Page 1 of 1
King+Spalding (Atlanta)
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:27 pm
by Anonymous User
I'm considering lateraling to a position in K+S's Atlanta or DC office. (Trying to move closer to my wife's family, so Atlanta is the preference.). I'm a midlevel at an Amlaw100 in another market doing EBEC work (never done any deal work, though).
I'm curious as to thoughts/general consensus about K+S generally, and it's Atlanta office in particular. I'm regularly working 2000+ hours at my current firm and being paid significantly less than the larger firms are paying. My work is fairly steady, which means it's easy to hit 2000+ with predictability and without a too crazy schedule.
I'm assuming the K+S work is heavily deal focused, so it'll be much different from my current work. I don't mind if the work is a bit more manic than currently, or if it involves more hours, but I've got two small kids, so I'd like to go into things with eyes wide open. (The work/life of my current firm is nice, but boy that pay hurts.)
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Re: King+Spalding (Atlanta)
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:33 pm
by Anonymous User
No direct K+S info, but I lateraled from a non-deal EBEC practice to a deal practice at a similar sized firm. The hours don’t come as steadily, unfortunately. There are sometimes weeks I bill under 20 hours, followed by weeks of 60 hours. And it’s not a solid 12-hour (8-8) day. It can be like 9-6, then 10-1 (if corporate is on your ass about diligence).
I went into it thinking it won’t be that different, but it was a real shock. When you go from being in a self-sustaining practice with its large institutional clients to a deal support practice, you realize you have significantly less control over your work/time. I think K+S probably may not be as extreme a shift given its larger team and practice area coverage.
Honestly, if you’re open to DC, you should look into the boutiques. I think some of them are hiring now. Better hours than biglaw and probably significantly better pay than you’re getting now (I think groom pays Cravath scale salary).
Re: King+Spalding (Atlanta)
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:18 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:27 pm
I'm considering lateraling to a position in K+S's Atlanta or DC office. (Trying to move closer to my wife's family, so Atlanta is the preference.). I'm a midlevel at an Amlaw100 in another market doing EBEC work (never done any deal work, though).
I'm curious as to thoughts/general consensus about K+S generally, and it's Atlanta office in particular. I'm regularly working 2000+ hours at my current firm and being paid significantly less than the larger firms are paying. My work is fairly steady, which means it's easy to hit 2000+ with predictability and without a too crazy schedule.
I'm assuming the K+S work is heavily deal focused, so it'll be much different from my current work. I don't mind if the work is a bit more manic than currently, or if it involves more hours, but I've got two small kids, so I'd like to go into things with eyes wide open. (The work/life of my current firm is nice, but boy that pay hurts.)
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
The good news is that starting June 1, all K&S offices are on the Cravath salary scale, and have matched special bonuses.
No idea about EBEC work at K&S but I can tell you that everyone I know is busy, and most of the people I know bill a fair bit (i.e., 2250+). The new bonus floor is 1950. Obviously the workload is going to be group dependent.
It's still arguably the most prestigious firm in Atlanta, so if you need to lateral that's helpful (in Atlanta at least). Many associates I know do a majority of their workload for other offices, so it shouldn't be an issue to live in Atlanta and work on DC matters (unless your Atlanta partners drown you, of course).
I mean, it's biglaw. But they pay pretty well.
Re: King+Spalding (Atlanta)
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:22 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:33 pm
No direct K+S info, but I lateraled from a non-deal EBEC practice to a deal practice at a similar sized firm. The hours don’t come as steadily, unfortunately. There are sometimes weeks I bill under 20 hours, followed by weeks of 60 hours. And it’s not a solid 12-hour (8-8) day. It can be like 9-6, then 10-1 (if corporate is on your ass about diligence).
I went into it thinking it won’t be that different, but it was a real shock. When you go from being in a self-sustaining practice with its large institutional clients to a deal support practice, you realize you have significantly less control over your work/time. I think K+S probably may not be as extreme a shift given its larger team and practice area coverage.
Honestly, if you’re open to DC, you should look into the boutiques. I think some of them are hiring now. Better hours than biglaw and probably significantly better pay than you’re getting now (I think groom pays Cravath scale salary).
OP here - Great points, and you've identified my concern re: the self-sustaining practice to deal support. I'll consider the DC piece as well.