Most/least formal biglaw firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Obviously COVID has affected this to a substantial degree, but what were things like in the before times? I'm talking dress, honorifics (Mr. Partner) etc.

I know e.g., Quinn is on one end of the spectrum, but I'm less aware of the other end. Also curious to hear about regionality, as someone headed to the NY office of a major DC firm.

Edit: fixed post title

[Anonymous User]

Off the top of my head
Most formal: Cravath, S&C, DPW

Least formal: K&E, Latham, Skadden

[Anonymous User]

I recall WilmerHale NY didn't seem too formal (in a good way). Hogan NY didn't seem to formal either.

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin didn't seem stiffly formal when I summered there. Granted we were on Zoom but the hiring partner made the business casual dress code clear on the very first day as if their casual environment is something they take seriously. Internal emails did not include honorifics, IIRC.

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin didn't seem stiffly formal when I summered there. Granted we were on Zoom but the hiring partner made the business casual dress code clear on the very first day as if their casual environment is something they take seriously. Internal emails did not include honorifics, IIRC.

If they're still business casual at this point they're behind (you said summer so might have changed since). Thought everyone was in t-shirts and sweats by now

[lolwutpar]

I'd shoot myself before referring to anyone as "Mr.", especially internally.

I think some associate from Sidley Chicago once emailed me using "Mr." and it threw me off. Never seen that before or since.

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin didn't seem stiffly formal when I summered there. Granted we were on Zoom but the hiring partner made the business casual dress code clear on the very first day as if their casual environment is something they take seriously. Internal emails did not include honorifics, IIRC.

If they're still business casual at this point they're behind (you said summer so might have changed since). Thought everyone was in t-shirts and sweats by now

At Goodwin and pretty much everyone in T-shirts and sweats. And pre-COVID, the Bay Area offices were pretty relaxed (dress shirt, nice jeans and a hoodie would have been fine).

[Anonymous User]

I'd shoot myself before referring to anyone as "Mr.", especially internally.

I think some associate from Sidley Chicago once emailed me using "Mr." and it threw me off. Never seen that before or since.

My first email to the partner on my first assignment as a summer I called him “Mr.” and they made fun of me for a while about it.

As an associate whenever someone would hire an attorney from a smaller regional firm and they’d send emails opening with “Attorney Smith,” I felt like I was back in the 1950s or something.

[Anonymous User]

I would be really surprised if there are any V100 firms that require internal honorifics or formal dress. But Covington DC was at the more formal end of the spectrum. Business casual dress, and plenty of gunnery people chose to wear suits and ties every day. The firm was also really resistant to formal WFH arrangements, though obviously in reality it’s all about what the partners you work with care about. Assume that will change to some degree going forward.

As for regionality, the SF office was completely different from DC—they all wore the same casual stuff everyone in the Bay does. NY was pretty similar to DC.

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin didn't seem stiffly formal when I summered there. Granted we were on Zoom but the hiring partner made the business casual dress code clear on the very first day as if their casual environment is something they take seriously. Internal emails did not include honorifics, IIRC.

If they're still business casual at this point they're behind (you said summer so might have changed since). Thought everyone was in t-shirts and sweats by now

Yes, sorry should have clarified. Partner was referring to business casual in the office pre-COVID. Plenty of t-shirts on Zoom, obviously. This is an east coast office.

[Anonymous User]

I would be really surprised if there are any V100 firms that require internal honorifics or formal dress.

There are a handful of V100s that have business attire expectations in the office, at least pre-COVID. Knowing which firms were "suit every day" places was a real consideration at OCI. Unfortunately, that was a few years ago and I can't recall which firms had this policy (I just know that some of them did, and they were definitely in the V100 and more likely V50).

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin didn't seem stiffly formal when I summered there. Granted we were on Zoom but the hiring partner made the business casual dress code clear on the very first day as if their casual environment is something they take seriously. Internal emails did not include honorifics, IIRC.

If they're still business casual at this point they're behind (you said summer so might have changed since). Thought everyone was in t-shirts and sweats by now

Yes, sorry should have clarified. Partner was referring to business casual in the office pre-COVID. Plenty of t-shirts on Zoom, obviously. This is an east coast office.

Goodwin Boston attorney. Even pre-COVID, a lot of the firm was super casual. Sneakers, jeans and a hoody was fine in most corporate groups. A lot of long sleeve t shirts and casual vests. Sometimes just t shirts in the summer.

A little group dependent, but tech and PE are definitely closest to anything goes.