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how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2023 11:47 pm
by Anonymous User
if you choose to enjoy DLA Piper your 2L summer, could that have negative ramifications for your career down the road? could it be perceived as a black mark on your resume?

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:20 am
by Anonymous User
Yeah, it's pretty fucking terrible.

But let me tell you, when you're truly desperate for a job, ready to scrape the bottom the barrel, you'll be begging to piper.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:24 am
by existentialcrisis
Assuming this question is remotely in good faith, which might be a big assumption:

DLA Piper is fine - assuming an OK economy, you'll be able to lateral to other market paying firms and if you actually like it there, it's a good enough brand to go in house with the right amount of experience.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:48 am
by nealric
It's an enormous firm with a lot of offices. Like other such firms, your experience will vary greatly depending on where you work and your practice area. It does tend to have lower PPP and RPL compared to many similarly sized firms and tends to be less selective for recruiting. There's a reason why "enjoy DLA piper" became a bit of a meme.

On the other hand, for the purposes of lateraling and exit ops, you check the "biglaw" box and as long as you managed to get decent experience you should do fine.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 12:37 pm
by hangtime813
IMO its a respectable solid biglaw firm (if not kind of generic). Walmart sized but hey if you like the culture and people you worked with, I would go with it. Really dependent on office (they seem to gobble up smaller firms all the time) but you could do far worse.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:08 pm
by Anonymous User
Rob Davis in CHI is fratty.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:16 pm
by Anonymous User
It’s honestly a good place to work if you are more of a politician than a black-letter lawyer. Their system favors “relationship building skills” (namely, kissing the behind of the right people) over technical skills. Also, all newly minted partners are technically equity and can make lots of money quickly if they can source origination credit.

If you are more of a black-letter lawyer, you will likely find yourself frustrated there (unless you get lucky with your particular team). Those skills just aren’t as valued as with other firms.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:47 pm
by nealric
Anonymous User wrote:
Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:16 pm
It’s honestly a good place to work if you are more of a politician than a black-letter lawyer. Their system favors “relationship building skills” (namely, kissing the behind of the right people) over technical skills. Also, all newly minted partners are technically equity and can make lots of money quickly if they can source origination credit.

If you are more of a black-letter lawyer, you will likely find yourself frustrated there (unless you get lucky with your particular team). Those skills just aren’t as valued as with other firms.
I'd say this is true of almost anywhere. The savvy politician will beat the skilled technician every time. Even places with a culture that demands technical skills, most the game is convincing others of your skills rather than actually having them.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:02 pm
by bajablast
Anonymous User wrote:
Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:16 pm
It’s honestly a good place to work if you are more of a politician than a black-letter lawyer. Their system favors “relationship building skills” (namely, kissing the behind of the right people) over technical skills. Also, all newly minted partners are technically equity and can make lots of money quickly if they can source origination credit.

If you are more of a black-letter lawyer, you will likely find yourself frustrated there (unless you get lucky with your particular team). Those skills just aren’t as valued as with other firms.
Damn, how many years typically before you become partner? That sounds pretty awesome tbh.

Re: how TTT is DLA Piper?

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:04 pm
by Anonymous User
bajablast wrote:
Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:02 pm
Anonymous User wrote:
Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:16 pm
It’s honestly a good place to work if you are more of a politician than a black-letter lawyer. Their system favors “relationship building skills” (namely, kissing the behind of the right people) over technical skills. Also, all newly minted partners are technically equity and can make lots of money quickly if they can source origination credit.

If you are more of a black-letter lawyer, you will likely find yourself frustrated there (unless you get lucky with your particular team). Those skills just aren’t as valued as with other firms.
Damn, how many years typically before you become partner? That sounds pretty awesome tbh.
Depends. It’s usually 9-10+ years, which is longer than some other firms. But the up and out culture is less prominent, if you’re happy with senior associate market pay.