DPW v. Cleary v. Deb (NY lit) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Sorry for another one of these but I do feel pretty deadlocked and am not sure if it's just because there are no bad choices here.

Pretty committed to lit though I suppose there's a chance I'd be open to taking on corporate assignments in the summer just to see. Within lit, I'm really interested in white collar/investigations but I want the firm to be strong in general commercial lit so I get a wider variety of exposure. Really important: quality of exit opportunities + the network of current attorneys and alumni (gov't opportunities especially). Also important to the extent this is possible within BigLaw: a reasonable quality of life to the extent possible, good culture/vibes generally, exposure to substantive work as early as possible.

I've spoken to lots of associates at each now but I feel like I'm not gaining any new clarity on anything here. If I had to pick, I'd say I liked the people at Cleary the best but I also feel like it's impossible to get a full sense over Zoom. Anything that I'm not thinking about?

[Anonymous User]

Avoid Cleary for litigation. They don’t have enough work to staff their associates and have been firing and shedding mid-levels when every other peer is desperate to snatch them up. There’s been something in the water in Cleary litigation the past two years and I wouldn’t take a chance on it when you have such good alternatives.

I would therefore pick whichever you like best between Davis Polk and Debevoise. Both are extremely strong in white collar. If you like securities / finance cases, Davis Polk has the edge. For international arbitration, Debevoise is top notch, although don’t count on working in that area without some pitch (eg Portuguese speaker). I know it’s really difficult to discern your preferences virtually, but I don’t think you’ll regret the choice between the two.

[Anonymous User]

I would therefore pick whichever you like best between Davis Polk and Debevoise. Both are extremely strong in white collar. If you like securities / finance cases, Davis Polk has the edge. For international arbitration, Debevoise is top notch, although don’t count on working in that area without some pitch (eg Portuguese speaker). I know it’s really difficult to discern your preferences virtually, but I don’t think you’ll regret the choice between the two.

Agree with all of this (cannot speak to Cleary, but I envy their office location). Will add that I chose Deb over DPW for litigation because I liked the people there better. A senior associate at my DPW second look really rubbed me the wrong way. Both firms have really stuffy reputations in the office, but I got the impression that Debevoise associates have interesting lives outside of the office. My summer confirmed that. The work was also quite interesting. Deb has a lower Chambers ranking for securities litigation, but also the former head of the SEC and head of the enforcement division are there, so it pulls its weight in securities lit too. I would say do second looks and see what you think. There are a number of former DPW people at Debevoise they will put you in touch with if you ask.

[Anonymous User]

OP here, thanks so much to you both! This is really helpful perspective.