Dentons lateral? Forum

[Anonymous User]

5th year in corporate, working with a recruiter who is pushing Dentons as a possible lateral move. Coming from a V50 in major market and looking for better lifestyle but want to at least know about comp. Searching through TLS and overall sense is very negative. Black box comp, unhappy associates, etc. Haven't talked to any associates there but figured this forum could be a good place to start. Anon because of sensitivity for possibly leaving current firm.

Really appreciate any experiences/stories on comp, work life, anything else.

[Anonymous User]

Dentons is essentially a decentralized alliance of preexisting firms with their own cultures, pay scales, practices, etc., not a naturally grown law firm. It'll depend on your office. Pay scales can even differ significantly across partner/practice groups in a single office.

[Anonymous User]

Which office? Or if you're not comfortable sharing, in a major city (NY, DC or Chicago)?

[Wanderingdrock]

5th year in corporate, working with a recruiter who is pushing Dentons as a possible lateral move. Coming from a V50 in major market and looking for better lifestyle but want to at least know about comp. Searching through TLS and overall sense is very negative. Black box comp, unhappy associates, etc. Haven't talked to any associates there but figured this forum could be a good place to start. Anon because of sensitivity for possibly leaving current firm.

Really appreciate any experiences/stories on comp, work life, anything else.

Can't hurt to interview with them, see if you click, and then if you get an offer you'll hear what they're offering for comp. If it's insultingly low, tell them so; if it's close to what you were expecting, negotiate. (What else is black box comp good for other than shorting current associates and enticing laterals?)

You're a 5th year. How many more years of comp increases do you expect to see? There are a lot of factors in play here; going into Dentons at above-year comp could set you up well even if your 6th, 7th, etc. class year raises are less than you might have gotten elsewhere, and you have to consider whether lateraling to Dentons now sets you up better for partnership or counsel than you'd be positioned somewhere else.

[Anonymous User]

OP. Thanks all for the insight. Have option of NY or DC (would prefer DC).

[Anonymous User]

At Dentons. There are three associate titles: Associate, Managing Associate, and Senior Managing Associate. Each includes three "tiers." As a 5th year, I'd ask to go in as a third tier Managing Associate.

[Anonymous User]

Several recent departures from NY corp and DC office doesn't have a corp practice. Black box/below market comp and bonuses (paid out in April/May).

[Anonymous User]

OP here - thanks again. To those at Dentons - what keeps you there? Any range for what a Managing Associate or Senior Managing Associate might make doing corp in either NY or DC?

[Anonymous User]

OP here - thanks again. To those at Dentons - what keeps you there? Any range for what a Managing Associate or Senior Managing Associate might make doing corp in either NY or DC?

Salaries I think are 10-30k below market across major offices through midlevel range (205 1st yr, 315 5th in Dallas). Bonuses are close to market except that barely missing hours = 0 bonus no exception. 150 hours of pro bono/BD is guaranteed credited though.

Talking with classmates who have been at a V20 or equivalent, it sounds more relaxed with fewer cutthroat types and no crazy hour expectations. Wfh is still the norm and expected until at least June, hybrid approach to follow. Cases aren't as high profile, but they're leanly staffed so can juniors do more managing.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP but where do you find out the numbers for markets like Dallas that you mentioned?