Gibson Dunn Forum

[Anonymous User]

My experience (small office): everyone was really satisfied with the work. A real emphasis from everyone on you fitting in, on associate investment, on career development. Not surprising GDC won the mid-level satisfaction survey - they all seemed very happy and in control of their careers. It seemed like a very friendly place where everyone really got along. My office had 50ish lawyers, one of the smallest I had a callback at, and this may have been a part of it. The bigger firms are so much more dehumanizing. The people at this office really knew each other, and there was a real sense of cohesiveness. I think the firms conservatism, lack of layoffs, and high associate satisfaction are all very apparent in the culture.

One partner said that the free market system is a horrible idea from a short term profits perspective - that associates produce way less income, are way less efficient, etc - but that it really pays off down the line because you get happy lawyers, excited about their work, and good at it.

I'd be curious to hear other people's impressions.

[Anonymous User]

My experience (small office): everyone was really satisfied with the work. A real emphasis from everyone on you fitting in, on associate investment, on career development. Not surprising GDC won the mid-level satisfaction survey - they all seemed very happy and in control of their careers. It seemed like a very friendly place where everyone really got along. My office had 50ish lawyers, one of the smallest I had a callback at, and this may have been a part of it. The bigger firms are so much more dehumanizing. The people at this office really knew each other, and there was a real sense of cohesiveness. I think the firms conservatism, lack of layoffs, and high associate satisfaction are all very apparent in the culture.

One partner said that the free market system is a horrible idea from a short term profits perspective - that associates produce way less income, are way less efficient, etc - but that it really pays off down the line because you get happy lawyers, excited about their work, and good at it.

I'd be curious to hear other people's impressions.

that's exactly the impression I got. I wonder if it was the same office. I'm 80% sure I'm accepting at this point- how about you?

Did you get any impression of what kind of hours the associates work?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on the DC culture?

[Anonymous User]

My experience (small office): everyone was really satisfied with the work. A real emphasis from everyone on you fitting in, on associate investment, on career development. Not surprising GDC won the mid-level satisfaction survey - they all seemed very happy and in control of their careers. It seemed like a very friendly place where everyone really got along. My office had 50ish lawyers, one of the smallest I had a callback at, and this may have been a part of it. The bigger firms are so much more dehumanizing. The people at this office really knew each other, and there was a real sense of cohesiveness. I think the firms conservatism, lack of layoffs, and high associate satisfaction are all very apparent in the culture.

One partner said that the free market system is a horrible idea from a short term profits perspective - that associates produce way less income, are way less efficient, etc - but that it really pays off down the line because you get happy lawyers, excited about their work, and good at it.

I'd be curious to hear other people's impressions.

that's exactly the impression I got. I wonder if it was the same office. I'm 80% sure I'm accepting at this point- how about you?

Did you get any impression of what kind of hours the associates work?

I got the impression that the associates worked normal biglaw hours, but that it was not that bad...get in at 10, leave at 7 or 7:30 on a normal day, with spikes when busy. One guy said he had taken two full MONTH long vacations. Gibson apparently has no vacation policy, so if you do your work, and make your hours, you are fine.

What office are you talking about? I visited palo alto. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few cali firms (canceled all my NYC callbacks, no chance I'm sticking around here if I can go back to beautiful california) but I think the odds of me accepting are pretty high. My one issue has to do with living in the suburbs rather then a city like SF or LA.

[Anonymous User]

My experience (small office): everyone was really satisfied with the work. A real emphasis from everyone on you fitting in, on associate investment, on career development. Not surprising GDC won the mid-level satisfaction survey - they all seemed very happy and in control of their careers. It seemed like a very friendly place where everyone really got along. My office had 50ish lawyers, one of the smallest I had a callback at, and this may have been a part of it. The bigger firms are so much more dehumanizing. The people at this office really knew each other, and there was a real sense of cohesiveness. I think the firms conservatism, lack of layoffs, and high associate satisfaction are all very apparent in the culture.

One partner said that the free market system is a horrible idea from a short term profits perspective - that associates produce way less income, are way less efficient, etc - but that it really pays off down the line because you get happy lawyers, excited about their work, and good at it.

I'd be curious to hear other people's impressions.

that's exactly the impression I got. I wonder if it was the same office. I'm 80% sure I'm accepting at this point- how about you?

Did you get any impression of what kind of hours the associates work?

I got the impression that the associates worked normal biglaw hours, but that it was not that bad...get in at 10, leave at 7 or 7:30 on a normal day, with spikes when busy. One guy said he had taken two full MONTH long vacations. Gibson apparently has no vacation policy, so if you do your work, and make your hours, you are fine.

What office are you talking about? I visited palo alto. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few cali firms (canceled all my NYC callbacks, no chance I'm sticking around here if I can go back to beautiful california) but I think the odds of me accepting are pretty high. My one issue has to do with living in the suburbs rather then a city like SF or LA.

Dallas, but I got the same impression regarding hours.

[Anonymous User]

Do these comments apply to the NY office also?

[Anonymous User]

LA has a hold group, FYI.

Where is this info coming from?

[Anonymous User]

I was told that I was in said hold group, and from people I know who got offers last year, various other GDC offices did the same. If you are one week post CB with no ding, you are likely on hold.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the info. so they called to tell you that you were on a hold list? I had my cb with LA on Monday, so I'm holding out until the end of the week.

[Anonymous User]

Just be patient and good luck. They are a great firm. I doubt they will call everyone who is on hold (can't be more specific, sorry) but no news is good news here. As long as you don't have a ding letter in your mailbox/en route, you may still be in the running. They are very picky re fit, and academic credentials still matter even at the CB stage. Since they are one of the only LA firms that did not do blatant layoffs, they have their pick of top students right now. Congrats for making it to the CB stage, hopefully you'll get good news soon!

[Anonymous User]

Any info about DC culture?

[Anonymous User]

Just be patient and good luck. They are a great firm. I doubt they will call everyone who is on hold (can't be more specific, sorry) but no news is good news here. As long as you don't have a ding letter in your mailbox/en route, you may still be in the running. They are very picky re fit, and academic credentials still matter even at the CB stage. Since they are one of the only LA firms that did not do blatant layoffs, they have their pick of top students right now. Congrats for making it to the CB stage, hopefully you'll get good news soon!

Rejection! Oh well, for personal/geographical reasons I wouldn't have been able to take them anyway. Good luck everyone!

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone tell me about the culture in the DC office? Its obviously not as laid back as the LA office but I'd like to get some specs.

[Anonymous User]

Can anyone tell me about the culture in the DC office? Its obviously not as laid back as the LA office but I'd like to get some specs.

Also wondering about this, can anyone report?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know their 2010 offer rate (specifically for their NY office)?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know their 2010 offer rate (specifically for their NY office)?

100% last year (27/27) for the NY office. 43/47 the year before (2009).

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know their 2010 offer rate (specifically for their NY office)?

100% last year (27/27) for the NY office. 43/47 the year before (2009).

Anyone know about the DC office?