Any insights on Dovel & Luner?
Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:25 am
Aside from the pay and the selectivity, any insight on actual work, intensity, culture, etc.? Thanks.
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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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:09 amGenuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?
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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:23 amI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:09 amGenuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?
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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:02 pmI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:23 amI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:09 amGenuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?
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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:02 pmI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:23 amI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:09 amGenuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?
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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:17 pmThey 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 1:02 pmI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:23 amI 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 10:09 amGenuinely curious why they only recruit from Harvard. It's like Suits or something. They're in California, why not Stanford?
Do you mind elaborating on what’s supremely strange about them? Thanks so much!Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:23 pmSummered 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 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:23 pmSummered 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.)
OP here. That's an interesting anecdote, thanks!Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 12:15 pmWorked 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.
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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:08 pmTwo 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.
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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:10 pmSeveral 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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:08 pmTwo 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.
Got it, thanks again!Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:14 pmI 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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:10 pmSeveral 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 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:08 pmTwo 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.
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 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 12:15 pmWorked 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.
The holiday card actually seems nice lolllAnonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 6:24 pmSame 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 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 20, 2022 12:15 pmWorked 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.
Isn’t “trial lawyers who handle class actions” basically a nonexistent category? Is this pure schtick or is there something there?Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:08 pmTwo 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.
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1RR26SAnonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:43 pmIsn’t “trial lawyers who handle class actions” basically a nonexistent category? Is this pure schtick or is there something there?Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:08 pmTwo 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.
Fwiw for intellectual interest imo patent >>> TCPA but opinions may vary