Simpson NY v. Latham DC for corporate work Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any insights are helpful. Prefer DC but would be happy either place. Just looking for insights beyond location to help differentiate. Primarily looking to do M&A/deal work.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

From my own interactions with STB and LW during OCI and subsequent second look/offer dinners, my impression was that the people were better at Latham. Obviously that’s subjective and dependent on the specific people I met, though.

I’ve also heard (anecdotally, but from people I know personally) that STB NY is a particularly miserable place to work. There’s also a lot on this board about how the personalities in STB M&A are particularly bad, though I can’t verify that personally and that exists to some extent at pretty much all peer firms from what I can tell. But I have not heard similar complaints about LW, plus I work across from them pretty often and have actually witnessed a decent amount of good partner behavior (like a partner sending her juniors to bed and saying we’ll pick up in the morning, etc.) on their side.

The other thing that might be useful is that (at least when I did OCI), STB puts juniors in a corporate rotation program where you rotate through two or three groups and get formally placed into a group as a second year. Latham just puts you into an unassigned pool and lets you take assignments from anyone you want.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

From my own interactions with STB and LW during OCI and subsequent second look/offer dinners, my impression was that the people were better at Latham. Obviously that’s subjective and dependent on the specific people I met, though.

I’ve also heard (anecdotally, but from people I know personally) that STB NY is a particularly miserable place to work. There’s also a lot on this board about how the personalities in STB M&A are particularly bad, though I can’t verify that personally and that exists to some extent at pretty much all peer firms from what I can tell. But I have not heard similar complaints about LW, plus I work across from them pretty often and have actually witnessed a decent amount of good partner behavior (like a partner sending her juniors to bed and saying we’ll pick up in the morning, etc.) on their side.

The other thing that might be useful is that (at least when I did OCI), STB puts juniors in a corporate rotation program where you rotate through two or three groups and get formally placed into a group as a second year. Latham just puts you into an unassigned pool and lets you take assignments from anyone you want.

STB's rotation is actually 2 years, brutal if you know what you want to do and what you hate. Verifying that STB's M&A group seems a bit worse than its peers in terms of personalities/grinding.

[Anonymous User]

Latham DC has a strong transactional practice and a good rep as a place to work. Since you want DC anyway I think this is easy.

[Anonymous User]

feel like this should come down to location preference

[Anonymous User]

Any insights are helpful. Prefer DC but would be happy either place. Just looking for insights beyond location to help differentiate. Primarily looking to do M&A/deal work.

Is this even a question? You know what my answer is going to be.

[uncle_rico]

Don’t go to a city that you don’t want to be in. It’s an easy first mistake when picking firms but you’ll soon find yourself eyeing the door to move to your desired market right away, especially if you have family there.

[Anonymous User]

Former LW associate. Been across STB a ton.

Strongly recommend Latham DC, particularly if you are leaning toward DC for location anyway. Culture is night and day difference. Latham also probably has the best corporate practice in DC (GDC/Skadden only other true peers). Ton of good work being originated out of Latham DC, including with heavy-hitter PE clients (Carlyle, Onex, etc.). Wouldn't think twice about this choice, unless you really want to be in NYC (which it sounds like you don't).

[Anonymous User]

This is a joke right? Who are Latham dcs clients for corporate work? Who gives a fuck if you have been across STB. Want to do public or private deals or work for the top banks, choose stb. Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, JPM etc all go to STB over Latham DC. What’s the roster at Latham dc for m&a??????


If you love dc so much start in NY and move to STB dc.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

From my own interactions with STB and LW during OCI and subsequent second look/offer dinners, my impression was that the people were better at Latham. Obviously that’s subjective and dependent on the specific people I met, though.

I’ve also heard (anecdotally, but from people I know personally) that STB NY is a particularly miserable place to work. There’s also a lot on this board about how the personalities in STB M&A are particularly bad, though I can’t verify that personally and that exists to some extent at pretty much all peer firms from what I can tell. But I have not heard similar complaints about LW, plus I work across from them pretty often and have actually witnessed a decent amount of good partner behavior (like a partner sending her juniors to bed and saying we’ll pick up in the morning, etc.) on their side.

The other thing that might be useful is that (at least when I did OCI), STB puts juniors in a corporate rotation program where you rotate through two or three groups and get formally placed into a group as a second year. Latham just puts you into an unassigned pool and lets you take assignments from anyone you want.

STB's rotation is actually 2 years, brutal if you know what you want to do and what you hate. Verifying that STB's M&A group seems a bit worse than its peers in terms of personalities/grinding.

It isn’t two years. 9+6= 15 not 24. Offer dinners and OCI are horribly in accurate measures for firms. It’s the firms best face for shitbags who will quit in a year, maybe STB is worse at putting it on than Latham dc.

