Nashville Firms Forum

[taterzz]

Can anyone speak to the selectivity of Baker Donelson, Bass Berry & Sims or Butler Snow coming from Vanderbilt? I hear that it is very competitive and Butler Snow claims they require applicants to be in the top 10% of their class. But who in the top 10% at Vandy is taking BS's shitty salary? Do people just really want to stay in Nashville?

[Anonymous User]

In what universe is Butler Snow in the same conversation as Baker, let alone Bass? The clear hierarchy in terms of selectivity, imo, is Bass/Waller>Bradley/Baker>>>>everyone else.

[taterzz]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

[johndooley]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

[taterzz]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

Is there a problem with wanting to assess the firms that have a large presence at the law school I’m going to?

[johndooley]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

Is there a problem with wanting to assess the firms that have a large presence at the law school I’m going to?

You said you’re not interested. Tend your own garden and get offers from firms you care about.

[Anonymous User]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

Is there a problem with wanting to assess the firms that have a large presence at the law school I’m going to?

Bass Baker and Butler Snow are a super weird trio to pick tho. Bass and Baker are part of Nashville's big four while Butler isn't really on the map in the same way. I'm really very confused (unless you just went with the ones that started with B--but if so, where's Bradley???)

[Anonymous User]

Bass>Waller>>Baker/Bradley

K&L and Polsinelli fall somewhere there.

I’m assuming you’re asking about OCI, but even Bass and Waller aren’t really that selective for laterals. I went to Vandy undergrad and law school elsewhere (non-T14), graduated around median, and got lateral offers at both.

[taterzz]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

Is there a problem with wanting to assess the firms that have a large presence at the law school I’m going to?

Bass Baker and Butler Snow are a super weird trio to pick tho. Bass and Baker are part of Nashville's big four while Butler isn't really on the map in the same way. I'm really very confused (unless you just went with the ones that started with B--but if so, where's Bradley???)

That’s fair. I was just reading the placement of 2021 grads— Baker (1), Bass (6), Butler (1). Also 3 to Waller. I was wondering if any of these candidates where otherwise NYC BL qualified but chose Nashville because of the new salaries (I know Bass and I think Waller are at $185k now). I guess no way to tell.

[crazywafflez]

Butler is not as selective as the big four. Butler is maybe looking at top 10% at Ole Miss or UTk (but I personally know UTk alum at Butler who were not top 10%).
Idk what K&L is doing though, and I think for the big four, as long as you have honors from Vandy are not hard to get tbh.

[Anonymous User]

Not that it matters, but I'd say Bass/Baker > Waller > Bradley/K&L/Butler Snow/etc.

Bass is an amazing Tennessee firm, but Baker has broader reach throughout the South, with a HQ in Memphis. Baker led the way in market pay and is generally more selective, as their class sizes are smaller than Waller/BBS. As always, it kind of depends on what type of law you want to practice.

One thing to keep in mind as Nashville grows: salaries are increasing at an insane rate. 5 years ago if you'd told me $185K is the starting salary for first-year associates in Nashville, TN, I'd have called you crazy. The market is insular and Nashville-ties matter, but things are changing fast.

[Anonymous User]

Not that it matters, but I'd say Bass/Baker > Waller > Bradley/K&L/Butler Snow/etc.

Bass is an amazing Tennessee firm, but Baker has broader reach throughout the South, with a HQ in Memphis. Baker led the way in market pay and is generally more selective, as their class sizes are smaller than Waller/BBS. As always, it kind of depends on what type of law you want to practice.

One thing to keep in mind as Nashville grows: salaries are increasing at an insane rate. 5 years ago if you'd told me $185K is the starting salary for first-year associates in Nashville, TN, I'd have called you crazy. The market is insular and Nashville-ties matter, but things are changing fast.

Salaries are increasing at an insane rate, but not fast enough to keep up with the increase in COL. This is the main reason I had to turn down my lateral offers. I believe on the new scale, Baker caps out at $285k. I’m assuming Bass is the same. A lot, yeah, but after bonus, it’s like $150k-$200k below market.

[diet_coke_head_]

Can anyone speak to the selectivity of Baker Donelson, Bass Berry & Sims or Butler Snow coming from Vanderbilt? I hear that it is very competitive and Butler Snow claims they require applicants to be in the top 10% of their class. But who in the top 10% at Vandy is taking BS's shitty salary? Do people just really want to stay in Nashville?

Honestly, coming from any school other than Vandy as long as you meet whatever the firm’s grade floor is it’s a question of fit and if you can sell your Nashville ties. Some firms have higher grade floors (I know Bradley has a chart) but I know someone at Butler as a summer that was below median at a T50. (I summered at another Nashville firm this year). Can’t speak to Vandy specifics or OCI process, but outside of the big 4 and maybe K&L these are not tough gigs to get imo.

[Big Red]

I’m just learning about the Nashville market now. I have no interest in working there.

Then why are you asking?

Is there a problem with wanting to assess the firms that have a large presence at the law school I’m going to?

I mean the problem is more that you are framing this as "how is anyone dumb enough to take these jobs" but I'll answer your condescending question. Yes, most of the people who work in Nashville are doing it b/c it's Nashville, and they are either from there or met someone there. Biglaw also does seem more humane there than where most of us suckers ended up. You'll be surprised how many people voluntary opt out of "market" one way or another within a couple years of graduating.

Anyway, it's selective because the class sizes are small and a lot of people will have these firms as #1 because Nashville. Sounds like Vandy student body still overestimates how hard it is to get (outside of whatever 1L programs they might have), but you do probably need to be in the top half of the class to be competitive?

[Anonymous User]

Any insight on some of the firms that are a step down like Adams and Reese or Lewis T?