Spouse is a current V10 midlevel in M&A in NYC, but considering a switch into Tax.

Would Dallas or Houston be a better option for a biglaw career in tax? Thanks in advance.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Houston would be better (most of my LLM friends are in Houston because there were more jobs there). However, it’ll be difficult to transition from M&A to tax. Has your spouse considered transitioning at his/her current firm first so that it’ll make it easier to lateral tax to tax?

like

It’s basically the law equivalent of a senior gen surgery resident sliding into a senior ortho (or what have you) resident’s role. How much does one year of prior training help? And it begs the question of why she’s no longer a tax attorney, which firms will likely ask.

If she’s adamant about the move, then to your question about Dallas/Houston, it’s firm dependent, but Houston tends to focus more on renewable energy, which is a very different area of tax law than standard M&A/PE transactions. Austin now also has several major firms that are building their tax presences, so that another option as well if there’s any interest, and some firms treat their TX offices as one for tax staffing purposes.

like

I’m practice M&A in Houston and there are pros and cons of both Houston and Dallas. Some people love Houston but hate Dallas and vice versa. I’d recommend a trip to both cities first if you both can make time for that to experience them first hand.

Houston has more jobs and is a larger legal market so she may have better luck here. I also generally find that Houston is more open to outsiders (especially laterals from NYC as there a lot of ex-NYC attorneys here). Whereas, Dallas can be insular at times and tends to prefer hiring individuals that grew up in Texas and preferably in Dallas.

Houston big law work is primarily focused on you guessed it: energy, which includes traditional oil & gas or renewable energy (solar and wind) and related infrastructure and service companies that support them.

Dallas big law work varies a bit more in industry/sectors.

Some parts of both cities can be pretty rough areas that I would never recommend visiting under any circumstance. Dallas does a better job of hiding those areas and Houston has no zoning laws so it leads to some odd developments at times.

Overall, I agree with A1 that switching from M&A to Tax is quite the jump. I doubt she’d have any problems finding a job in M&A but Tax will be a challenge with zero tax experience.

like

Thanks! We’ve been to Dallas twice and had a blast on both occasions. Will be visiting Houston in a few weeks.

Spouse actually has one year of tax experience prior to M&A, so not starting from scratch and willing to take a year’s cut if necessary. Besides O&G, are there other areas which Houston is stronger in and vice versa for Dallas?

How do the total hours in Tax compare to M&A?

like

I’d counter the Houston being better for Dallas in tax. Been at 3 BL firms now—2 only had tax groups in Dallas (zero tax attys in Houston) and third had strong groups in both, but Dallas was bigger and more highly regarded. I think this is going to be firm dependent, but agree Houston largely focuses on energy whereas Dallas tends to have a more varied client base.

Tax generally has slightly lower hours than M&A but this is by no means a given. I would also say M&A as a mid level/junior often has at least some passive hours they can bill for (sig pages/attn to closing) whereas tax tends to only bill for active “thinking” work. Both have “thinking” work that is complex and mentally draining, but tax this is almost all we can bill for whereas M&A there is generally a decent amount of “passive” they are billing for at the junior/ mid associate level.

like

My understanding is that our tax team supports everyone; they are on other people’s deadlines and most of the time they are our bottlenecks. So I am not sure that tax in big law will be tons better than m&a, plus factor in the learning curve and that she will have to learn to live with the feeling that she does not know anything for MANY years before she starts feeling comfortable. How about trying to keep up with tax law changes?? 😭

like

Would second it takes a certain personality/mind set to be ok feeling “like you don’t know shit for ten years” as an early tax mentor once put it to me.

likefunny

Both are fine. It’s more about finding a great mentor and teacher.

Good tax lawyers can sit in one office and service clients anywhere. The key is being really good at the particular tax issues for the industries that the majority of the firm clients work in.

I grew up in Houston, work in Dallas, but use tax attorneys in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.

like

Agree with the other posters. You may get asked to take a class year cut because (A) M&A to Tax; and (B) Energy can be pretty technical if you aren’t accustomed to it (tax equity financing structures, electricity regulations, forced pooling of oil fields, etc.).

like

Not just O&G—Houston also is v strong in the renewables space.

like

That’s a big change. City preference will depend on what firm you target and what clients you want

like

Sounds like she went from Biglaw tax 1yr => biglaw M&A [x] years. If she’s willing to lateral “down” (e.g., V100), she might be able to spin it assuming a firm is looking for a junior tax associate. I would suspect firms would be willing to give credit for one year as tax, and maybe another year for the years as M&A. So I’d suspect maybe down to a 3rd year. This is assuming she has a really good story on the switch, and the switch back.

like

Why the switch to Tax?

Related Posts

I am looking for ideas on how to teach spelling in the classroom.

like

Anyone meet clients at home?

