Best firms for good culture in DC? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am a clerk looking to potentially switch firms post clerkship. I’m interested in litigation and my main goal is to find a firm with a manageable work-life balance (as much as you can attain that in biglaw) that has a decent remote work policy with nice people. I’ve been searching this forum and trying to do research but it’s hard to get good info. Does anyone have tips on which firms to target and which to avoid? I don’t really care about prestige. From what I can tell it seems like Orrick and O’Melveny might be good options? I’m interested specifically in doing either a mix of appellate and commercial lit or else going into white collar/investigations.

[Anonymous User]

Avoid Morgan lewis, kirkland, & squire boggs. Crowell is known for good people and manageable WLB. They are just below market though so take that as you will. I hear good things about Latham.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

[Anonymous User]

Latham

[Anonymous User]

Willkie DC - from personal experience, and it is about as good as biglaw can be.

[Anonymous User]

Probably should avoid Sidley. Nice folks but the remote policy is veering into "surveillance state" territory.

[Anonymous User]

Thirding Latham, it always shows up on the good side of these threads for a reason

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

[Anonymous User]

Hijacking a bit to ask if there's any top firms in DC with flexible remote policies?

[Anonymous User]

What is Covington litigation's reputation?

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

I don't know about particular practice areas or remote work, but many of the A&P attorneys I met during OCI seemed kind of stuffy. Not saying they were mean or anything, but it all felt very formal/DC elite-ish. I have a couple friends there who couldn't be further from that description, but a couple others who fit it to a T. FWIW, every firm in DC has at least one person like that.

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

I don't know about particular practice areas or remote work, but many of the A&P attorneys I met during OCI seemed kind of stuffy. Not saying they were mean or anything, but it all felt very formal/DC elite-ish. I have a couple friends there who couldn't be further from that description, but a couple others who fit it to a T. FWIW, every firm in DC has at least one person like that.

This just in: groups of 500 people are not monolithic

[Anonymous User]

Based purely on callback experiences Hogan seems like the chillest of the bunch.

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

I don't know about particular practice areas or remote work, but many of the A&P attorneys I met during OCI seemed kind of stuffy. Not saying they were mean or anything, but it all felt very formal/DC elite-ish. I have a couple friends there who couldn't be further from that description, but a couple others who fit it to a T. FWIW, every firm in DC has at least one person like that.

This just in: groups of 500 people are not monolithic

Sure, but IME A&P has more people that I wouldn't want to work with. I didn't even take the callback.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

I don't know about particular practice areas or remote work, but many of the A&P attorneys I met during OCI seemed kind of stuffy. Not saying they were mean or anything, but it all felt very formal/DC elite-ish. I have a couple friends there who couldn't be further from that description, but a couple others who fit it to a T. FWIW, every firm in DC has at least one person like that.

This is exactly how I felt about a handful of others, especially Covington and Wilmer. Latham seemed very fratty, which was not what I was going for, but obviously works well for some.

OP, end of the day, best advice is to apply broadly, meet people and hopefully find a group where the vibe seems right. Anon anecdotes will only get you so far in figuring out the option that will work best for you.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

Lunch is still free at Latham lmao. Speaking from experience, it's just been a pleasant place to work, and people have been supportive and kind. That's the extent to which I can elaborate on it. I can't speak for other groups or other people - just my two cents.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

Lunch is still free at Latham lmao. Speaking from experience, it's just been a pleasant place to work, and people have been supportive and kind. That's the extent to which I can elaborate on it. I can't speak for other groups or other people - just my two cents.

We were told that they’re going to end it later this year to cut costs. It was supposed to be just a COVID thing.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

Lunch is still free at Latham lmao. Speaking from experience, it's just been a pleasant place to work, and people have been supportive and kind. That's the extent to which I can elaborate on it. I can't speak for other groups or other people - just my two cents.

We were told that they’re going to end it later this year to cut costs. It was supposed to be just a COVID thing.

Right, but they haven't, so the post above isn't accurate

[Pulsar]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

A&P does have an hours-minimum for bonuses though, and plenty of associates don't make hours, or so someone there told me. So you might not get a bonus. Could still be great (wow, you might not have to bill much), but also stressful if worrying about hours is more of a thing.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

The hours are not at all equal, especially when compared to Jones Day. All that extra money Kirkland PCs make doesn't exactly just grow on trees. Jones Day also doesn't pay "large clerkship bonuses." It pays normal ones. Clerks go there for other reasons, including the low hours requirements.

[Anonymous User]

Don't avoid Kirkland DC. I have many friends and mentors there (both first-year associates and partners) that are wonderful and really enjoy the firm. Kirkland also has a great remote policy and offers nice amenities and free lunch/breakfast if you choose to come in the office.

I would recommend avoiding Jones Day, Latham, Faegre Drinker, and Goodwin.

This is almost exactly backwards from what I've heard. Kirkland DC is known as a sweat shop. Latham DC has one of the best cultures, and Jones Day DC has a reputation as a low-intensity option for people willing to take a pay haircut at the mid/senior levels.

Seconded. The person who’s trying to steer you to Kirkland DC is not a reliable person.

Latham DC and Jones Day DC are just as much sweatshops as Kirkland DC. This is a classic example of Kirkland getting more hate than it deserves. In terms of tangible benefits, it is true that Kirkland still maintains a very flexible remote policy, and that the free lunch/breakfast that firms such as LATHAM decided to cut this year are still being offered at Kirkland. Everybody talks about Latham's "great culture" but cannot elaborate on what exactly this means in a meaningful manner that distinguishes it from other firms. Jones Day's black-box pay also sucks. If you have done a SCOTUS clerkship or if the firm thinks you have a chance of doing one (i.e. COA already locked down), it may be a better option than Kirkland and Latham because of the large clerkship bonus.

Kirkland gets more hate on this sub because they do overwork their lawyers more than other firms. Many lawyers I know have said verbatim "DC biglaw has generally better WLB--except Kirkland"

[Anonymous User]

Arnold & Porter seems to check all those boxes. Very nice people and culture, especially in those practice areas, and a very laissez-faire remote policy.

A&P does have an hours-minimum for bonuses though, and plenty of associates don't make hours, or so someone there told me. So you might not get a bonus. Could still be great (wow, you might not have to bill much), but also stressful if worrying about hours is more of a thing.

former A&P DC associate here. second all of this. never interacted with a partner, associate, paralegal, support staff, etc who I actively disliked. vast majority of ppl are kind and personable. I know of no screamers. very family-friendly w/ childcare in the building. but yes it can be harder to hit hours which is necessary for bonus