Latham (DC) v. Milbank (NY) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey y'all, currently deciding between Latham (DC) and Milbank (NY) with a $50k scholarship from Milbank. I am not attached to DC, however I must consider the Cost of Living difference in NY. I would like to practice transactional and maybe even hit the partner track down the line.

My priorities are (1) prestige & personal development , (2) culture (specifically as a Black queer woman), and (3) opportunities for upward mobility.

Ultimately, I want to go somewhere I can stay for a while and not hate it. I want to be able to grow and improve as an attorney overall. I don't want the only reason I choose Latham to be ranking, but to be honest the stories I've heard about POC experiences there are really making me hesitate.

Would I be selling myself short by going to a lower ranked firm? Am I silly for even comparing the two?

Please help my deadlines for decisions are coming up.

[Anonymous User]

This ultimately depends on which practice area you'd like to join.

But assuming that you're still unsure — which is totally the fine — I'd take the money. Milbank has very strong practice groups that may interest you (bankruptcy, project finance, structured finance). If after the rotations you're not happy with your practice group, you can then move to Latham or other firms — people do that all the time. Can't speak to Latham culture but most groups at Milbank are very inclusive/diverse.

Don't take firm rankings too seriously; look at practice group rankings instead.