I'm an RIA, and my home office is much nicer than my office. Unfortunately it doesn't have a separate entrance and you have to walk through the living room/kitchen.

like

I've done so well in this new role within the company that they are hiring another person to assist with what I do. I've voiced to my boss that I'd like to manage this department and they indicated that this is the thought for the future. Now they are asking me to train this person while I have my plate full. Is it wrong for me to expect either a promotion or to be paid to train this person?

like

Can you get MBA tuition reimbursement if you’re a Digital Strategy Analyst? Or, do you need to be baptized as a pure Strategy Analyst?

smart

This is basically just the coronavirus work bowl

like

Recruitment or solutions engineering what would you say is a better career? I have experience in both fields and enjoy them both as well but I cant decide what I want to continue with. I 'm worried about job hopping so want to make an informed decision. For more context, I'm motivated by earning potential and being able to grow into leadership role. Hope this network can help.

like

Anyone know anything about Marsh Strategic Risk Consulting?

likehelpful

Really struggling to decide whether we should have a third child. Any advice from those that have made this decision?

like

I would like to post here without my name. How do I do that?

like
like

Hi fishes, I have offers from UKG and Snap on Business solutions. Ukg is offering _16.8 CTC and Snap on is ready to give - 18 Which organization should i join? I am more inclined towards UKG as it is a product based and wlb seems better.
YoE- 3yrs
Tech - Java Springboot sql
UKG Infosys Tata Consultancy Accenture

like

How's everyone doing? I was on social media today and reading about the Adam Toledo video and it took me back to last June, which on top of the pain from seeing this racist system continue to win out, June was my lowest billing month and hurt my confidence about hitting hours compared to my white peers.

How are other people dealing with 1) trauma of another racist murder by cops and 2) impact on work? I am not black, so my pain does not compare but I can't act like things are fine either...

like

Hello Fishies I'm a lateral higher in TCS right on C3B level I want to ask couple of questions regarding WINGS program, so there are four types of WINGS Programme, WINGS 1, 2, 3, 4 I want to know about whether I can directly enrolled myself to wings four or wings three, As I have not enrolled myself ever in wings 1 or wings 2 , Is this case should be could be feasible if yes then what is the procedure ?

smart

Any insights into the Canada renewable energy market? Seeking to make a transition from US & Latam markets

like

Any F below 25 for Date ?

funny
like

I’m looking for a goal setting journal instead of a planner this year and I’d like to support a minority owned business. Do you have any suggestions of where I should look??

like

Who can do a referral into Deloitte US? Please DM me and we can discuss

like

Best branding agencies in LA?

like

Bain & Company Any advice on how to increase my chances of getting a full time offer after my intership? I start in two months. Recruiters told me more than 90% of interns get confirmed, so how do I make sure I don’t end up in the 10% that doesn’t?
Bain & Company

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Any thoughts on Orrick LA culture?

like

Any NY employee benefits and executive compensation folks with 1-3 yrs of experience interested in lateraling to my market v40 firm? Deal experience preferred. DM me and we can talk

like

The general trend at my firm has been that most folks start work around 10 am. Even when going into the office, most arrive close that 10 am mark. Is this how it is with you? Or is this more of a NY thing?

like

Any Antitrust Associates looking for a step up in pay/opportunities/brand? Market is insane for Antitrust M+A/merger review. I am working with multiple elite firms on filling positions. DM me.

like

What’s the earliest one can get a decent offer in house? Say you’re a first year. Asking for a friend…

like

Gen Z is (objectively) delusional but would call that gaslighting. Amirite

likefunny

Anyone know anything about Frankfurt Kurnit Trademark and Branding Group??? Considering a lowball offer but would like to know about office vibes...thanks in advance!!!

like

Does it actually make you more competitive as an applicant to have multiple bar admissions in surrounding states? Wondering if it’s worth waiving into other jurisdictions.

like

I'd rather not hear from employers instead of getting my in box cluttered with you suck emails 😂

like

How is the capital markets group at Kirkland?

like

If biglaw makes so much money, why dont most partners retire at like 50?

like

Does anyone know if there is a service out there that is essentially tutors for junior associates? I feel like there’s so much I don’t know and I have imposter syndrome and it would be really helpful to have a tutor or advisor to speak to about technicalities/process. Does such a service exist?

like

No hate please. How do you handle the conversation with partners about depression becoming a problem and/or intervening with your performance at work? I have days where I operate at 300% and others where I struggle to even brush my teeth in the morning. And yes, I am on medication.

like

Do FAANGs prefer you have tech experience or does having a deal list with a bunch of Fortune 100 companies make you marketable enough? I have the latter but not the former. Happy at my firm, though it doesn’t do a lot of tech work.

like

My partner lateraled as a senior associate (now a 7th year) and hasn't yet received clear direction on ascension to partnership. Curious what your firms have told you about pathways to partnership? Are you eligible to be made partner as a 9th year? What factors go into consideration? Are you expected to generate business before you achieve partner? How much?

like

Started at a new big law firm almost five months ago. Had to ask the partner I report to for more work today for the first time since I started. I feel like a failure. Is this a normal scenario?

Those that left in-house to go back to big law, why’d you leave? Do you regret it? Did you lose your WLB when you went back?

like

When it’s slow, do mid levels and seniors start hoarding the work? Feel like all our juniors are looking for work, and the upper levels say they’re slow but looking at office pace someone is lying.

like

Does anyone have insight into the work-life balance at Eversheds' tax practice? I'm preparing for an interview in the next few days, and I don't have any colleagues there.

like

Anybody here know starting salary for a second year attorney at Ogletree Deakins and/or Fisher Phillips in their LA or SF offices?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal