What is the chillest firm? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I’m lateraling and wondering if I’ve made a good choice. What are your impressions of the best firms for work-life balance? If you wanted to work for a biglaw firm that was a great lifestyle firm, which one would it be? Curious to hear impressions based on major markets (NYC/DC, etc.). Where are you enjoying your life? Where are people feeling like it’s worth it to stick around?

[Anonymous User]

I've heard that Freshfields is chill.

[Anonymous User]

How's Foley & Lardner? Interested in lit specifically

[Anonymous User]

As a non-law student, haven't you been disabused of the notion that some firms are more "chill" than others? It entirely depends on the practice area, the team, and your supervisors.

[Anonymous User]

I’m lateraling and wondering if I’ve made a good choice. What are your impressions of the best firms for work-life balance? If you wanted to work for a biglaw firm that was a great lifestyle firm, which one would it be? Curious to hear impressions based on major markets (NYC/DC, etc.). Where are you enjoying your life? Where are people feeling like it’s worth it to stick around?

It's probably the intersection between California firm/low-stress practice area. I've heard really good things about Fenwick's tax practice, for instance.

[Anonymous User]

I’m lateraling and wondering if I’ve made a good choice. What are your impressions of the best firms for work-life balance? If you wanted to work for a biglaw firm that was a great lifestyle firm, which one would it be? Curious to hear impressions based on major markets (NYC/DC, etc.). Where are you enjoying your life? Where are people feeling like it’s worth it to stick around?

…….

[Anonymous User]

I’ve heard good things about Orrick and Perkins Coie.

[Anonymous User]

I think the biggest factor, as mentioned, is location, followed by practice area and then individual firm quirks.

I would look to Non-NYC/DC firms, more niche practice areas that are unlikely to require emergency responses, and then firms that have those reputations.

I am thinking maybe a firm like Gunderson in CA would be a good example.

[Anonymous User]

I think the biggest factor, as mentioned, is location, followed by practice area and then individual firm quirks.

I would look to Non-NYC/DC firms, more niche practice areas that are unlikely to require emergency responses, and then firms that have those reputations.

I am thinking maybe a firm like Gunderson in CA would be a good example.

Is Florida (non-Miami cities) likely to be as laid-back as CA?

[Anonymous User]

I think the biggest factor, as mentioned, is location, followed by practice area and then individual firm quirks.

I would look to Non-NYC/DC firms, more niche practice areas that are unlikely to require emergency responses, and then firms that have those reputations.

I am thinking maybe a firm like Gunderson in CA would be a good example.

What practice areas other than tax do you consider more low key and easier to balance?

[Anonymous User]

Probably gonna be tough for people to generalize about this beyond something like “NYC V10 capital markets is not chill”

Here’s a complete generalization though — a Freshfields partner came to speak to one of my 1L classes and he was nice but also came off like a super intense psycho

[Anonymous User]

White & Case, NY

[Anon-non-anon]

I do PE M&A in NY at a V20. It’s chill if you like billing big, living large, and crushing life. If your definition of chill is playing video games, or sitting in the Midwest with your obese spouse, then no it’s not chill at all.

Idk if i hope this was trolling or not but "billing big, living large, and crushing life" is certainly something.

[Anonymous User]

I do PE M&A in NY at a V20. It’s chill if you like billing big, living large, and crushing life. If your definition of chill is playing video games, or sitting in the Midwest with your obese spouse, then no it’s not chill at all.

very nice

[Anonymous User]

White & Case, NY

Which practice area? What about their IA group?

[Wild Card]

Ice Miller. Ice.

JK.

Crushing life with your obese spouse.