chance to rotate through it as a summer, so was just wondering if you have any insight into how attorneys in those areas like it. Mainly interested in exit opps, work/life balance, or just anything you may have heard.

[toolbox86]

Not sure if you're firm has one/how big it is, but any thoughts on what international trade (antidumping/cvd/export controls/etc.) groups have been like recently? Seems like there has been an uptick in that practice area under this admin, and I will have a chance to rotate through it as a summer, so was just wondering if you have any insight into how attorneys in those areas like it. Mainly interested in exit opps, work/life balance, or just anything you may have heard.

My firm has one, but it's quite small. The attorneys in the group are quite busy. I think you're right that part of is is due to this admin, but I think part of that is also due to working with foreign clients/counsel in foreign jurisdictions, so calls and emails can come at all hours of the night. That said, the people I know doing it seem to really like it. As for exit opps, a few trade attorneys from my firm have gone to the USTR office or to other agencies, and a couple have gone to smaller firms/started their own shops focused on trade issues. I'm guessing there'd be some hybrid policy/law positions in bigger corporations that you could transition to, but I don't know anyone who has done that.