[Anonymous User]

This is a joke right? Who are Latham dcs clients for corporate work? Who gives a fuck if you have been across STB. Want to do public or private deals or work for the top banks, choose stb. Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, JPM etc all go to STB over Latham DC. What’s the roster at Latham dc for m&a??????


If you love dc so much start in NY and move to STB dc.

Anon above. I'm sorry, but you either (a) are at STB NY and are a junior associate (in which case you are forgiven, we've all had too much kool-aid to start) or (b) have no idea what you are talking about. Do a little research on who Latham's clients are and then start talking. I have no loyalty to Latham or STB or any other firm, I've just been around for a while and actually know what I'm talking about.

[Anonymous User]

I have heard nothing but terrible things about Simpson NY, so unless Latham DC is the absolute worst place on earth I would not go to Simpson NY if I had any other choices. If you prefer DC, that's enough of a reason to not go to Simpson NY, but I've heard good things about Latham DC and bad things about Simpson NY so if I was choosing I would go Latham DC.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

From my own interactions with STB and LW during OCI and subsequent second look/offer dinners, my impression was that the people were better at Latham. Obviously that’s subjective and dependent on the specific people I met, though.

I’ve also heard (anecdotally, but from people I know personally) that STB NY is a particularly miserable place to work. There’s also a lot on this board about how the personalities in STB M&A are particularly bad, though I can’t verify that personally and that exists to some extent at pretty much all peer firms from what I can tell. But I have not heard similar complaints about LW, plus I work across from them pretty often and have actually witnessed a decent amount of good partner behavior (like a partner sending her juniors to bed and saying we’ll pick up in the morning, etc.) on their side.

The other thing that might be useful is that (at least when I did OCI), STB puts juniors in a corporate rotation program where you rotate through two or three groups and get formally placed into a group as a second year. Latham just puts you into an unassigned pool and lets you take assignments from anyone you want.

STB's rotation is actually 2 years, brutal if you know what you want to do and what you hate. Verifying that STB's M&A group seems a bit worse than its peers in terms of personalities/grinding.

It isn’t two years. 9+6= 15 not 24. Offer dinners and OCI are horribly in accurate measures for firms. It’s the firms best face for shitbags who will quit in a year, maybe STB is worse at putting it on than Latham dc.

The anons are either saying (a) they have worked across STB or (b) they have friends at STB who spoke about their experiences and your response is offer dinners and OCI are horrible measures (and the anon saying that even acknowledged that?) C'mon.

[Anonymous User]

This is a joke right? Who are Latham dcs clients for corporate work? Who gives a fuck if you have been across STB. Want to do public or private deals or work for the top banks, choose stb. Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, JPM etc all go to STB over Latham DC. What’s the roster at Latham dc for m&a??????


If you love dc so much start in NY and move to STB dc.

Latham DC’s unusually sizable PE practice exists to service Carlyle, which is DC-based and a major institutional client for Latham. And suggesting STB DC over Latham DC, probably the strongest DC transactional firm, is ludicrous.

[Anonymous User]

This is a joke right? Who are Latham dcs clients for corporate work? Who gives a fuck if you have been across STB. Want to do public or private deals or work for the top banks, choose stb. Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, JPM etc all go to STB over Latham DC. What’s the roster at Latham dc for m&a??????


If you love dc so much start in NY and move to STB dc.

Latham DC’s unusually sizable PE practice exists to service Carlyle, which is DC-based and a major institutional client for Latham. And suggesting STB DC over Latham DC, probably the strongest DC transactional firm, is ludicrous.

It’s STB NY, not DC. I think it’s a closer call here than many are saying, you will do more top flight deals at STB over a shorter period of time.

Latham is going to be the better place to work and you will certainly get great clients/representations, but STB’s corporate practice is stronger, especially in M&A/PE and if you have a hard charging personality and can shrug off a tough environment, imo STB would actually be the play.

Seeing as OP mentioned they prefer DC, they won’t go wrong with Latham, but people here pretending that Latham’s DC office is anywhere comparable to client base are being too charitable. STB is allegedly a tough place to work, however.

If you were thinking you’re a lifer and want to stick in biglaw forever/gun for equity, the STB—>KE primo pipeline is there, but if you want to keep things more open-ended and have a better quality of life during practice, LW is the path here. Tbh, I’d choose LW based off of the rumor of what it’s like to work at STB, but depends on what you’re looking for here.

[Anonymous User]

I wouldn’t pick STB if you don’t want to be in NYC. Or maybe ask if you can start STB DC if you prefer STB.

[Anonymous User]

If you have the grades to get Latham DC, I would at least try to get Davis Polk or SullCrom NYC.

[Anonymous User]

This is a joke right? Who are Latham dcs clients for corporate work? Who gives a fuck if you have been across STB. Want to do public or private deals or work for the top banks, choose stb. Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle, JPM etc all go to STB over Latham DC. What’s the roster at Latham dc for m&a??????


