Home Market V100 or V10 NY? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I need help deciding whether I should take a V100 (whatever that means) offer in my home market or a V10 offer in NY. I've received several offers total, but I've generally narrowed it down to these two.

I'm median at one of MVP and originally grew up in this secondary market. I would much prefer to work in my home market, but despite my offer, I didn't feel like I fit very well at the firm. On the other hand, I really don't like NYC, but felt like the fit at the V10 was good. Both practices would be in general corporate / M&A. Edit: Home market firm pays NY market $

Very conflicted on what to do.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BrainsyK]

How large is the V100 office? If it's 50+ people, there's gotta be a group that you do fit with even if you didn't interview with them.

[Anonymous User]

How large is the V100 office? If it's 50+ people, there's gotta be a group that you do fit with even if you didn't interview with them.

No use beating around the bush I suppose. Its Katten (Chi) and thus has a relatively large office.

[wishywashy]

It can be hard to judge people off one round of interviews. Maybe take a second look and talk to some folks there over coffee at the v100?

Bottom line, if you don't like the city you live in it can make a good job miserable quick. Seems like it would be easier to lateral to another firm in a few years if the fit was truly bad. NYC will still be NYC no matter which firm you work at. Also, you will pay a hefty premium for the pleasure of living in a shoebox in NYC - that might get old very quickly.

I would go for your home market if I was you. Does the v10 have a Chicago office? Could you get in there?

[Anonymous User]

It can be hard to judge people off one round of interviews. Maybe take a second look and talk to some folks there over coffee at the v100?

Bottom line, if you don't like the city you live in it can make a good job miserable quick. Seems like it would be easier to lateral to another firm in a few years if the fit was truly bad. NYC will still be NYC no matter which firm you work at. Also, you will pay a hefty premium for the pleasure of living in a shoebox in NYC - that might get old very quickly.

I would go for your home market if I was you. Does the v10 have a Chicago office? Could you get in there?

V10 does not. However, I have an offer from a V15 in NY that is strong in CHi, but was rejected in my app to the Chi office earlier in the summer, so thats sorta awkward.

[BrainsyK]

How large is the V100 office? If it's 50+ people, there's gotta be a group that you do fit with even if you didn't interview with them.

No use beating around the bush I suppose. Its Katten (Chi) and thus has a relatively large office.

I'd take Katten. You are almost guaranteed to find a group you can fit with in a 250+ attorney office. If not, you have bigger problems than just picking a location. Depending on what practice group you want, you may even be able to trade up later. Kirkland is always hiring for 3Ls for specialty groups.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

I don't like to make calls in situations like these generally because I think decisions like these are deeply personal and context specific but, in this case, I think I'd go out on a limb and really recommend you go with your home market here. Biglaw is a grind and exit opps can be difficult. I think you'll last much longer and develop deeper ties (which can be helpful) in your home market. Ultimately mental health goes a long way in BL and being in your hometown, versus a city you do not like, will be a major leg up. Likely bigger than V10 status.

Fit is very difficult to determine during callbacks and can be wildly inaccurate in the long run. NYC market pay in Chicago is a great benefit. I would pick the home market and never look back.

[cookiejar1]

What’s the New York firm? Is it Simpson? The work is very different between the two. I would view the New York practices as being more generalist and Katten more niche/specialized on average.

[jkpolk]

Go to New York, learn some stuff, make some friends, when it starts to suck lateral back home. Easy to lateral anywhere from NY v10 M&A.

[Anonymous User]

I agree with the posters saying take Katten. I work in a different market from my home market and have been desperately trying to go back. I got a job in NY/DC and, though I enjoy the experience, it’s really difficult to get back home when the firm I’m at has somewhat strict FaceTime requirements (which I’m assuming some (most?) of the V10 NY offices have).

If I were in my home market; it would take that constant headache of buying tickets last minute out of the equation. I fully intend on going back to my home market, but I just haven’t been able to land anything yet. Obviously Chicago is a big city, so it’ll be easier to lateral there. But, flying from NY to Chicago won’t be easy if you have demanding partners.

[Anonymous User]

OP here.

Thanks everyone! TLS has been an amazing resource since my first day in college. Helped me ace undergrad, ace the LSAT, pick a school, and now pick a firm.

Ultimately, I settled on Chicago. Family, friends, and long-term plans (plus COL) made it a relatively easy choice. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't forfeiting something great by turning down the V10 in NY.