Any insights on Dovel & Luner? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Aside from the pay and the selectivity, any insight on actual work, intensity, culture, etc.? Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

I think they also go to OCI at Stanford..so maybe it’s just a coincidence, considering their size, the data points might not be representative. Plus Dovel himself and half of the partners went to Harvard, so when it comes to resume review and interview, students from HLS would probably be easier to click with them…

[Anonymous User]

All I know is their office is basically on the beach. Pretty dope. Beats Midtown Manhattan...

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

I think they also go to OCI at Stanford..so maybe it’s just a coincidence, considering their size, the data points might not be representative. Plus Dovel himself and half of the partners went to Harvard, so when it comes to resume review and interview, students from HLS would probably be easier to click with them…

I just skimmed the SLS OCI grades database and nothing popped up for D&L, so either a) they didn't come or b) they made no callback offers.

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

I think they also go to OCI at Stanford..so maybe it’s just a coincidence, considering their size, the data points might not be representative. Plus Dovel himself and half of the partners went to Harvard, so when it comes to resume review and interview, students from HLS would probably be easier to click with them…

I just skimmed the SLS OCI grades database and nothing popped up for D&L, so either a) they didn't come or b) they made no callback offers.

Quoted anon here. That’s interesting…I have a friend at H who interviewed there last year, basically all interviewers were from HLS and they talked about profs and classes etc. during the interview. So maybe that’s it.

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

I think they also go to OCI at Stanford..so maybe it’s just a coincidence, considering their size, the data points might not be representative. Plus Dovel himself and half of the partners went to Harvard, so when it comes to resume review and interview, students from HLS would probably be easier to click with them…

I just skimmed the SLS OCI grades database and nothing popped up for D&L, so either a) they didn't come or b) they made no callback offers.

They used to do OCI at SLS. Not sure if they still do. I believe it hires 1L and 2L summers occasionally, maybe informally. The firm is tiny, almost never hires new associates, and doesn't have any associates hired from clerkships (I think). Very different from Susman or Kellogg.

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?

I think they also go to OCI at Stanford..so maybe it’s just a coincidence, considering their size, the data points might not be representative. Plus Dovel himself and half of the partners went to Harvard, so when it comes to resume review and interview, students from HLS would probably be easier to click with them…

I just skimmed the SLS OCI grades database and nothing popped up for D&L, so either a) they didn't come or b) they made no callback offers.

They used to do OCI at SLS. Not sure if they still do. I believe it hires 1L and 2L summers occasionally, maybe informally. The firm is tiny, almost never hires new associates, and doesn't have any associates hired from clerkships (I think). Very different from Susman or Kellogg.

Actually they’ve had summer associates every year for…basically 10 years (maybe all from HLS?), and they hired 2 new associates in 2020 and another 2 in 2021. I believe 1-2 associates became partner last year or the year before, that’s why they only have junior associates now.

[Anonymous User]

Summered there as a 1L back when they were almost exclusively patent-trolling. Very smart lawyers, although--at the time--it wasn't clear that the business had a promising future. They seem to have pivoted pretty successfully to class-action work in the last few years, so it doesn't seem like Greg Dovel is content just to rest on his laurels. That said, it's a supremely strange place, and most of the lawyers--while probably well-meaning--are not particularly well-adjusted. If you can pull the offer, I think it's a perfectly fine place to try; but only because the fact of the offer means you've got the credentials to take a mulligan if it blows up in your face. (In my experience, the firm is *significantly* more selective at H and S than *just* top ten percent, lol.)

[Anonymous User]

Summered there as a 1L back when they were almost exclusively patent-trolling. Very smart lawyers, although--at the time--it wasn't clear that the business had a promising future. They seem to have pivoted pretty successfully to class-action work in the last few years, so it doesn't seem like Greg Dovel is content just to rest on his laurels. That said, it's a supremely strange place, and most of the lawyers--while probably well-meaning--are not particularly well-adjusted. If you can pull the offer, I think it's a perfectly fine place to try; but only because the fact of the offer means you've got the credentials to take a mulligan if it blows up in your face. (In my experience, the firm is *significantly* more selective at H and S than *just* top ten percent, lol.)

Do you mind elaborating on what’s supremely strange about them? Thanks so much!

[Anonymous User]

Summered there as a 1L back when they were almost exclusively patent-trolling. Very smart lawyers, although--at the time--it wasn't clear that the business had a promising future. They seem to have pivoted pretty successfully to class-action work in the last few years, so it doesn't seem like Greg Dovel is content just to rest on his laurels. That said, it's a supremely strange place, and most of the lawyers--while probably well-meaning--are not particularly well-adjusted. If you can pull the offer, I think it's a perfectly fine place to try; but only because the fact of the offer means you've got the credentials to take a mulligan if it blows up in your face. (In my experience, the firm is *significantly* more selective at H and S than *just* top ten percent, lol.)

Different anon. Also curious if they give return offer to the SAs?

[Anonymous User]

Worked adverse to them on a troll case. I got some weird vibes from the lawyers (though I was just a junior at the time so this was mostly second hand). They sounded overworked, but only because (1) they were super leanly staffed against a typical monster biglaw team and (2) they thought of themselves as a lifestyle firm that shouldn't have to work all the time. They also took the David vs. Goliath theme personally, rather than just something to develop for the jury.

That said this is just one case against a couple lawyers, so it may not be representative. Also don't get me wrong, the lawyers were very bright and really seemed to love the firm. Lots of Kool-Aid to drink, I guess.

