NY S&C, Latham or STB? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Would appreciate any advice! I am choosing between summer offers in NYC at S&C, Latham or STB. I want to do transactional work, maybe M&A or Funds. Listed below are some major things I like / dislike about and I would appreciate any pointers / correction. Thoughts? Thanks!


S&C: the most white-shoe, conservative (culture wise) of all, I like the generalist approach and the FIG group. I heard that the hours at S&C are particularly insane (like Cravath level), though hours at all of these places can be equally miserable. Not a huge fan of their amenities on site but even first-years get offices.

Latham: Probably more social than S&C, nice office & location. Has the unassigned period (which I like), and has great corporate practice. I LOVE their office but first-years only have open-area seating.

STB: Probably more social than the above 2. Strong PE M&A and great corporate practice in general. Not a huge fan of the rotational program though.


P.S. I am an international student so I DO NEED A H1B. None of these firms is making promises but at this point we are all choosing blind because no one knows what the market will be like in 3 years.

[Anonymous User]

Would appreciate any advice! I am choosing between summer offers in NYC at S&C, Latham or STB. I want to do transactional work, maybe M&A or Funds. Listed below are some major things I like / dislike about and I would appreciate any pointers / correction. Thoughts? Thanks!


S&C: the most white-shoe, conservative (culture wise) of all, I like the generalist approach and the FIG group. I heard that the hours at S&C are particularly insane (like Cravath level), though hours at all of these places can be equally miserable. Not a huge fan of their amenities on site but even first-years get offices.

Latham: Probably more social than S&C, nice office & location. Has the unassigned period (which I like), and has great corporate practice. I LOVE their office but first-years only have open-area seating.

STB: Probably more social than the above 2. Strong PE M&A and great corporate practice in general. Not a huge fan of the rotational program though.


P.S. I am an international student so I DO NEED A H1B. None of these firms is making promises but at this point we are all choosing blind because no one knows what the market will be like in 3 years.

FWIW - Latham is Skadden level bro/social while STB is not really that type of vibe

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely surprised to hear the take that STB is probably more social than Latham. Either you must have gotten an odd selection of interviewers or times have completely changed.

I’m at Latham and have had a good experience so I’m biased. Good culture and honestly feels like a unique combination of the best of both worlds as far as social and normal people combined with top pedigree work. Your post suggests you prefer a social culture so sounds like Latham makes sense here.

[Anonymous User]

Genuinely surprised to hear the take that STB is probably more social than Latham. Either you must have gotten an odd selection of interviewers or times have completely changed.

I’m at Latham and have had a good experience so I’m biased. Good culture and honestly feels like a unique combination of the best of both worlds as far as social and normal people combined with top pedigree work. Your post suggests you prefer a social culture so sounds like Latham makes sense here.

Honestly this would pretty easily S&C >= STB >> Latham generally with your practice area interests, but being international swings it pretty hard in favor of Latham imo.

Latham sponsors for green card 2 years after an associate joins. I'm inclined to guess they have a friendlier international policy overall also. And while the firm's practice is a little weaker than the other two on the corporate side overall, it's certainly no lightweight.

[Anonymous User]

Honestly easily S&C

[Anonymous User]

Honestly easily S&C

Feel like if you are trying to maximize prestige and you want to do M&A, S&C is a no brainer. If you also want to do PE M&A or funds, then STB is also credible.

Don't really see a ton of argument for Latham, especially since you don't seem to love the social scene there

[Anonymous User]

Not sure people are reading your post. STB is the clear choice if you are interested in Funds and M&A.

S&C doesn’t do Funds. Latham NY has a weaker funds (band 2) and M&A practice (band 3) in NYC. STB is band 1 for both.