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2L here. I had my 1L Summer at the V50 and the current plan is to split my Summer between the V50 and the V20, with most of my time spent at the new V20. I'm starting to try to think of what I need to consider in order to make my choice in the end, and I'd be interested in the thoughts of those who have seen Biglaw from within. I fully intend to put in the work this Summer to avoid some bizarre no offer scenario.

Notes:

• This is in a non-NY-but-still-major market.

• The V20 is headquartered in the market whereas the V50 is not.

• The V50 is giving signals they will allow me to choose my preferred practice area, which is small at most Biglaw firms, including at the V20's office.

• I will not know how likely my chances are at the V20 of working in my preferred practice area until the end of Summer, if at all.

• The V50 intends to give me a small scholarship for 3L (think 8-14K range), if I accept their offer after the Summer.

• The V50's headquarters are strangely conveniently-placed for my family (mom), who lives near them.

• I really liked my V50 1L experience and really like the firm generally, including its clients from what I've seen so far.

• I also really like the V20 so far. Obviously, it has great clients too.

• V50 has lower billables. There may be (actually likely to be) a significant difference in hours in practice.

• Exits are likely better maybe even quite a bit better at the V20.

• Partnership prospects are better at the V50.

• V50 is modestly-sized in the market but seems to be prioritizing the office for growth.

Thoughts?

It'll be hard for you to tell where you would prefer to work until you've worked at the V20 this summer. From what you've written the V50 seems to have a slight edge, but at the end of the day you need to pick where you'll be happiest, because biglaw is grueling no matter where you go.

That's a tough choice as both seem to have several strong advantages. I'll second what the poster above me said -- see how you feel at the end of the summer.

If I were you, I think it would mostly hinge on whether I could get my preferred practice area, especially if you know for certain what it is you want to be doing post law-school. That weighs in favor of V50. On the other hand, I personally would want to work at a firm's headquarters if possible, especially if the V50 is a smaller outpost. But that's a matter of personal preference.

And I wouldn't bank on the billables/workload being appreciably different between the firms, unless you've heard that consistently from junior associates that you trust at each firm.

At the end of the day, see what your gut says after this summer.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:14 pm

• Exits are likely better maybe even quite a bit better at the V20.

What's your basis for saying this? Do you know where people have gone from these firms, or is it an assumption based on the Vault ranking? Or is it a function of the V20 being headquartered in the market? What about exits out of you preferred practice area specifically, as opposed to the firm generally?

What do you hope to get out of the experience - do you think you want to aim for partner or do you have a specific exit that you'd like to make that you think one will better help you with than the other?

If the V20 is Ropes Boston, I don’t think you should be turning that down.

2013 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:34 pm

If the V20 is Ropes Boston, I don’t think you should be turning that down.

Not Boston. Sorry for the vagueness -- it's a necessary evil given the situation.

2013 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:34 pm

If the V20 is Ropes Boston, I don’t think you should be turning that down.

Not Boston. Sorry for the vagueness -- it's a necessary evil given the situation.