Related Posts
Enthusiast
Bowl Leader
Bowl Leader
Additional Posts in Big Law
Mentor
Subject Expert
Coach
Kleinberg Kaplan thoughts anyone?
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Coach
Enthusiast
Subject Expert
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Mentor
if you want public m&a, go with DPW or PW of these. I'd lean DPW. Simpson is getting better at strategic work but still way more of a sponsor focus. Latham's not a good place for juniors and the free market system is very variable for if you even get pubco staffing. Plus the NY office is PE heavy
Mentor
Skadden is very good in public m&a but lot more internal politics etc on getting good staffings. But if you really like the culture/vibe, its usually a good fit. I would prefer to start at DPW but can't go wrong if you like skadden.
My only suggestion would be don’t necessarily follow the money. $50k is a lot now but not worth your long term happiness or job satisfaction
First: congratulations!!! Very solid mate! DPW is very well known for its public M&A practice. I would very much have hesitated had I’ve been offered DPW and Skadden. If I were you, I’d reach out to alumni from your school who had the same offers, and try to talk candidly with them. Idk if you have a network of senior folks, but try to speak with them if possible. Finally, follow your heart. You’d be at very prestigious institutions by landing at either of these. Try to find the good fit and the best culture.
Also, that might sound ridiculous to some, but if you’ve interviewed in person, you might have felt how it would be to work there every day. Don’t disregard that for a question of matters/clients. You’ll spend a shit ton amount of time at the office, and the better you feel within these walls, the more likely you’ll have an easier experience. Some perks are super important as well, so take all of that in consideration when accepting an offer. Again, working at either of these firms will give a strong start to your career so factor everything
Enthusiast
DPW or Skadden. Culture at Skadden is rough (and tbh DPW M&A is brutal) but DPW is best based on your goals
Working across DPW right now and find them to be completely insufferable
Subject Expert
Would someone share with me the meaning of “scholarship” in this context? Literally paying for a year of school or something else?
Coach
Ive never heard of these scholarships. Sounds amazing. Is it just for candidates with diverse characteristics?
Ehh—retake
Thank you all! What are your thoughts about the scholarships? They're 50K each, so for that reason I think i'm leaning more towards PW than DPW/Skadden
In that case go STB.
Curious, but if you want in-house within 4-5 years why exactly you want public M&A as opposed to PE? In house work at a large strategic that needs M&A mid levels is likely to be a similar to a PE sponsor work. And if you are looking to join a smaller public company, why would you want that as opposed to working inhouse at a PE portfolio company?
Tough to make a decision on super tight timelines with limited info. FWIW, I used to have the same opinion that public would be better for me but after dipping my toe in both pools I realized public can be worse in various ways. A firm with a closer to even split could be helpful so you can go either direction.
In 2010 I was a 1L who wanted to do bankruptcy law. In 2026 I have 11 years of antitrust under my belt. I hope you succeed in M&A but also be prepared to think “wow, I had no idea what I was talking about back then”
If you're staying in biglaw that short, you're probably not going to find a pure m&a in house role. Just to set expectations