[Anonymous User]

Worked adverse to them on a troll case. I got some weird vibes from the lawyers (though I was just a junior at the time so this was mostly second hand). They sounded overworked, but only because (1) they were super leanly staffed against a typical monster biglaw team and (2) they thought of themselves as a lifestyle firm that shouldn't have to work all the time. They also took the David vs. Goliath theme personally, rather than just something to develop for the jury.

That said this is just one case against a couple lawyers, so it may not be representative. Also don't get me wrong, the lawyers were very bright and really seemed to love the firm. Lots of Kool-Aid to drink, I guess.

OP here. That's an interesting anecdote, thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy. They certainly take their shtick very seriously.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages. I think they are trying to position themselves as "trial lawyers who handle class actions," which probably lends itself to partnering with more traditional plaintiffs' class action firms.

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages.

Several posters have commented on "weird vibes." What kind of weird vibes are we talking about? Could you be more specific? Thanks! (I'm not the OP)

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages.

Several posters have commented on "weird vibes." What kind of weird vibes are we talking about? Could you be more specific? Thanks! (I'm not the OP)

I edited my post to add a bit more color, but it's a combination of (1) taking themselves very seriously (2) being very big on positioning themselves as being innovative/cutting-edge/contrarian and (3) what I would describe as "someone is wrong on the Internet" kind of aggressiveness. It's kind of like Quinn but even more weird/idiosyncratic.

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages.

Several posters have commented on "weird vibes." What kind of weird vibes are we talking about? Could you be more specific? Thanks! (I'm not the OP)

I edited my post to add a bit more color, but it's a combination of (1) taking themselves very seriously (2) being very big on positioning themselves as being innovative/cutting-edge/contrarian and (3) what I would describe as "someone is wrong on the Internet" kind of aggressiveness. It's kind of like Quinn but even more weird/idiosyncratic.

Got it, thanks again!

[Anonymous User]

I have worked across from them and I will add a data point for the weirdness. I would compare the vibe/demeanor to James Spader's character from The Office.

[Anonymous User]

Worked adverse to them on a troll case. I got some weird vibes from the lawyers (though I was just a junior at the time so this was mostly second hand). They sounded overworked, but only because (1) they were super leanly staffed against a typical monster biglaw team and (2) they thought of themselves as a lifestyle firm that shouldn't have to work all the time. They also took the David vs. Goliath theme personally, rather than just something to develop for the jury.

That said this is just one case against a couple lawyers, so it may not be representative. Also don't get me wrong, the lawyers were very bright and really seemed to love the firm. Lots of Kool-Aid to drink, I guess.

Same poster as above confirming the weirdness others ITT have expressed. A couple examples: they would share weird personal bits on calls that you don't normally share with opposing counsel and they also sent a holiday card to one of my colleagues after being adverse to us. Very odd.

[Anonymous User]

Adding that they have (or at least had) an atypical interview process. Very hypothetical-driven, with lots of behavioral questions.

[Anonymous User]

Worked adverse to them on a troll case. I got some weird vibes from the lawyers (though I was just a junior at the time so this was mostly second hand). They sounded overworked, but only because (1) they were super leanly staffed against a typical monster biglaw team and (2) they thought of themselves as a lifestyle firm that shouldn't have to work all the time. They also took the David vs. Goliath theme personally, rather than just something to develop for the jury.

That said this is just one case against a couple lawyers, so it may not be representative. Also don't get me wrong, the lawyers were very bright and really seemed to love the firm. Lots of Kool-Aid to drink, I guess.

Same poster as above confirming the weirdness others ITT have expressed. A couple examples: they would share weird personal bits on calls that you don't normally share with opposing counsel and they also sent a holiday card to one of my colleagues after being adverse to us. Very odd.

The holiday card actually seems nice lolll

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy. They certainly take their shtick very seriously.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages. I think they are trying to position themselves as "trial lawyers who handle class actions," which probably lends itself to partnering with more traditional plaintiffs' class action firms.

Isn’t “trial lawyers who handle class actions” basically a nonexistent category? Is this pure schtick or is there something there?

Fwiw for intellectual interest imo patent >>> TCPA but opinions may vary

[Anonymous User]

Two observations:

1. I interviewed for a 1L summer position there (I went to HLS) and I definitely got weird vibes from the guy I interviewed with. I know someone else who works there and it doesn't surprise me at all that he went there - smart but very odd guy. They certainly take their shtick very seriously.

2. They are very active in the consumer class action space (in which I practice). They take on some very weird cases and partner up with some firms I don't think have nearly their intellectual firepower (like Bursor & Fisher). That said, they have notched a few impressive victories, including a nearly $1 billion damages award in a TCPA case where they obtained aggregate statutory damages. I think they are trying to position themselves as "trial lawyers who handle class actions," which probably lends itself to partnering with more traditional plaintiffs' class action firms.

Isn’t “trial lawyers who handle class actions” basically a nonexistent category? Is this pure schtick or is there something there?

Fwiw for intellectual interest imo patent >>> TCPA but opinions may vary

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1RR26S
Looks like there is something there...

[Anonymous User]

I interviewed with them. Part of the screener was a mock cross-examination.

[Anonymous User]

Dovel & Luner mailed a promotional "book" to every WLRK (junior?) associate's office a few weeks ago telling us to consider referring them for contingency/plaintiff's work. (have no idea if this was specific to WLRK and sort of assume not but never bothered to ask around)

book seemed ... fine? read into that what you will I guess