Torn between DPW & STB Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have offers at Davis Polk and Simpson and I’m completely torn between the two.

Liked the people at both a lot. Simpson I might have liked them a touch more but they also took a lot longer to give me an offer. I’m also a little more inclined to PE and hedge fund clients so that may tilt Simpson.

But for some reason Davis Polk is stuck in my head — might be the fact they’ve been comp leaders lately.

Is there any benefit of DPW over STB?

Ideal possible practice would be cap markets, real estate or finance

[Anonymous User]

DPW has the edge on capital markets. DPW also has the edge on finance as lender's counsel. DPW is making strides in PE but STB is ahead at this point. For real estate, most (75%) of STB's work focuses on one client: Blackstone. DPW has a smaller Real Estate practice so it might be tough to get that as a preferred rotation full time. In terms of comp, seems likely that DPW will keep pushing as the leader for the foreseeable future, but since nearly all the top firms match the top scales, I think comp leader only matters if you're choosing between two firms where one may not be able to match in the future.

I think you should probably see if you can get a 2nd look and speak to some more people at both firms and get a better view.

[BrainsyK]

Taking longer to give you an offer means nothing. Being a comp leader means nothing (same pay at the end of the day). The two are basically interchangeable for finance unless you're talking finer points. Ignoring how well you clicked with people (scoping out personalities is basically impossible even with a second look because everyone is on their guard with you), I'd pick DPW unless you're a hardcore RE gunner. DPW is better for CapM.

[Anonymous User]

Taking longer to give you an offer means nothing. Being a comp leader means nothing (same pay at the end of the day). The two are basically interchangeable for finance unless you're talking finer points. Ignoring how well you clicked with people (scoping out personalities is basically impossible even with a second look because everyone is on their guard with you), I'd pick DPW unless you're a hardcore RE gunner. DPW is better for CapM.

DPW is an elite lender credit shop and STB is a PE-reliant borrower-side shop. Prestige-wise they're about the same but they're not interchangeable in the slightest.

[BrainsyK]

DPW is an elite lender credit shop and STB is a PE-reliant borrower-side shop. Prestige-wise they're about the same but they're not interchangeable in the slightest.

I would consider that a finer point for law students.