Underrated lit boutiques? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

Have fun never going to trial!

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

[Anonymous User]

This is just the Cravath troll extending the troll to DC. Don’t feed the troll.

[Anonymous User]

This is just the Cravath troll extending the troll to DC. Don’t feed the troll.

As I said, I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I do agree that the benefits of Covington's prestige, network, and breadth of lit and corporate practice groups makes it the best choice for a litigator. I also do agree with the previous poster that boutiques offer trial experience but you can get that through pro bono publico service. OP, I would advise trying for Covington or Latham in DC

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

By this logic everyone should have went to Cahill Gordon to work with Floyd Abrams

[Anonymous User]

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

Covington doesn't even get better cases. Calling TikTok "the biggest 1st Amendment case in years" is a stretch. and Williams & Connolly and Kellogg (and Wilkinson, and the other DC trial-oriented firms) have plenty of comparably significant matters. They pay better, too.

[Anonymous User]

Sooo... actually underrated DC boutiques anyone?

[Anonymous User]

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

Covington doesn't even get better cases. Calling TikTok "the biggest 1st Amendment case in years" is a stretch. and Williams & Connolly and Kellogg (and Wilkinson, and the other DC trial-oriented firms) have plenty of comparably significant matters. They pay better, too.

I thought W&C paid below market—not true anymore?

[Anonymous User]

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

Covington doesn't even get better cases. Calling TikTok "the biggest 1st Amendment case in years" is a stretch. and Williams & Connolly and Kellogg (and Wilkinson, and the other DC trial-oriented firms) have plenty of comparably significant matters. They pay better, too.

Mental gymnastics. Covington is always where the action is. WC is a peer, I agree with that. Kellogg and Wilkinson are run of the mill, not special

[Anonymous User]

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

Covington doesn't even get better cases. Calling TikTok "the biggest 1st Amendment case in years" is a stretch. and Williams & Connolly and Kellogg (and Wilkinson, and the other DC trial-oriented firms) have plenty of comparably significant matters. They pay better, too.

Mental gymnastics. Covington is always where the action is. WC is a peer, I agree with that. Kellogg and Wilkinson are run of the mill, not special

My understanding and my friend's understanding during OCI and to this day was that WC and Covington DC were peers with strengths and weaknesses in different areas. At least at my school they were equally competitive. Kellogg on the other hand was idolized by the law review gunner types who for some reason appeared to be willing to sacrifice their first born to get in (maybe it is because they pay a lot and Neil Gorsuch worked there?). Wilkinson was seen as your run of the mill elite boutique (although that is misnomer as elite boutiques are anything but run of the mill).

I had heard that in the olden days WC was a lot smaller and more unique and lean, but have expanded and moved closer to a standard biglaw firm. Maybe 10 years ago they were ahead of Covington?

[Anonymous User]

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

Yeah, pretty much. I have to admit, the Covington troll got me for a minute. (To be clear: Covington is a great firm, especially for regulatory work. But it is far from being the best trial or appellate firm in DC.)

I usually don't like to rub it in when I'm right, but for OP's sake, I'll just point out that Covington in DC is now representing TikTok in the biggest 1st Amendment case in years.

I have no opinion on what the best firm in DC is, but there can be a difference between the best firm and the best firm to start your career at with XYZ goals. If you have good or even great but not stellar credentials—e.g., T6 circuit clerk—and you want to actually do trials or appeals, you might be better off going to WC or KH just because those firms will give you a better chance of getting good experience and doing that work, even if Covington ultimately is a better firm getting better cases.

Covington doesn't even get better cases. Calling TikTok "the biggest 1st Amendment case in years" is a stretch. and Williams & Connolly and Kellogg (and Wilkinson, and the other DC trial-oriented firms) have plenty of comparably significant matters. They pay better, too.

Mental gymnastics. Covington is always where the action is. WC is a peer, I agree with that. Kellogg and Wilkinson are run of the mill, not special

A+ trolling.

[The Lsat Airbender]

Sooo... actually underrated DC boutiques anyone?

Underrated by whom? What "good" rating criteria are you interested in?

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

This is the correct answer for 'best' firms, but I would also add MTO DC to this list as a top 3.

To answer OPs original question for underrated, I think the more idealogical firms like Gupta Wessler or Consovoy don't get the same level of recognition because of pay, but their cases are usually much more interesting (at least to me).

The Covington troll must be some incoming 2L from a T6 trying to hype up their own image.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

This is the correct answer for 'best' firms, but I would also add MTO DC to this list as a top 3.

To answer OPs original question for underrated, I think the more idealogical firms like Gupta Wessler or Consovoy don't get the same level of recognition because of pay, but their cases are usually much more interesting (at least to me).

The Covington troll must be some incoming 2L from a T6 trying to hype up their own image.