If you love dc so much start in NY and move to STB dc.

Latham DC’s unusually sizable PE practice exists to service Carlyle, which is DC-based and a major institutional client for Latham. And suggesting STB DC over Latham DC, probably the strongest DC transactional firm, is ludicrous.

It’s STB NY, not DC. I think it’s a closer call here than many are saying, you will do more top flight deals at STB over a shorter period of time.

Latham is going to be the better place to work and you will certainly get great clients/representations, but STB’s corporate practice is stronger, especially in M&A/PE and if you have a hard charging personality and can shrug off a tough environment, imo STB would actually be the play.

Seeing as OP mentioned they prefer DC, they won’t go wrong with Latham, but people here pretending that Latham’s DC office is anywhere comparable to client base are being too charitable. STB is allegedly a tough place to work, however.

If you were thinking you’re a lifer and want to stick in biglaw forever/gun for equity, the STB—>KE primo pipeline is there, but if you want to keep things more open-ended and have a better quality of life during practice, LW is the path here. Tbh, I’d choose LW based off of the rumor of what it’s like to work at STB, but depends on what you’re looking for here.

Imo the fact that it's Simpson NY makes the decision more obvious here. OP wants DC, but even assuming that you want NY, Simpson NY takes a bunch of laterals. So if you're dying to go there, chances are you'd have that opportunity, especially if you can get Latham DC. Doing the other way is much harder if not impossible.

[Anonymous User]

I considered both of these seriously a few years ago when I was doing OCI. Went with a different NY firm and am a junior associate now. Based on what I knew then and what I’ve heard from friends/acquaintances at both, I would strongly recommend Latham DC.

I really liked the people at both. Is it an hours thing or particularly difficult partners at STB?

From my own interactions with STB and LW during OCI and subsequent second look/offer dinners, my impression was that the people were better at Latham. Obviously that’s subjective and dependent on the specific people I met, though.

I’ve also heard (anecdotally, but from people I know personally) that STB NY is a particularly miserable place to work. There’s also a lot on this board about how the personalities in STB M&A are particularly bad, though I can’t verify that personally and that exists to some extent at pretty much all peer firms from what I can tell. But I have not heard similar complaints about LW, plus I work across from them pretty often and have actually witnessed a decent amount of good partner behavior (like a partner sending her juniors to bed and saying we’ll pick up in the morning, etc.) on their side.

The other thing that might be useful is that (at least when I did OCI), STB puts juniors in a corporate rotation program where you rotate through two or three groups and get formally placed into a group as a second year. Latham just puts you into an unassigned pool and lets you take assignments from anyone you want.

STB's rotation is actually 2 years, brutal if you know what you want to do and what you hate. Verifying that STB's M&A group seems a bit worse than its peers in terms of personalities/grinding.

It isn’t two years. 9+6= 15 not 24. Offer dinners and OCI are horribly in accurate measures for firms. It’s the firms best face for shitbags who will quit in a year, maybe STB is worse at putting it on than Latham dc.

The anons are either saying (a) they have worked across STB or (b) they have friends at STB who spoke about their experiences and your response is offer dinners and OCI are horrible measures (and the anon saying that even acknowledged that?) C'mon.

And the particular anon they were responding to here was me, who worked at STB as a lateral and didn't know that the rotation was not quite 2 years because I joined after rotations. Seemed like some 2nd years were still rotating well into summer months though from what I saw and people generally referred to it as "2 years of rotating".

[Anonymous User]

Former Latham DC corp associate. I'm super late to this, but in the off-chance that you haven't decided yet, do understand this: the people are a hell of a lot better at Latham DC, while the M&A/deal work is a hell of a lot better at STB (my best friend does deal work at STB). I agree that if you want to be in DC, please pick DC. While I saw a good number of Davis Polk NY laterals join Latham DC, I'm not certain how easy that move is.

[Anonymous User]

Former Latham DC corp associate. I'm super late to this, but in the off-chance that you haven't decided yet, do understand this: the people are a hell of a lot better at Latham DC, while the M&A/deal work is a hell of a lot better at STB (my best friend does deal work at STB). I agree that if you want to be in DC, please pick DC. While I saw a good number of Davis Polk NY laterals join Latham DC, I'm not certain how easy that move is.

What are the regulatory groups like at Latham DC?

[Anonymous User]

Former Latham DC corp associate. I'm super late to this, but in the off-chance that you haven't decided yet, do understand this: the people are a hell of a lot better at Latham DC, while the M&A/deal work is a hell of a lot better at STB (my best friend does deal work at STB). I agree that if you want to be in DC, please pick DC. While I saw a good number of Davis Polk NY laterals join Latham DC, I'm not certain how easy that move is.

What are the regulatory groups like at Latham DC?

I didn't have a ton of exposure to them, to be fair, but they seemed top notch and at least genteel (especially healthcare regulatory).