Bankruptcy Group with Great Culture? Forum

[Anonymous User]

So, I work for a top tier bankruptcy group right now. It's not bad at all, especially with WFH. However, bankruptcy as a practice is a bit slow right now/in a lull. There are a few big cases, but nothing massive. Some people have no work, others are swamped. A few months ago it was all hands on deck hell, but now it slowed significantly for a lot of people. I'm interested in meeting/speaking with other bankruptcy partners and groups to get a feel for their culture and practice. Are there any thoughts on which firms have really collegial, good, bankruptcy groups? Kramer Levin, White and Case, Stroock, Weil, Kirkland, Paul Weiss, Akin, Pachulski, O'Melveny, Milbank, WLRK, Duane Morris, and any others? Any thoughts? I know Weil and Kirkland are top in terms of debtor work, but I'm interested in learning about which has a really good culture (not overly competitive, value loyalty, give a lot of opportunities to succeed).

[Anonymous User]

I've worked alongside the Skadden restructuring group on a few matters. Everyone there seems pretty friendly + v competent. Their practice itself is a tier below Weil/Kirkland's but still a v good mostly debtor-side shop. And the culture is probs one of the best I've encountered (probs bc they're a smallish team, like 20ish folks total?

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

[Anonymous User]

2L here. I’ve heard that the hours and WL balance on the creditor side are somewhat better than the big debtor side meatgrinders (Weil, KE). Is that true?

In terms of pace / hours, where does a top creditor RX practice fall relative to M&A and CM?

[Anonymous User]

Can confirm Skadden's Rx team has a great culture + very competent. Though with the loss of a few rainmakers it is quite a step below K&E/Weil. To the above, creditors will have better w/l balance as compared to debtors given the relatively fewer fire drills, but it still is Rx. Expect to be worked hard. Would still consider it on par in terms of hours with CM and M&A. I have friends at DPW and Milbank who were absolutely crushed over the summer.

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

As someone who works and has worked at a few of the top shops, one thing is the same - everyone hates working across from the white and case rx team, who are universally considered to be aggressive unreasonable jerkoffs. Maybe it’s not so bad on the inside though if you have the right personality for it

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

I know a formal paralegal at W&C NY who strongly warned everyone off it, it didn’t sound like a happy place to work, though they were in M&A not RX.

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

I know a formal paralegal at W&C NY who strongly warned everyone off it, it didn’t sound like a happy place to work, though they were in M&A not RX.

I'm the one who posted the message above. I've heard bad things about White and Case too, but not their bankruptcy group. I've heard good things actually about their bankruptcy group. Could be misleading because it was from someone currently working there, but just saying.

[Anonymous User]

bump. Curious about Pachulski particularly.

I'm curious about Kramer Levin and Pachulski as well. Heard White and Case has a good practice and good culture (bankruptcy, not about other groups).

I know a formal paralegal at W&C NY who strongly warned everyone off it, it didn’t sound like a happy place to work, though they were in M&A not RX.

I'm the one who posted the message above. I've heard bad things about White and Case too, but not their bankruptcy group. I've heard good things actually about their bankruptcy group. Could be misleading because it was from someone currently working there, but just saying.

What about Kramer Levin? Is there practice still as strong as it used to be? They were big on the creditor side.