2L Summer Associate Position Options—What Would You Do? Forum

[180degrees]

I'm fortunate to have multiple offers for my 2L SA position. My offers are as follows:

-Debevoise (NYC)
-Sidley Austin (Chicago)
-Fenwick & West (Mountain View)
-Wilson Sonsini (Palo Alto)
-Simpson Thacher (Palo Alto)

I'm from the Midwest but lived in CA during college and before starting law school. These SA positions are for the corporate groups at each of these firms. I'm mainly interested in M&A, investment funds, and tech/startup/ECVC work, but I am trying to keep my mind open.

In researching these firms, Debevoise is probably the strongest overall for M&A and funds work, but it doesn't do any startup/tech/ECVC work. Sidley's Chicago office has a strong corporate practice, focusing on M&A, private equity, capital markets, securities, and fund formation. However, like Debevoise, they're lacking in startup/tech/ECVC work. STB is great at M&A and funds work, but they also don't do any ECVC/startup stuff. One concern I have for STB is that I'd be working in a satellite office, whereas, with each of the other firms, I'd be working in their HQ.

I know that most rising 2L's interests (including mine) can be quite nebulous, so I'm also questioning how much I should value the firms' strengths in these areas vs. considering the overall prestige of the firms in the legal world.

Another thing to note is that both Sidley Austin and Fenwick have offered me 2L scholarships. These scholarships are both $50,000—$25,000 will be disbursed while I'm a 2L associate, and the remaining $25,000 will be disbursed once I start as a full-time associate. Wilson Sonsini told me that they do not have a scholarship program, and I am awaiting word from Debevoise on whether they have one to which I can apply. STB also has a $50,000 2L scholarship that I applied to, but I haven't heard back about whether I received it.

I could see myself living in each of these geographical regions, as I'm from the Midwest, have strong ties to CA, and have been to New York 7-8 times and loved my visits each time I've gone. For those of you who know much about the offices for each of these firms, I'd love to hear what you'd do if you were in my shoes!

[Barry grandpapy]

Good options, here's my 2 cents.

Strike Deb. You're not gunning for NY. Your brokerage account and personal West coast ties will thank you. No idea why anyone would choose NY if there's other options and it's not their clear number 1.

If Sidley Chicago gave you an extra $50k scholarship stipend then you're an idiot if you don't take it. Short of that, Chicago v. Mountain View/Palo Alto needs more introspection. If you're not Cali or bust I don't even see the comparison. Your money will go way, way farther in Chicago and it's a great city. But if Cali weather/close fam and ties is worth the $, ok. To me, Palo Alto gives off overrated/car dependent/tech God complex bro suburb vibes with NY prices, but to each their own. Oh and I think Fenwick guttered junior classes fairly recently so yeah strike them.

I'm biased but maybe also reconsider your ECVC interest. From what I gather with alumni friends in the field, the clients sound annoying, fee sensitive, and kinda dumb. If the CEO has your phone number that's cool for about the first week, then it quickly wears off. Your exit reward for slogging through it all may just be more startup culture which doesn't exactly sound chill after putting in your biglaw time.

My vote is Sidley Chicago, latching onto [insert the sanest group] and riding it out. Maybe follow it up with a midlevel lateral for some sign on $$ for the last biglaw lap. Not burning out is a great career start in the field.

Last thought, but since your practice choices are literally all over the place maybe also don't do M&A. Their work life generally seems Hellish in my limited experience at two different firms.

[180degrees]

Good options, here's my 2 cents.

Strike Deb. You're not gunning for NY. Your brokerage account and personal West coast ties will thank you. No idea why anyone would choose NY if there's other options and it's not their clear number 1.

If Sidley Chicago gave you an extra $50k scholarship stipend then you're an idiot if you don't take it. Short of that, Chicago v. Mountain View/Palo Alto needs more introspection. If you're not Cali or bust I don't even see the comparison. Your money will go way, way farther in Chicago and it's a great city. But if Cali weather/close fam and ties is worth the $, ok. To me, Palo Alto gives off overrated/car dependent/tech God complex bro suburb vibes with NY prices, but to each their own. Oh and I think Fenwick guttered junior classes fairly recently so yeah strike them.

I'm biased but maybe also reconsider your ECVC interest. From what I gather with alumni friends in the field, the clients sound annoying, fee sensitive, and kinda dumb. If the CEO has your phone number that's cool for about the first week, then it quickly wears off. Your exit reward for slogging through it all may just be more startup culture which doesn't exactly sound chill after putting in your biglaw time.

My vote is Sidley Chicago, latching onto [insert the sanest group] and riding it out. Maybe follow it up with a midlevel lateral for some sign on $$ for the last biglaw lap. Not burning out is a great career start in the field.

Last thought, but since your practice choices are literally all over the place maybe also don't do M&A. Their work life generally seems Hellish in my limited experience at two different firms.

Thanks so much for your detailed input!

I appreciate your perspective on Debevoise and NYC. While the firm's strengths in M&A and funds are appealing, the lifestyle and cost considerations are certainly significant factors.

The $50k scholarship from Sidley Chicago is a big draw, and I agree that Chicago offers a great balance between quality of life and professional opportunities.

I wasn't aware of the situation at Fenwick regarding junior associates. Could you elaborate or point me toward more information on that?

