Firm choice Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello everyone,

I believe I'm going to be picking between these firms, any insights would be extremely helpful!

Jackson Walker (Dallas)
Jackson Lewis (Dallas/Nashville)
Baker Donelson (Houston/Nashville)
Akerman (Dallas)
Lewis Thomason (Nashville)

I'm not sold on making partner, but wouldn't mind it. I'm generally interested in Lit, White Collar, and L&E, with L&E being my main interest, which points to Jackson Lewis, I think?
Any thoughts on these firms, salary ranges, culture (work life balance), partnership prospects? Any insight would be appreciated.

[musiccityboer]

Hello everyone,

I believe I'm going to be picking between these firms, any insights would be extremely helpful!

Jackson Walker (Dallas)
Jackson Lewis (Dallas/Nashville)
Baker Donelson (Houston/Nashville)
Akerman (Dallas)
Lewis Thomason (Nashville)

I'm not sold on making partner, but wouldn't mind it. I'm generally interested in Lit, White Collar, and L&E, with L&E being my main interest, which points to Jackson Lewis, I think?
Any thoughts on these firms, salary ranges, culture (work life balance), partnership prospects? Any insight would be appreciated.

Born and raised in Nashville, and the only one of the TN firms I've heard of is Baker (which IIRC is now the comp leader in Nash @ 185k as a first-year). Jackson Walker pays NY market (and does complex BigTex work), I think, while I don't know anything about Akerman.

I would choose first on city. If Nashville, go to Baker, if Dallas, go to Jackson Walker.

[Anonymous User]

If you are going to go to Dallas I would second picking JW. Well respected big Tex firm overall, culture is good but depends on partners and group, not sure about their lit work.

I think you should figure out where you want to live as your first step. Dallas vs. Houston vs. Nashville all have different feels.

[Anonymous User]

This is the OP. I'm from a smaller town outside of Nashville, so I'm fairly familiar with the city. I've got family in Dallas and know it well too. I'm less familiar with Dallas and Houston compared to Nashville, but feel like they may have more opportunities than Nashville given their size.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested Jackson Lewis tbh, since it is the highest "ranked" firm, but I guess its presence in the South isn't like Baker; and in Texas, Jackson Walker is considered quite good.
I appreciate the insight from everyone!
Pay is certainly important to me, so good to hear that Jackson Walker pays well.

[Anonymous User]

This is the OP. I'm from a smaller town outside of Nashville, so I'm fairly familiar with the city. I've got family in Dallas and know it well too. I'm less familiar with Dallas and Houston compared to Nashville, but feel like they may have more opportunities than Nashville given their size.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested Jackson Lewis tbh, since it is the highest "ranked" firm, but I guess its presence in the South isn't like Baker; and in Texas, Jackson Walker is considered quite good.
I appreciate the insight from everyone!
Pay is certainly important to me, so good to hear that Jackson Walker pays well.

Jackson Lewis is a strong L&E firm but I don't think many would regard it as more "prestigious" than a good regional full-service firm, especially as it's significantly below market. I would only consider Jackson Lewis if you're dead-set on L&E.

[Anonymous User]

I work in Dallas and would recommend Jackson Walker over the others.