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DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:23 am
by Anonymous User
NY litigation.
Cons I see for Skadden rn: not crazy about having to pick a group at the end of the summer, a bit concerned over rumors that they're not very accommodating with new parents, seems like a lot of associates are K-JD and I am not. Cons for DPW: heard they quietly laid off a bunch of litigators a few years ago?, having trouble determining whether its exit opps are worse in any way than Skadden's. Not really sure what my end game is but would like to be able to stay at whichever I pick for at least a few years, possibly longer term. Enjoyed my interviews with both.
Would welcome comments in addition to votes!
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:54 am
by Anonymous User
DPW >>>>> Skadden
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:10 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:23 am
NY litigation.
Cons I see for Skadden rn: not crazy about having to pick a group at the end of the summer, a bit concerned over rumors that they're not very accommodating with new parents, seems like a lot of associates are K-JD and I am not. Cons for DPW: heard they quietly laid off a bunch of litigators a few years ago?, having trouble determining whether its exit opps are worse in any way than Skadden's. Not really sure what my end game is but would like to be able to stay at whichever I pick for at least a few years, possibly longer term. Enjoyed my interviews with both.
Would welcome comments in addition to votes!
Two great options. FWIW Skadden is a more outgoing culture, DPW is a bit more conservative. Think about where you fit in with the people that will be around you every day.
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:18 am
by Anonymous User
Not to hijack this post, but I'm making the same decision between DPW and Skadden but for corporate work. With everything being remote this year, it's hard to really get a sense of fit. Curious if people think the same for corporate work in addition to litigation. Still undecided within corporate, but potentially interested in M&A, where I know Skadden has an edge.
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:44 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 11:18 am
Not to hijack this post, but I'm making the same decision between DPW and Skadden but for corporate work. With everything being remote this year, it's hard to really get a sense of fit. Curious if people think the same for corporate work in addition to litigation. Still undecided within corporate, but potentially interested in M&A, where I know Skadden has an edge.
Both are great options for corporate. Skadden definitely has a bigger M&A group, but both are Band 1 and I don't think there is an edge in quality. I'd say DPW has the edge with most other corporate practices (capital markets, finance, restructuring) as far as I know and from what Chambers seems to indicate. Would reiterate what the poster above mentioned about them being pretty different from a cultural pov. There are also other important differences that could impact your life as an associate, such as billable requirements and differences in how they do staffing.
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:23 pm
by Anonymous User
You wouldn't be making a wrong choice with either, but DPW probably has a slight edge over Skadden. Both will have great exit opps.
As an aside, none of the top firms are accommodating of new parents (especially new mothers). I'm at a firm that has gotten tons of praise for its benefits for parents, and I've still worked alongside several men and women who were back at work the day after having a baby.
Re: DPW vs Skadden
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:41 am
by Anonymous User
Former Skadden associate here. Wish I’d gone to DPW instead. No hours requirement, generally better culture, better practice group (and more broadly respected, I’d say) for everything other than M&A. Even people at Skadden respect DPW more than their own firm in the non-M&A practice groups. If M&A, though, would say Skadden probably. But if not sure, DPW.