DPW v. S&C (NYC Lit) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Very lucky to have received offers. I am looking for good exit outcomes, as I am unsure how long I want to stay in biglaw (I am not sure if school still matters for lateraling/clerkship but FWIW I go to a T50).
I really like DPW the most because of the location, the fact that they haven't laid associates off/cut pay in recessions in the past, the culture (ik it isn't the most reliable measure), and the fact that a lot of people seem to stay there.
I have not had the chance to visit S&C yet but it's much harder for my partner to get to FiDi so he would prefer if I didn't live there. I really like their generalist model (although DPW litigation is generalist for the first three years as well before settling down).
It is my understanding that these two firms do essentially the same type of work litigation-wise. The only material difference I've noticed is that DPW is Band 2 for general commercial litigation whereas S&C is Band 1.
Is one significantly more prestigious than the other for the sake of exit outcomes or am I okay to choose either one? Also, does anyone have any input or advice on which one you would choose? Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

I literally had this same decision and went with DPW because I liked the culture way, way better. However, when I asked associates they said "prestige" wise S&C was slightly higher but materially the same.

[Anonymous User]

The exits are identical. SullCrom is a tough commute and has a tougher culture. DPW's litigation shop produces a lot of AUSAs and the general civil litigation practice is very strong and you'd be splitting hairs. That being said, only SullCrom does appellate work.

[Anonymous User]

I literally had this same decision and went with DPW because I liked the culture way, way better. However, when I asked associates they said "prestige" wise S&C was slightly hire but materially the same.

S&C handles some MDLs and other GCL that DPW generally does not. But DPW arguably has a stronger Gov-facing WC & Investigations practice. There's minute practice area strength differences that matter if you want to become a senior associate and make a run for partner. Since it sounds like you want to make your money then go in-house, picking based on culture makes sense here. The clientele is not materially different (given you prioritize high-quality exits generally, and not any particular company in particular).

[Anonymous User]

They are not particularly distinguishable. If you want civil lit, go to S&C. If you want white collar, go to DPW.

[Anonymous User]

Choose based on whether you’d rather an office downtown or in midtown

[The Lsat Airbender]

Choose based on whether you’d rather an office downtown or in midtown

unironically this. Probably the single biggest lifestyle difference

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Of all like the classic biglaw firms, so I guess this would be non-boutiques and not Wachtell, S&C is probably the leaner and most "prestigous" lit firm for just standard biglaw litigation. But I think all these firms are functionally the same particularly for juniors. However, if you want to do appellate work S&C is defnitely materially better there. Besides that, I still think it's up to fit.

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Of all like the classic biglaw firms, so I guess this would be non-boutiques and not Wachtell, S&C is probably the leaner and most "prestigous" lit firm for just standard biglaw litigation. But I think all these firms are functionally the same particularly for juniors. However, if you want to do appellate work S&C is defnitely materially better there. Besides that, I still think it's up to fit.

1st years/juniors are getting staffed on appellate matters at S&C?

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Of all like the classic biglaw firms, so I guess this would be non-boutiques and not Wachtell, S&C is probably the leaner and most "prestigous" lit firm for just standard biglaw litigation. But I think all these firms are functionally the same particularly for juniors. However, if you want to do appellate work S&C is defnitely materially better there. Besides that, I still think it's up to fit.

1st years/juniors are getting staffed on appellate matters at S&C?

Good point. I guess the appellate thing doesn't really matter unless you have circuit clerkship.

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

[Anonymous User]

I worked at DPW for <4 years, first as a generalist litigator and then increasingly in one of the sub-specialties. (I won’t say more because anon.) I then left for a government agency and had more than one offer from the agencies I applied to when I did so. So, consider this as a recent and positive data point in DPW’s favor.

[Anonymous User]

There is a significant difference between working at an elite litigation boutique or wachtell and either of these firms. There is no meaningful difference between these two firms (or any of the generic top tier NYC big law firms). Just flip a coin

[Anonymous User]

There is a significant difference between working at an elite litigation boutique or wachtell and either of these firms. There is no meaningful difference between these two firms (or any of the generic top tier NYC big law firms). Just flip a coin

Curious as to why Wachtell is different. Is it more than the money?

[Anonymous User]

There is a significant difference between working at an elite litigation boutique or wachtell and either of these firms. There is no meaningful difference between these two firms (or any of the generic top tier NYC big law firms). Just flip a coin

Curious as to why Wachtell is different. Is it more than the money?

It's the V2 and some lit boutiques (like Susman). It's mostly a combination of prestige, training, small teams (which give you added responsibility early on), and exit options.

[Anonymous User]

There is a significant difference between working at an elite litigation boutique or wachtell and either of these firms. There is no meaningful difference between these two firms (or any of the generic top tier NYC big law firms). Just flip a coin

Curious as to why Wachtell is different. Is it more than the money?

It's the V2 and some lit boutiques (like Susman). It's mostly a combination of prestige, training, small teams (which give you added responsibility early on), and exit options.

V2

guess who's back, back again ~~

[Anonymous User]

There is a significant difference between working at an elite litigation boutique or wachtell and either of these firms. There is no meaningful difference between these two firms (or any of the generic top tier NYC big law firms). Just flip a coin

Curious as to why Wachtell is different. Is it more than the money?

It's the V2 and some lit boutiques (like Susman). It's mostly a combination of prestige, training, small teams (which give you added responsibility early on), and exit options.

V2

guess who's back, back again ~~

?

[The Lsat Airbender]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

referring to Vault as "the rankings" is amazingly law-student-brained lol

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

referring to Vault as "the rankings" is amazingly law-student-brained lol

In fairness, they're typically in the same range raw score-wise (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... n/new-york). They're both within less than a point of each other. So I would agree w/ previous poster that they're comparably prestigious in NYC.

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

referring to Vault as "the rankings" is amazingly law-student-brained lol

In fairness, they're typically in the same range raw score-wise (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... n/new-york). They're both within less than a point of each other. So I would agree w/ previous poster that they're comparably prestigious in NYC.

Do we need “raw scores” to tell us what every lawyer in NYC knows?

[Anonymous User]

They are not particularly distinguishable. If you want civil lit, go to S&C. If you want white collar, go to DPW.

S&C > DPW for white collar

[Anonymous User]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

referring to Vault as "the rankings" is amazingly law-student-brained lol

In fairness, they're typically in the same range raw score-wise (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... n/new-york). They're both within less than a point of each other. So I would agree w/ previous poster that they're comparably prestigious in NYC.

Do we need “raw scores” to tell us what every lawyer in NYC knows?

Hahah, TLS has to make up its mind. The raw scores don't reflect popular wisdom, the raw score do reflect public opinion, Vault good, Vault bad, etc etc

[The Lsat Airbender]

Both are good NY firms, but SullCrom is widely regarded as more prestigious. It's better in litigation, too. Maybe someone on here can correct me, but it has among the smallest lit teams of any NY biglaw firm, no?

Not sure SullCrom is “widely regarded as more prestigious.” The two are peer firms in every sense of that phrase.

Yeah, DPW outranks SullCrom in the regional rankings so idk what this poster is referring to

referring to Vault as "the rankings" is amazingly law-student-brained lol

In fairness, they're typically in the same range raw score-wise (https://legacy.vault.com/best-companies ... n/new-york). They're both within less than a point of each other. So I would agree w/ previous poster that they're comparably prestigious in NYC.

a broken clock is right twice daily