L&E at these firms? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey all!

Anyone have any insight on L&E (or just the firms generally - including reasons why to avoid them) at the following firms:

Buchalter
Goodwin Procter
Hanson Bridgett
Allen Matkins
Hopkins & Carley
McDermott Will & Emery?

[Anonymous User]

I don't have any direct experience with any of those firms, but the kind of work they do will likely depend a lot on the office you're in, and knowing which you're thinking about would be helpful. NY will be more ERISA work and California will be more litigation and union focused given state labor laws.

[Anonymous User]

I’ve interviewed at some of these firms, so I’m staying anon.

MWE’s employment team is what I’d call a traditional employment and labor team. It does FLSA, wage and hour, sexual harassment, and is more litigation heavy than most big firms. There isn’t much ERISA work because that is housed under the firm’s large employee benefits team.

Goodwin’s team is a mix exec comp and employment counseling (severance, employment contracts) and some litigation. It reminds me of most firms’ ERISA and Exec Comp teams, to be honest. I think they do ERISA Lit with the ERISA Lit team too. Mostly deal work.

I think the two firms are the opposites of what biglaw L&E looks like. From my experience interviewing, it seems that firms that have exec comp teams that are corporate teams (i.e., focus on securities law) will have L&E teams that look like general employee benefits teams. Firms that have large benefits teams (Proskauer, MLB, MWE) will have more traditional L&E practices). There are obviously outliers, but that seems to be the general trend I see.

[Anonymous User]

I’ve interviewed at some of these firms, so I’m staying anon.

MWE’s employment team is what I’d call a traditional employment and labor team. It does FLSA, wage and hour, sexual harassment, and is more litigation heavy than most big firms. There isn’t much ERISA work because that is housed under the firm’s large employee benefits team.

Goodwin’s team is a mix exec comp and employment counseling (severance, employment contracts) and some litigation. It reminds me of most firms’ ERISA and Exec Comp teams, to be honest. I think they do ERISA Lit with the ERISA Lit team too. Mostly deal work.

I think the two firms are the opposites of what biglaw L&E looks like. From my experience interviewing, it seems that firms that have exec comp teams that are corporate teams (i.e., focus on securities law) will have L&E teams that look like general employee benefits teams. Firms that have large benefits teams (Proskauer, MLB, MWE) will have more traditional L&E practices). There are obviously outliers, but that seems to be the general trend I see.

Really appreciate the insight!! Do you mind if I pick your brain on thoughts of whether a practice like MWE's more traditional L&E or Goodwin's mix exec comp, etc. is a better long-term practice with potential to in-house or any pros and cons generally for either path? I'm currently in a more traditional L&E with emphasis on wage and hour class actions so I'm curious what the experience is like with a team like Goodwin's and what that entails (if you know).

[Anonymous User]

I don't have any direct experience with any of those firms, but the kind of work they do will likely depend a lot on the office you're in, and knowing which you're thinking about would be helpful. NY will be more ERISA work and California will be more litigation and union focused given state labor laws.

Oh sorry!! I'm in California

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

Not OP, but another potential Goodwin lateral. Would you mind giving a vague hint as to office and group? I.e. east coast or west coast and BLD or lit?

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

Not OP, but another potential Goodwin lateral. Would you mind giving a vague hint as to office and group? I.e. east coast or west coast and BLD or lit?

In BLD on the east coast.

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

Appreciate the insight and heads up! Stealth says a lot about a firm's style and certainly sorry to hear you all are dealing with this tough situation. Whats BLD stand for? (I'm bad with acronyms)

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

Appreciate the insight and heads up! Stealth says a lot about a firm's style and certainly sorry to hear you all are dealing with this tough situation. Whats BLD stand for? (I'm bad with acronyms)

Business Law Department. Goodwin-speak for corporate.

[Anonymous User]

I would recommend avoiding Goodwin if you can. I'm not sure about L&E specifically, but they did stealths to a number of people in my group. Those who are still around are swamped and morale is low.

In January we implemented an "unlimited" vacation days policy and it is absolutely terrible. I would be shocked if I take anywhere close to 4 weeks this year - I'm thinking I'll only end up getting a week or two off.

Not OP, but another potential Goodwin lateral. Would you mind giving a vague hint as to office and group? I.e. east coast or west coast and BLD or lit?

In BLD on the east coast.

Potential lateral anon here. Thanks. Unfortunately this is where I was thinking of going...

[Anonymous User]

There have also been a number of partner departures from Goodwin, which of course has all been very quiet. Goodwin has been telling associates that the firm is doing well financially, so I'm not sure if they are trying to beef up their PPP, it's a weird coincidence with a cluster of voluntary departures, or there are actually financial problems at the firm.