NYC Lawyers & Art of M&A - Those on Fishbowl Rank Paul, Weiss Tops

 The post on Fishbowl Big Law asks about the best firm in New York City for becoming proficient in the art of M&A. Of the 40 responses the voting leaned heavily to Paul, Weiss as the number-one. That beat out Latham, Gibson and Sidley. And while at P,W you could also gain unique experience in Private Equity.

That said, there was the usual grousing about the heavy-duty workload. One on Fishbowl described it as not ending once you reach your billing quota. The expectation is that, no, you won't just coast after making your numbers. You will continue to produce. 

However, as we know, that extreme work ethic is standard in all the top NYC law firms. Given that, at some point the game becomes binary: You can put in the long hours on a sustained basis and absorb the stress or you can't. If the latter you can go in-house or to government or even off the legal career path. If the former you can become moderately wealthy and maybe even famous. 

In coaching, I move the client to acknowledge what can be managed without damaging mental and physical health and what can't be. That's where I introduce the Serenity Meditation:

" ... grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time."


Big Law is a vocation and an oddball one. It requires total commitment.


Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).

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