Patent Lit: WilmerHale vs. Quinn vs. Paul Hastings vs. Weil Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have offers from Wilmer, Quinn, Paul Hastings, and Weil, all NYC office for patent/IP lit. Seriously stuck in the decision. Can't seem to flesh out any differences in quality and range of the patent work and clients, quality of life (except maybe at Quinn), benefits, exit/advancement opportunities, etc. Any tips or advice?

[Anonymous User]

If it’s in NYC, I would say either Weil or Quinn is the best choice here.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Curious what your reasons are for saying Weil? Everyone I met there was extremely nice, but they have a much smaller patent group (overall and in NYC) and don't appear at all or as high on various ranking lists for patent lit. Do practice area-specific rankings not mean much?

[Anonymous User]

Quinn, WH > PH > Weil.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business ... urt-fights
https://chambers.com/guide/usa?publica ... onId=12806

[Anonymous User]

If Boston, DC, or SF, go with WH. Quinn after that.

[Anonymous User]

I agree Quinn and WH are probably the front runners. You can probably distinguish the two on culture (as OP hinted at).

Agree Weil probably shouldn't be on that list if your interest is specifically in patent. Weil has a very strong "IP" group in New York, but its really media/entertainment IP (think music royalties or tv licensing), not patent IP. Also I don't think you can get placed in IP/media as an associate at Weil(?) You'd get placed in litigation and then try to work with the IP/media partners.

[Anonymous User]

Anon to discuss interview and work exp. (I work at a different firm from those discussed here).

Note in the Chambers link that, while Weil's overall practice is not ranked as highly as the other firms on your list, the lead patent lit partner at Weil, Weiswasser, is considered a top-tier practitioner. From my experience and others' in patent lit in NY, they do very good work, there are just not as many people doing patent lit at Weil as those other firms on your list. Wilmer has an "IPcore" group that prosecutes, which the other three firms you're considering do not. Otherwise, I think these are all pretty high quality shops (congrats on having a good problem), and that you ought to be making the decision based on the personalities of the people you'll be working with. That will have a bigger impact on your experience than differences in the quality of work that each of these firms get/do at this level.

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm curious what everyone thinks when Kirkland, PW, and Fenwick are added to the mix.

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm curious what everyone thinks when Kirkland, PW, and Fenwick are added to the mix.

As someone with offers from a few of these firms (NY offices), interested in this too

[helloberk]

I have offers from Wilmer, Quinn, Paul Hastings, and Weil, all NYC office for patent/IP lit. Seriously stuck in the decision. Can't seem to flesh out any differences in quality and range of the patent work and clients, quality of life (except maybe at Quinn), benefits, exit/advancement opportunities, etc. Any tips or advice?

When did you interview if you don't mind sharing?

[Anonymous User]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm curious what everyone thinks when Kirkland, PW, and Fenwick are added to the mix.

As someone with offers from a few of these firms (NY offices), interested in this too

Anyone have thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

NY patent litigator here. Of all the options discussed thus far, Kirkland, Quinn, and WH are without question the top three options for OP.

From there, it comes down to what kind of environment OP wants to work in. Want to dive right in immediately and get substantive work early even if that means foregoing formal training, and don't mind the lack of transparency at a firm? Choose Quinn. Want a chance to get promoted early, get decent substantive work early, and like the eat-what-you-kill mindset, even though the hours will be awful? Choose Kirkland. Willing to forego promotion prospects for a more traditional biglaw environment with training and top-tier work in a "friendlier" environment? Choose WilmerHale.