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GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:41 pm
by Anonymous User
Hi,

I am deciding between Greenberg and Ropes & Gray (NYC market). I am leaning towards transactional rather than litigation. I know just rank wise Ropes beats Greenberg by a mile. However, I actually liked the people I interviewed with at Greenberg more so I was wondering if anyone can speak more to the culture of both firms, rate of full-time offers after summer and any other factors I should consider.

Thanks in advance!! Much appreciated.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:21 pm
by Anonymous User
Former GT (admittedly non NYC) associate here - Take Ropes or find someplace you like the people more.

GT is just plain cheap to its associates and will look to find an excuse to pay you less. NY office also has a sweatshop reputation.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:21 pm
by Anonymous User
Duplicate

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 3:33 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 1:41 pm
Hi,

I am deciding between Greenberg and Ropes & Gray (NYC market). I am leaning towards transactional rather than litigation. I know just rank wise Ropes beats Greenberg by a mile. However, I actually liked the people I interviewed with at Greenberg more so I was wondering if anyone can speak more to the culture of both firms, rate of full-time offers after summer and any other factors I should consider.

Thanks in advance!! Much appreciated.
Most of the time "fit" matters, but this time it doesn't. Pick Ropes.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 4:50 pm
by Anonymous User
Former GT NY associate

Comp at GT is black box after the first year or two. I wouldn’t go there if you have offers from other market paying firms.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:01 pm
by Anonymous User
This is Ropes; I don't think it's even close.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:07 pm
by Anonymous User
Ropes all the way.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:32 pm
by Wubbles
Ropes by a mile. Also liked the people I interviewed with at GT back in the day but they honestly are just good at picking the best people there for interviews

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:46 pm
by 1styearlateral
All of the above is true from my experience as well, but dropping in to add that GT's NYC office is pretty bland/bad. Don't know what Ropes' looks like, but couldn't be worse than GT's.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:30 pm
by Anonymous User
1styearlateral wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:46 pm
All of the above is true from my experience as well, but dropping in to add that GT's NYC office is pretty bland/bad. Don't know what Ropes' looks like, but couldn't be worse than GT's.
If fairness GT is moving into a brand new office in Jan 2022 that will be super nice. I had a similar choice between GT and a Ropes caliber firm but they were in different locations and I chose GT for location. I don’t regret it. GT is cheap but it has more merits (particularly outside of Fl) than people give it credit for. I think you probably take Ropes in this case but it’s not necessarily as easy as people make it out to be. GT works for a certain type of person and that person may be you.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:13 pm
by Anonymous User
Anon because I work at Ropes.

If your interest is general transactional rather than real estate, then I think the prudent decision is to go to Ropes. Mainly because Ropes will pay you market past year one. Bonuses are black box after year 2, but similar to Kirkland, that generally means top associates getting paid extra. It's not a scheme to pay below market.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 7:32 am
by 2013
Anonymous User wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:30 pm
1styearlateral wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:46 pm
All of the above is true from my experience as well, but dropping in to add that GT's NYC office is pretty bland/bad. Don't know what Ropes' looks like, but couldn't be worse than GT's.
If fairness GT is moving into a brand new office in Jan 2022 that will be super nice. I had a similar choice between GT and a Ropes caliber firm but they were in different locations and I chose GT for location. I don’t regret it. GT is cheap but it has more merits (particularly outside of Fl) than people give it credit for. I think you probably take Ropes in this case but it’s not necessarily as easy as people make it out to be. GT works for a certain type of person and that person may be you.
The certain type of person GT works for is someone who couldn’t get an offer at a market-paying firm. It’s not close at all, especially in NY. GT is so black box that associates in some offices don’t even know what the starting salary for that office is… I think this is because GT handpicks who gets $205 and who doesn’t.

GT may have helped free Britney, but I wouldn’t do it.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 8:04 am
by Grazzhoppa
Absolutely Ropes. GT is open about the fact that they expect 2000+ hours from associates while paying below market.

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2021 2:36 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:30 pm
1styearlateral wrote:
Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:46 pm
All of the above is true from my experience as well, but dropping in to add that GT's NYC office is pretty bland/bad. Don't know what Ropes' looks like, but couldn't be worse than GT's.
If fairness GT is moving into a brand new office in Jan 2022 that will be super nice. I had a similar choice between GT and a Ropes caliber firm but they were in different locations and I chose GT for location. I don’t regret it. GT is cheap but it has more merits (particularly outside of Fl) than people give it credit for. I think you probably take Ropes in this case but it’s not necessarily as easy as people make it out to be. GT works for a certain type of person and that person may be you.
Did the firm confirm the move-in date? I thought they were moving in Oct 2021

Re: GT vs. Ropes (NYC)

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:46 am
by Anonymous User
I chose GT over a market paying firm because of location and I regretted it. Longest hours of any firm I’ve worked for. Terrible bosses. Not respected by other lawyers you’ll work with. Always getting shafted on raises and bonus. I left for a market paying firm and it was a great choice.