Florida biglaw firms? Forum

[axolawtl]

Going through the OCI process in Florida, and I'd love to get this forum's take on Florida firms. Any information you have about their relative prestige, culture, differentiating factors, and strengths is appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Going through the OCI process in Florida, and I'd love to get this forum's take on Florida firms. Any information you have about their relative prestige, culture, differentiating factors, and strengths is appreciated. Thanks!

Vault’s rankings pretty much track for Florida. Miami is the market to be in.

For prestige, there’s not really any relative to NY/DC, but within Florida H&K is the top imo. I’ve heard good things out of there and I think (?) they pay market.

I would never in a million years work at Greenberg Traurig, mainly because I’ve never heard a single associate say they enjoy it there. I also don’t think they are paying market, but I could be wrong. Miami is their home turf though.

W&C, Weil, JD I’ve heard pretty good things about but they’re smaller offices, so you’ll want to make sure you’re into what they do (check NALP). JD is black box/under market comp so that’s a con, especially because you will work close to if not the same as associates in NYC.

Middle market firms like Akerman and Foley are definitely solid options that are probably slightly better lifestyle firms. I’ve heard Akerman in particular is a nice place to work.

[Anonymous User]

Anon because of identifying info. GT gets a weirdly terrible rep on this website but it’s honestly big law and it’s not like people work there for their health. I do think in the Miami area GT still gets the best work, though it is sweat shoppy and comp may be compressed after 2-3 years. H&K is good but I would be wary of their merger. Look at NRF in Texas if you want to see what can come of a mega merger. That being said I think Weil and W&C are probably the two best gigs in the city even if they don’t have as much prestige with lay folks in South Florida. MWE is a solid shop too.

[Anonymous User]

Worked in Florida and this is just my 2 cents:

H&K if you want a true biglaw work experience in Florida. Big, fancy office with hundreds of attorneys.

W&C and Weil if you want to get paid and still have a decent-sized office.

The other market paying firms if all you care about is money.

Akerman/Gunster/Bilzin/other top notch Florida firms if you want a better work-life balance with considerably less, but still very good, pay.

Greenberg if you hate yourself. GT gets a lot of crap on here because it is a terrible place to work (I know multiple people who have lateraled there and left within 1.5 years) AND you get paid undermarket.

[Anonymous User]

Gunster is around ~180k on just base salary now across all office for the new 2021 class. Definitely a cut above Bilzin in clients and work.

[Bllblhrs]

Gunster is around ~180k on just base salary now across all office for the new 2021 class. Definitely a cut above Bilzin in clients and work.

What sort of bonuses does Gunster pay?

[benson8500]

Gunster is around ~180k on just base salary now across all office for the new 2021 class. Definitely a cut above Bilzin in clients and work.

was just wondering abt this if you can speak to the gunster vs. bilzin decision? both seem to be great for FL lit with near market pay. what would make someone choose one over the other?