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Hi everyone - just curious about what people think. I have to decide between STB and Ropes. I think I got better vibes from the people at STB, and STB has offered me a substantial scholarship. But I'd much rather live in Boston than in NYC, and Ropes felt slightly less intense. Ropes also seems to have the specter of layoffs forever looming. I'm interested in fund formation, asset management and other corporate work (definitely not set 100%). Any thoughts?

Ropes is very strong in PE and funds. Top firm in Boston. Good culture. Pick Ropes.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:49 pm

But I'd much rather live in Boston than in NYC

this seals the deal IMO, assuming your preference for Boston is relatively concrete and durable

The Lsat Airbender wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 23, 2023 11:01 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:49 pm

But I'd much rather live in Boston than in NYC

this seals the deal IMO, assuming your preference for Boston is relatively concrete and durable

Yeah this is clearly ropes.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 23, 2023 8:47 pm

STB is stronger in almost every aspect. Ropes is also laying off many people. STB will give you much better exit opportunities and job security. Ropes is not worth it just for the sake of location.

OP, this is either a Kool Aid drinker or a rising 2L falling for Vault bait.

STB is marginally stronger than Ropes, sometimes, but Ropes is still one of the highest regarded PE law firms in the country alongside STB and K&E.

Given you clearly prefer Boston, this is no brainer Ropes.

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:02 am

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Where are you hearing about overhiring?

Ropes actually did layoff some fairly busy, pretty well-regarded juniors in its funds practice. So I'd suck it up and work in NY to avoid working at a layoff firm.

Ropes is the clear choice here. STB has never had a particularly positive reputation for culture. If you want to live in Boston, then live in Boston, and Ropes is the best shop. Easy.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:49 pm

Ropes is the clear choice here. STB has never had a particularly positive reputation for culture. If you want to live in Boston, then live in Boston, and Ropes is the best shop. Easy.

Best in town in terms of revenue and prestige, probably. But bad place to start a career if there are layoffs.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:02 am

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Why would you say they're overhiring this year?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 27, 2023 4:11 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:02 am

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Why would you say they're overhiring this year?

If there’s something STB didn’t do is aggressive hiring. Arguably it may have been a mistake to not aggressively hire these past few years

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:43 am

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 27, 2023 4:11 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:02 am

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Why would you say they're overhiring this year?

If there’s something STB didn’t do is aggressive hiring. Arguably it may have been a mistake to not aggressively hire these past few years

Yeah, I think their summer classes are either average size or a even a bit smaller when adjusted for firm size--compared to peer NYC firms. losing clients to Kirkland is also unsubstantiated when they've raised some of the biggest funds ever for Blackstone/CVC/KKR in the last couple of years ago. the above poster seems oddly salty lol. it's a solid firm OP.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2023 4:01 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:43 am

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 27, 2023 4:11 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:02 am

STB is very much overhiring this year and is going to be the new Kirkland. They're losing PE clients to Kirkland anyways but I'd be very wary of going to STB unless it's your sole offer.

Why would you say they're overhiring this year?

If there’s something STB didn’t do is aggressive hiring. Arguably it may have been a mistake to not aggressively hire these past few years

Yeah, I think their summer classes are either average size or a even a bit smaller when adjusted for firm size--compared to peer NYC firms. losing clients to Kirkland is also unsubstantiated when they've raised some of the biggest funds ever for Blackstone/CVC/KKR in the last couple of years ago. the above poster seems oddly salty lol. it's a solid firm OP.

Might be that STB troll from a while ago. But given the hate that good firms like Cravath get perhaps it’s a compliment for a firm to have trolls.