I'm one of the above posters. You're right to add MTO DC. I forgot about it because it's so small (maybe 20 people?). But if I heard someone worked there, I'd be immediately impressed.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

This is the correct answer for 'best' firms, but I would also add MTO DC to this list as a top 3.

To answer OPs original question for underrated, I think the more idealogical firms like Gupta Wessler or Consovoy don't get the same level of recognition because of pay, but their cases are usually much more interesting (at least to me).

The Covington troll must be some incoming 2L from a T6 trying to hype up their own image.

Now that the rankings don't even reflect it anymore anyway, can we scrap use of the phrase "T6"? There is no such thing.

The jumbling/randomness in the rankings reflects what has always been true: it is HYS, another 12-15 national law schools that reliably send people to biglaw and federal clerkships in no particular order, flagship state schools, then everything else.

[Anonymous User]

Yes agreed. Outside of YHS and maybe C, there’s no difference between the rest of the traditional T-14. NYU and Berkeley have the same outcomes. Duke and Georgetown have the same outcomes. Etc.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

This is the correct answer for 'best' firms, but I would also add MTO DC to this list as a top 3.

To answer OPs original question for underrated, I think the more idealogical firms like Gupta Wessler or Consovoy don't get the same level of recognition because of pay, but their cases are usually much more interesting (at least to me).

The Covington troll must be some incoming 2L from a T6 trying to hype up their own image.

Now that the rankings don't even reflect it anymore anyway, can we scrap use of the phrase "T6"? There is no such thing.

The jumbling/randomness in the rankings reflects what has always been true: it is HYS, another 12-15 national law schools that reliably send people to biglaw and federal clerkships in no particular order, flagship state schools, then everything else.

Largely agree, except I never understood why S was lumped with HY. It's always been the forgotten black sheep. It's a slightly better Chicago.

[Anonymous User]

Curious about underrated DC boutiques?

Curious about this as well.

Just go to Covington or Wilmer (preferably the former ofc) Boutiques are generally overrated and offer less name recognition, fewer connections/worse networking, and no better career experience than the top DC biglaw firms

This is bizarre advice. The top DC boutiques (Kellogg, Wilkinson, etc.) all offer much better early trial experience than big firms. At boutiques, it is not uncommon for associates to begin deposing witnesses or arguing in court within months of starting. At bigger firms, there are still senior associates who haven't taken a depo. Of course, that early responsibility also means long hours and stress. There are pros and cons to the boutique lifestyle.

The choice to single out Covington and Wilmer is also strange. Covington does mostly regulatory work, has no elite trial lawyers, and doesn't have much of an appeals group. Wilmer does less regulatory work and a notable appeals group but it similarly lacking in trial opportunities. For anyone seriously considering a litigation boutique, Williams & Connolly, Gibson, Kirkland, and Paul Weiss are all more obvious fits.

I'm not the individual you're responding to, but I agree including Wilmer was odd. Covington, however, makes sense as it's the best firm in DC (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... hington-dc)

The best firms in DC are Williams and Connolly and Kellogg Hansen by a country mile.

This is the correct answer for 'best' firms, but I would also add MTO DC to this list as a top 3.

To answer OPs original question for underrated, I think the more idealogical firms like Gupta Wessler or Consovoy don't get the same level of recognition because of pay, but their cases are usually much more interesting (at least to me).

The Covington troll must be some incoming 2L from a T6 trying to hype up their own image.

Have to laugh at putting MTO in DC above Covington. Just lol. Covington and WC are the best in DC, no one else matches their prestige and name recognition. Everyone knows this.

[Anonymous User]

Have to laugh at putting MTO in DC above Covington. Just lol. Covington and WC are the best in DC, no one else matches their prestige and name recognition. Everyone knows this.

I think this is underselling how insanely selective MTO DC is. I don't think they'll even hire you without a clerkship, unlike Covington. Almost every person at MTO DC was a COA clerk and about a quarter of them clerked on SCOTUS.

[Anonymous User]

Have to laugh at putting MTO in DC above Covington. Just lol. Covington and WC are the best in DC, no one else matches their prestige and name recognition. Everyone knows this.

I think this is underselling how insanely selective MTO DC is. I don't think they'll even hire you without a clerkship, unlike Covington. Almost every person at MTO DC was a COA clerk and about a quarter of them clerked on SCOTUS.

Disregard the troll! Edit: to clarify, I mean the "Covington and WC are the best in DC" troll.

[Anonymous User]

Have to laugh at putting MTO in DC above Covington. Just lol. Covington and WC are the best in DC, no one else matches their prestige and name recognition. Everyone knows this.

I think this is underselling how insanely selective MTO DC is. I don't think they'll even hire you without a clerkship, unlike Covington. Almost every person at MTO DC was a COA clerk and about a quarter of them clerked on SCOTUS.

Disregard the troll! Edit: to clarify, I mean the "Covington and WC are the best in DC" troll.

"People who disagree with my bad takes are trolls"