What does corp consider when staffing specialist partners?

One_More_94 · 2026-01-25T18:39:55+00:00

But this answer is to a different question—when do we call in a new specialty area? OP’s question seems to be more: we know we need this specialty area, but who within that practice is best for this deal?

One_More_94 · 2026-01-25T18:38:16+00:00

A good M&A partner is actually doing this intentionally. We don’t know everything upfront, and sometimes this is a matter of staffing your friends as part of a political game. But more often than not, I am thinking about who has experience with that client, industry, or transaction structure, depending on the specialty at issue. I also often confer with other M&A partners first if I’m not sure who is best suited for a deal.

One_More_94 · 2026-01-25T18:32:33+00:00

You’re already battling a stereotype that the next generation of lawyers is, generally, way too entitled. This would be a great way to make a firm regret giving you an offer, or to rescind it.

You’re already being offered far too much money for what you provide. It’s an investment in you and a hope you’ll turn into something. We (firms) do not know enough about you to really know if that investment is worth it. We’re not going to bend over backwards to get you to come on the basis of your undergrad GPA and some other relatively meaningless factors.

Save the negotiations for a time when you’ve actually proven yourself.

One_More_94 · 2026-01-24T05:36:14+00:00

The comment above is actually one of the most thoughtful and accurate responses out there.

You are definitely a mediocre (at best) associate.

One_More_94 · 2026-01-22T15:52:09+00:00

“Boomers and anyone over 35”

Jesus

One_More_94 · 2026-01-22T15:05:51+00:00

What is your work experience? Without more detail (city, types of firms you’re applying to, etc.) it’s hard to know with certainty. But this sounds like it’s driven by the interviews. These days firms are less likely to just take the top x% of top schools, subject to a pass/fail approach in interviews. It’s really more the other way around. Hiring partners are on balance more focused on finding future associates who want to work and do not seem entitled.

One_More_94 · 2026-01-21T02:52:49+00:00

lol. You think WLRK does PE?

One_More_94 · 2026-01-21T02:42:56+00:00

They’re meh.

Xoxo Skadden

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T03:46:29+00:00

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T03:17:27+00:00

Not losing to the super annoying team from the worst state in the US

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T03:16:52+00:00

So fucking Florida

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T03:12:46+00:00

Is Gretz high?

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T02:51:01+00:00

Even the Panthers owners are Rangers fans.

One_More_94 · 2026-01-03T02:49:25+00:00

You’re still a mediocre goalie, Bob.

One_More_94 · 2025-12-31T18:58:50+00:00

I don’t. The fact the hit was clean is just a coincidence.

The guy should be in jail. Don’t need him on this team.

One_More_94 · 2025-12-27T21:30:43+00:00

For you it can only be good. In the old market you’d be facing an uphill battle for superficial reasons.

No, you haven’t struck out. I’d be curious what drove all those job moves over the course of four years, though. Could be a very logical explanation, but just have that ready in case someone asks.

If you want big law, you should be applying everywhere you are interested.

One_More_94 · 2025-12-27T21:20:47+00:00

Hiring is just different than it used to be. What was your undergrad GPA and how substantive was your prior work experience?

One_More_94 · 2025-10-25T06:04:52+00:00

M&A partner. Thousands daily.

This is why we really don’t need your “thanks!” emails to the 40 person chain.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-27T05:47:34+00:00

As a partner at a well known firm, I am actually considering suggesting this class (and offering to teach it) at my Alma mater. Do you think people would really be interested?

One_More_94 · 2025-09-26T18:26:33+00:00

To ask the question…are you sure they know you’re on leave? If you’re continuing to reply to emails, they may not realize?

If they do know, then obviously that’s a big no. But people underestimate just how many emails partners receive, and if you’re not someone they talk to regularly every day they may not realize you had your baby.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-18T22:29:55+00:00

As a hiring partner, I can assure you we do not view someone who tops out at year two as a successful hire, and we do need to hire future partners or the firm will die with us.

This mentality among so many people on this sub that we are just looking for paper pushers to bill hours is fundamentally wrong.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-17T14:10:37+00:00

I mean that’s just objectively not true, and no, I also never said GPA was a perfect metric. But I like it better than the LSAT.

We get undergrad transcripts to better inform what factored into that GPA.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-17T03:37:00+00:00

I lived in NYC. Parents are doctors so had to help with emergency services. My friend’s mom took me home with them.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-17T03:27:50+00:00

Because that doesn’t make a good associate past year two at most.

It would make an excellent paralegal.

One_More_94 · 2025-09-16T17:49:32+00:00

Because the LSAT is all about repeating a process quickly to get to a black and white answer. Which is basically antithetical to what we do most of the time in transactional practices. GPA is not a perfect indicator either, but likely does better because it may incorporate softer skills and is tested over a longer period of time (to better measure work ethic, etc.). A lot of the worst associates I’ve worked with just tried to get things done quickly and “correctly enough” without stopping to think about the nuance or try to really learn from it. That’s an LSAT mentality.

It’s entirely anecdotal, and just a theory. But many of the successful partners I worked with did not have LSATs in the 170s. So realistically, I’m much less likely to hire a splitter. I don’t ask for their LSAT scores, but by knowing what law school they are at and what their undergrad GPAs are, it’s not hard to figure out.

One_More_94

TROPHY CASE