Arnold & Porter (DC) or Covington (NYC/DC split) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone, rising 2L with a couple offers I'm considering. I'm originally from NY, so that's how the idea of wanting to split with COV NY came into play. I really liked the cultures of A&P and CovNY in my interviews and callback dinners and while I liked CovDC, they also seemed a little more buttoned up, but nice.

The bigger consideration for me is which firm would seem to be more prestigious or best equip to help me eventually become an AUSA? I'm interested in practicing white collar and/or antitrust and I really like how Cov doesn't pigeon hole you into a practice area. I feel like Covington is the better fit for prestige, practice area and future employment, but wanted so other takes?

[Anonymous User]

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

[Anonymous User]

So is A&P DC not as good as Cov DC in your opinion?

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

[Anonymous User]

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

So is A&P DC not on the same tier as Cov DC for my interests?

[Anonymous User]

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

So is A&P DC not on the same tier as Cov DC for my interests?

It's not. But for many gov contract / regulatory practices, it's probably second to Cov in DC.

[Anonymous User]

So is A&P DC not as good as Cov DC in your opinion?

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

Correct

[Anonymous User]

Covington DC. Don't split. DC is the superior office.

So is A&P DC not on the same tier as Cov DC for my interests?

In terms of your interests, they’re equal.

[Anonymous User]

Posting anonymously since I'm an A&P associate whose work experience aligns with your interests and who has worked with attorneys from Covington DC. You should go with whichever firm gave you the better impression if you're interested in working for the USAO/FTC. Several A&P associates have left to join both agencies and others that you may be interested in like the SEC within the past year. Both are feeder firms that will give you access to investigations/cases that make the front page of the NYT. If you're looking to return to NYC, consider working with Paul Fishman at A&P. If he likes your work, he can be a powerful advocate to get you into the USAO, especially for NJ.

Personally, I've worked at A&P for 5+ years in the NY office (don't want to be more specific than that), but I've worked with many folks from the DC office as well. The culture and the people are great, and I genuinely can't think of a better place to work at in BigLaw. Before law school, I worked at a higher ranked BigLaw firm and an elite boutique firm, and I prefer A&P to both. My only misgiving is that A&P can be slow to match comp, but for the past few cycles, it has matched or surpassed the prevalent pay scale for high billers, albeit sometimes reluctantly. That's the only downside, but I think the upsides are well worth it. Anyway, all of this is to say that both firms are great, but I have more insight into A&P and don't think you'd go wrong if you choose it. Good luck!

[Anonymous User]

Covington and A&P have very different cultures and vibes but materially equal exit ops in the areas you're discussing. Pick based on comfort level with the people you've met, not potential next steps years down the road.

[2013]

Didn’t A&P not give Covid bonuses or something?

[Anonymous User]

Covington and A&P have very different cultures and vibes but materially equal exit ops in the areas you're discussing. Pick based on comfort level with the people you've met, not potential next steps years down the road.

Can you expand on the "different cultures and vibes" please?

[Anonymous User]

I had the same decision and picked Covington. Given that I picked Cov, I do not have insight into A&P's culture, but Cov is my type of people--smart, nerdy but not awkward, interested in federal-level issues and government stuff (obviously group-dependent), respectful, professional, and not people who live to work (important given that I would rather work from home in the evenings if I have to work at all lol). I also appreciated that a lot of Cov people have prior work experience and are generally pretty grounded/mature.