Simpson vs Milbank- NYC transactional Forum

[Anonymous User]

Offers at both Simpson and Milbank in nyc. Interested in transactional work. Thoughts on which firm to choose?

[Anonymous User]

Offers at both Simpson and Milbank in nyc. Interested in transactional work. Thoughts on which firm to choose?

stay away

j/k. Likely the biggest difference is that STB strongly leans toward both public and private M&A (and associated finance), fund formation, and a broad set of cap markets practices, while Milbank more strongly focuses on finance (leveraged, project, transportation) and bankruptcy. Although STB is more highly ranked in chambers in all of the areas the firms compete in (except bankruptcy and white collar), they often do not compete directly with each other for the same markets or practices. If you don't care about the above or differences in clients (PE/bank dominated v. bank dominated), probably just pick based on people perception and office location, etc. Both are great at what they do and are highly profitable, so you'd just need to figure if you want to do what they do.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

I don’t think one is even close. STB is likely the tougher gig but it’s worth it. Substantially stronger in M&A and cap markets, which are the most popular (and generally considered most interesting) corporate practices.

Milbank is strong in finance (debt) and bankruptcy, which are some of the least desirable practices and have much worse in-house exit opps, and both of which I hate with the passion of 1000 burning suns.

[Anonymous User]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

[Anonymous User]

Don't think this one is close by any stretch, unless you really wanted to do project finance work specifically for some reason.

Kinda funny that this is a real question now, feel like a decent number of people in my class (2018) who were considering offers at STB weren't even taking their callbacks at Milbank a few years ago. Good on them though for leading the charge on pay.

[Anonymous User]

STB has a stronger and longer lasting track record of being considered more prestigious by a lot of people.

[Anonymous User]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

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[Anonymous User]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

[existentialcrisis]

Do Simpson unless you really want to do Project Finance.

STB is basically better at all the other main corporate groups (regular credit might be about equal).

Milbank is better at BK, but I’d suggest not doing that unless you’re super excited about it given the high stress/pretty narrow exits.

[Anonymous User]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

Can I DM you regarding your post?

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

Can I DM you regarding your post?

Go for it

[etmcnamara69]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

Why would Willkie be safer?

[Res Ipsa Loquitter]

Personally I would pick Milbank between the two. But that’s because I think associates there have a better QOL and ultimately the firm is just as profitable, so you’re equally protected if a recession happens. STB is definitely stronger at M&A though, if you are legitimately interested in that.

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

Why would Willkie be safer?

Because Willkie is better at general corporate and M&A that law students are more likely to want to work in. whereas at milbank the best practices are less popular and more niche.

[existentialcrisis]

By extension, they make even more profit at McDonald’s, so OP should go flip burgers there and be even more protected in a downturn.

RPL definitely impacts how firms act in difficult financial times. When Covid hit in 2020, it was the highly profitable firms that maintained normality by starting associates on time, not doing stealth layoffs, etc.

RPL is not even a measure of profit, so I can tell you’re out of your depth. And one of the most profitable firms (S&C) stiffed their summers anyway in 2020.

In the previous poster's defense, RPL and PPL rank track very closely for most firms (Gibson is an exception here, top five PPL but only top 15 or so for RPL). However, STB is certainly the safer bet in this regard due to the strength of the client base and higher historical profit and revenue. It's very rare for Milbank to beat STB on these metrics.

That being said, you might be surprised how many people turn down or never apply to the creme de la creme firms of financial success - including Wachtell, Kirkland, Sullcrom, and Simpson - simply because of lifestyle concerns.

I totally get the logic of taking a pass on the V10. The issue here is OP isn’t clear in what he wants and Milbank is strong mainly in niche practice areas. Somewhere like Willkie would be safer.

Why would Willkie be safer?

Because Willkie is better at general corporate and M&A that law students are more likely to want to work in. whereas at milbank the best practices are less popular and more niche.

This is good advice. I’d take Willkie every time unless you have a burning desire to do PF or Lender Side BK.