Your insights on ECVC work are valuable. I've been drawn to it due to my tech background and interest in startups, but it's helpful to hear about the potential downsides from those in the field.

As for M&A, I understand it's demanding. I'll have to weigh that against my career goals and work-life balance preferences.

Thanks again for your candid advice!

[Barry grandpapy]

Good options, here's my 2 cents.

Strike Deb. You're not gunning for NY. Your brokerage account and personal West coast ties will thank you. No idea why anyone would choose NY if there's other options and it's not their clear number 1.

If Sidley Chicago gave you an extra $50k scholarship stipend then you're an idiot if you don't take it. Short of that, Chicago v. Mountain View/Palo Alto needs more introspection. If you're not Cali or bust I don't even see the comparison. Your money will go way, way farther in Chicago and it's a great city. But if Cali weather/close fam and ties is worth the $, ok. To me, Palo Alto gives off overrated/car dependent/tech God complex bro suburb vibes with NY prices, but to each their own. Oh and I think Fenwick guttered junior classes fairly recently so yeah strike them.

I'm biased but maybe also reconsider your ECVC interest. From what I gather with alumni friends in the field, the clients sound annoying, fee sensitive, and kinda dumb. If the CEO has your phone number that's cool for about the first week, then it quickly wears off. Your exit reward for slogging through it all may just be more startup culture which doesn't exactly sound chill after putting in your biglaw time.

My vote is Sidley Chicago, latching onto [insert the sanest group] and riding it out. Maybe follow it up with a midlevel lateral for some sign on $$ for the last biglaw lap. Not burning out is a great career start in the field.

Last thought, but since your practice choices are literally all over the place maybe also don't do M&A. Their work life generally seems Hellish in my limited experience at two different firms.

Thanks so much for your detailed input!

I appreciate your perspective on Debevoise and NYC. While the firm's strengths in M&A and funds are appealing, the lifestyle and cost considerations are certainly significant factors.

The $50k scholarship from Sidley Chicago is a big draw, and I agree that Chicago offers a great balance between quality of life and professional opportunities.

I wasn't aware of the situation at Fenwick regarding junior associates. Could you elaborate or point me toward more information on that?

Your insights on ECVC work are valuable. I've been drawn to it due to my tech background and interest in startups, but it's helpful to hear about the potential downsides from those in the field.

As for M&A, I understand it's demanding. I'll have to weigh that against my career goals and work-life balance preferences.

Thanks again for your candid advice!

They laid off ~10% of associates earlier this year. At a minimum, you should remove them from your list of options.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/fe ... neys-staff

[Anonymous User]

Good options, here's my 2 cents.

Strike Deb. You're not gunning for NY. Your brokerage account and personal West coast ties will thank you. No idea why anyone would choose NY if there's other options and it's not their clear number 1.

If Sidley Chicago gave you an extra $50k scholarship stipend then you're an idiot if you don't take it. Short of that, Chicago v. Mountain View/Palo Alto needs more introspection. If you're not Cali or bust I don't even see the comparison. Your money will go way, way farther in Chicago and it's a great city. But if Cali weather/close fam and ties is worth the $, ok. To me, Palo Alto gives off overrated/car dependent/tech God complex bro suburb vibes with NY prices, but to each their own. Oh and I think Fenwick guttered junior classes fairly recently so yeah strike them.

I'm biased but maybe also reconsider your ECVC interest. From what I gather with alumni friends in the field, the clients sound annoying, fee sensitive, and kinda dumb. If the CEO has your phone number that's cool for about the first week, then it quickly wears off. Your exit reward for slogging through it all may just be more startup culture which doesn't exactly sound chill after putting in your biglaw time.

My vote is Sidley Chicago, latching onto [insert the sanest group] and riding it out. Maybe follow it up with a midlevel lateral for some sign on $$ for the last biglaw lap. Not burning out is a great career start in the field.

Last thought, but since your practice choices are literally all over the place maybe also don't do M&A. Their work life generally seems Hellish in my limited experience at two different firms.

Thanks so much for your detailed input!

I appreciate your perspective on Debevoise and NYC. While the firm's strengths in M&A and funds are appealing, the lifestyle and cost considerations are certainly significant factors.

The $50k scholarship from Sidley Chicago is a big draw, and I agree that Chicago offers a great balance between quality of life and professional opportunities.

I wasn't aware of the situation at Fenwick regarding junior associates. Could you elaborate or point me toward more information on that?

Your insights on ECVC work are valuable. I've been drawn to it due to my tech background and interest in startups, but it's helpful to hear about the potential downsides from those in the field.

As for M&A, I understand it's demanding. I'll have to weigh that against my career goals and work-life balance preferences.

Thanks again for your candid advice!

They laid off ~10% of associates earlier this year. At a minimum, you should remove them from your list of options.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/fe ... neys-staff

I don't think Deb's M&A group makes it a draw. It's like a fine practice and all but it's heavily skewed to PE and have heard from friends there that deal flow has been slower in a higher interest rate environment. The league tables for 2Q24 have Deb advising on 11 deals over 100mm as opposed to Sidley's 27. Sidley is def a larger firm, but I don't think Deb's group is meaningfully better than Sidley's.

Their funds group is though - that's a fair point.

That said, I would take the money and run with Sidley Chicago.