Top Law Schools

Hi all,

So I have SA offers from both Sidley, Skadden, and Jenner & Block, which are all in Chicago and at the top of my list. I'm ultimately trying to transition to D.C., but want to see which have the best exit options/which is generally better regarded nationally. Interest in litigation, although the Skadden office seems quite a bit weaker on that front. What do you all think?

If you're looking to transfer to DC long term I would take Sidley. In Chi for lit, Jenner = Sidley from what I've heard, but Jenner's DC office is ridiculously elite (they *only* hire good students from HYS or the tippy top at the T6), very small, and very concentrated on appellate work, at which they are on GDC or Munger's level. Whereas Sidley's DC office is more generalist (although still with a healthy dose of appellate). So transferring offices at Sidley will likely be easier and less of a change of pace work wise.

Sidley is bigger so it probably has more national "brand name," but that shouldn't matter. People know Jenner is legit.

Also factor in what kind of lit you want to do. White collar, go Jenner. General commercial, securities, healthcare etc, go Sidley. You're right that Skadden isn't on their level in Chicago.

I feel like the first reply was biased toward Jenner. Is there a valid reason to take Jenner over Sidley in Chicago? How often do students choose Jenner?

Sidley, while definitely overhyped by NU/Chicago students, is a bigger, more profitable, and more reputable firm than Jenner. I'm not saying Jenner's a joke -- far from it, they're a good firm -- but this seems like an easy decision from my perspective

Sidley

Res Ipsa Loquitter wrote:I feel like the first reply was biased toward Jenner. Is there a valid reason to take Jenner over Sidley in Chicago? How often do students choose Jenner?

Sidley, while definitely overhyped by NU/Chicago students, is a bigger, more profitable, and more reputable firm than Jenner. I'm not saying Jenner's a joke -- far from it, they're a good firm -- but this seems like an easy decision from my perspective

My general impression is that in Chicago Jenner and Sidley are rough peers for lit and that it’s not unusual at UChicago to take Jenner over Sidley. Jenner is better at white collar, still very good at commercial lit, smaller, and has a fairly unique lefty culture that is very attractive to some students.