Sidley (NY) vs. Weil (NY) vs. White & Case (NY) Forum

[KGupta]

I'm not too tied to a specific practice group even though I like white collar and investigations on the litigation side and projects, fund formation, and shareholder activism (which might be a Sidley-specific subgroup) on the transactions. I care most about overall prestige, culture, and how strong of a platform the firm has in terms of starting one's career. I'm not a citizen so there's a chance I end up re-recruiting in London in 2025, so perhaps that's also a factor.

[Anonymous User]

I'm not too tied to a specific practice group even though I like white collar and investigations on the litigation side and projects, fund formation, and shareholder activism (which might be a Sidley-specific subgroup) on the transactions. I care most about overall prestige, culture, and how strong of a platform the firm has in terms of starting one's career. I'm not a citizen so there's a chance I end up re-recruiting in London in 2025, so perhaps that's also a factor.

Sidley has the best shareholder activism practice amongst the three, but I would be shocked if the practice had any substantial presence in London. As you probably already know, anything other than cap markets and maybe M&A is hard to come by outside of the States unless you are admitted into the local jurisdiction.

W&C has the best London practice out of the three and it's not even close.

[Anonymous User]

Double-check with Chambers, but Weil has a strong funds practice. It has white collar work but it didn't strike me as their strongest practice (which isn't to say it's not excellent). The Weil NYC culture is good. Restructuring are a bit intense but they're also elite (and therefore hard working). I liked almost everyone I met at Weil; just fun and pleasant people on the whole. I also think it has the coolest office (corner of Central Park).

[mandrewsf]

If overall platform/prestige is what you're looking for I don't see how either Sidley or W&C could hold a candle to Weil in New York.

[existentialcrisis]

If overall platform/prestige is what you're looking for I don't see how either Sidley or W&C could hold a candle to Weil in New York.

W&C is by far the best at Projects though.

This is a hard one because these firms are good at different things and OP has such broad interests.

[Anonymous User]

If overall platform/prestige is what you're looking for I don't see how either Sidley or W&C could hold a candle to Weil in New York.

+1. This is worth considering since you (OP) seem to be aiming for the NY market and said prestige + exit ops matter.

[Anonymous User]

If overall platform/prestige is what you're looking for I don't see how either Sidley or W&C could hold a candle to Weil in New York.

W&C is by far the best at Projects though.

This is a hard one because these firms are good at different things and OP has such broad interests.

Though W&C's project team has recently had an exodus of associates. Not sure why...