Chicago: Kirkland v Latham Forum

[Anonymous User]

Trying to decide whether Kirkland Chicago or Latham Chicago would be better for me career wise?
Going through pre-OCI and OCI (soon) and trying to figure out what to do. Looking to do white collar/government investigations work - but litigation more broadly is fine too.
Just haven’t really been able to figure out if Kirkland Chicago is really as bad as the rumors are? Or if it’s true that litigation takes a backseat to corporate at Latham Chicago?
Any advice or insight is appreciated?

Alternatively is there a better option in Chicago I should be looking at for white collar/investigations (Sidley? McDermott?) ??

Pls help.

[Anonymous User]

Trying to decide whether Kirkland Chicago or Latham Chicago would be better for me career wise?
Going through pre-OCI and OCI (soon) and trying to figure out what to do. Looking to do white collar/government investigations work - but litigation more broadly is fine too.
Just haven’t really been able to figure out if Kirkland Chicago is really as bad as the rumors are? Or if it’s true that litigation takes a backseat to corporate at Latham Chicago?
Any advice or insight is appreciated?

Alternatively is there a better option in Chicago I should be looking at for white collar/investigations (Sidley? McDermott?) ??

Pls help.

I recently joined KE as a lateral and faced a similar decision. I have been pleasantly surprised by KE. People have been nice and welcoming. You have to be able to stand up for yourself and be able to say "no" when you're busy. People are understanding of this, but a lot of people still don't do this basic step and get overwhelmed.

And, no there are no better options. There are equals but no one better.

[Anonymous User]

I'm pretty sure the rumors about KE Chicago are decade old flame. Someone a decade ago said it's a tough place to work and yadda yadda. Then, that person's account has been repeated ad nauseam as some sort of reality. In my time working at Kirkland (I lateraled to a secondary/tertiary market where they didn't have an office (think Milwaukee/Minneappolis/Detroit), I had nothing but positive experiences. My only "negative" experiences were dealing with some people who just didn't share my personality/flow, which I've found everywhere. "Negative" in the sense that they're not my favorite interactions/things to do, but it was nothing actually bad. The partners were supportive of me taking vacation when needed and let me get the type of work I wanted. As long as I turned things in on time, asked questions, made an attempt, etc. (aka wasn't intentionally a shitty worker), I never had a truly bad experience. Some of the firm's clients were sometimes unreasonable, but you can't do much about that. You'll definitely never want for work, which can make some tough stretches, but if you say "no"/you're capped out, then it'll generally be respected.

I've worked with Latham, but I haven't really paid attention to if the folks were out of the Chi office. I have a few friends from law school there, and I know it's an equally selective and great firm.

Personally, I'd choose Kirkland, because it is the name in town, the firm is, obviously, native to Chicago, and it's Chicago office is much larger (600 vs 200). But, you're not going to go wrong here. Pick whichever one you feel most comfortable with and think will get you the work you want.

[Anonymous User]

for white collar/investigation work, Sidley + tbh quite a few others over Kirkland. Sidley, Mayer.. and honestly, Winston too.

[Anonymous User]

I worked at Latham Chicago. Id choose Kirkland. You'll work about the same, the work is similarly sophisticated, Kirkland is more prestigious in Chicago and Kirkand pays more.

That being said, Latham isn't a bad choice. It's more like choosing an A+ firm vs a firm that I'd almost A+.

I should also add I've seen my colleagues lateral to Kirkland (for the $$$$). I haven't seen Kikrland folks lateral to Latham as it's the same work just for less money.

[Anonymous User]

for white collar/investigation work, Sidley + tbh quite a few others over Kirkland. Sidley, Mayer.. and honestly, Winston too.

I think there might be downsides to Skadden--I seem to remember from OCI that they lock you into practice groups early?--but Pat Fitzgerald is phenomenal.

I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the top Chicago lit firms, there's not a ton of difference among them for white collar afaik.