Want to end up in Texas: Start at V5 in NYC? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi All -- I have offers at both a V5 in NYC and a solid regional firm in Dallas and struggling with figuring out which to take. I would love to be in NYC for a few years and I'm sure I'll get great experience, but longer term I want to end up in Texas (preferably Dallas, but okay with Austin or Houston) either at a firm on in-house. Is it silly to give up an offer in that market or does is NYC name / experience strong enough to help lateral a few years down the line? I'm interested in general corporate work, ideally M&A but honestly no idea. From what I know, I'd like to avoid PE work but beggars can't be choosers. Thanks!

[HIREMEPLZ]

Does your V5 have a Texas office? Internal transfers between offices tend to be easier than laterals, from what I hear.

[hdr]

I'd go with the V5. You'll have guaranteed biglaw income for at least a few years and you can probably lateral to a V100 in Texas. Regional firms don't provide the same security; they're far more likely to cut summer programs, give lots of no-offers, conduct layoffs, etc. With the pandemic still raging I wouldn't risk it.

[Anonymous User]

Would also agree with the V5 option, just opens up many more doors later on.

[Anonymous User]

Really depends on which TX firm and which V5. If by "regional" you mean not V&E and not a strong national satellite, and the V5 isn't Latham, then I'd say NY is the safest and best choice for your goals and you shouldn't worry about lateralling -- you'll be fine. If your choice is Latham vs. V&E/strong national satellite and you want to be in TX, I'd go straight to TX. My goals and options were similar and that's roughly where I drew the line.

[Iowahawk]

Would also agree with the V5 option, just opens up many more doors later on.

If you actually want to be in Texas, it definitely won't open any more doors than e.g. Baker Botts or Yetter Coleman. It really depends on what OP is calling the "solid regional firm." Not enough info in the OP to give a real answer.

[Anonymous User]

Would also agree with the V5 option, just opens up many more doors later on.

If you actually want to be in Texas, it definitely won't open any more doors than e.g. Baker Botts or Yetter Coleman. It really depends on what OP is calling the "solid regional firm." Not enough info in the OP to give a real answer.

Working at SullCrom/Latham/Skadden NY will absolutely open more doors in Texas than working at Baker Botts would. Maybe ten years ago there was an argument to be made for BB over NY V5, but those days are long gone. I’d hesitate to even recommend VE to OP at this point. The top students targeting Texas don’t look to those firms first now. They look to Latham, KE, etc.

I’m not as familiar with the lit scene so won’t comment on Yetter Coleman.

[Anonymous User]

Would also agree with the V5 option, just opens up many more doors later on.

If you actually want to be in Texas, it definitely won't open any more doors than e.g. Baker Botts or Yetter Coleman. It really depends on what OP is calling the "solid regional firm." Not enough info in the OP to give a real answer.

Working at SullCrom/Latham/Skadden NY will absolutely open more doors in Texas than working at Baker Botts would. Maybe ten years ago there was an argument to be made for BB over NY V5, but those days are long gone. I’d hesitate to even recommend VE to OP at this point. The top students targeting Texas don’t look to those firms first now. They look to Latham, KE, etc.

I’m not as familiar with the lit scene so won’t comment on Yetter Coleman.

Depends entirely on what VE office. Telling someone who wants to end up in any Texas city to take NY V5 over VE Houston is insanity. if KE and Latham overtake VE in Houston and drive them into BB status there, which they haven't yet, then VE associates/partners will still have great exit options.

That being said, Dallas is a lot different and we wouldn't be able to answer without knowing what Texas regional (which usually doesn't mean VE or BB) OP is talking about. NY V5 is likely the better option.