Ivins Phillips - what's the deal? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hearing a ton of good things about Ivins (especially on these forums). E.g. that the hours/quality of life are so good, that they're uber selective/have really well credentialed attorneys, that partnership track is so short, yet pay is market + they even do profit sharing - and so on. Their recruiting material on their website seems to corroborate that they are, at the very least, a very different place to work, and very intentional about being so.

Yet I see nothing about them on Vault and Chambers and headhunters I speak to re: lateraling say the firm is a black box to them - they know almost nothing about it other than that they are extremely small. I have also noticed that some tax practitioners seem to like taking shots at them.

What's the deal??? Is IBP as good as TLSers make it out to be? If so what's the catch?

[Anonymous User]

I work at one of the boutiques and no one here seems to be in awe of Ivins at my firm. Yeah, they pay extremely well and have great hours, but I think that’s the selling point versus another boutique.

I’m not sure if the work will be any more sophisticated or novel than the other boutiques.

The two other tax boutiques in DC don’t pay market, so, the fact that Ivins does sets it apart.

I interviewed there not too long ago. The people seemed very friendly, but I didn’t get a sense that it would be any different/better than working at any other firm.

[Anonymous User]

I work at one of the boutiques and no one here seems to be in awe of Ivins at my firm. Yeah, they pay extremely well and have great hours, but I think that’s the selling point versus another boutique.

I’m not sure if the work will be any more sophisticated or novel than the other boutiques.

The two other tax boutiques in DC don’t pay market, so, the fact that Ivins does sets it apart.

I interviewed there not too long ago. The people seemed very friendly, but I didn’t get a sense that it would be any different/better than working at any other firm.

Thanks very much for this.

I don't completely understand the response. As I see it the basic exchange you make as an associate for a law firm is time for money -- you give them your time and they give you money. If Ivins asks for less time from you than others do yet *also* gives you more money, how can this possibly not be a significantly better gig than another firm - biglaw or boutique alike?

[Anonymous User]

I work at one of the boutiques and no one here seems to be in awe of Ivins at my firm. Yeah, they pay extremely well and have great hours, but I think that’s the selling point versus another boutique.

I’m not sure if the work will be any more sophisticated or novel than the other boutiques.

The two other tax boutiques in DC don’t pay market, so, the fact that Ivins does sets it apart.

I interviewed there not too long ago. The people seemed very friendly, but I didn’t get a sense that it would be any different/better than working at any other firm.

Thanks very much for this.

I don't completely understand the response. As I see it the basic exchange you make as an associate for a law firm is time for money -- you give them your time and they give you money. If Ivins asks for less time from you than others do yet *also* gives you more money, how can this possibly not be a significantly better gig than another firm - biglaw or boutique alike?

There are real trade offs to going to a firm that only has 3 associates. It does sophisticated work, but it’s a small firm. Not sure what size your current office is, but that is something to consider.

Also, Ivins doesn’t give more money at all levels. I think Caplin and M&C both give market-level bonuses. Not sure how much the profit sharing at Ivins is, but I think that that goes into a 401(k). It’s not disposable income you have the option of using.

Also, with 3 associates and 20+ partners, I highly doubt associates are actually only billing 1700 hours.

So, on paper, it seems much better. In practice, I’m not so sure.