Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise holds Band 1 Chambers rankings in private equity, white-collar criminal defense, and international arbitration -- a combination no other firm can match. The PE practice regularly advises the world's largest buyout funds on multi-billion-dollar transactions, while the white-collar team has defended Fortune 500 executives in the highest-profile government investigations. The international arbitration group handles complex cross-border disputes that read like geopolitical thrillers. With approximately 940 attorneys, Debevoise punches far above its weight, generating a staggering $4.8M in profits per partner.

Debevoise is consistently rated among the happiest BigLaw workplaces. The no-billable-requirement policy means the firm trusts you to do excellent work without micromanaging your hours. Associates report genuine mentorship from partners who remember their names, a collegial atmosphere where people actually like each other, and a free-market assignment system that lets you gravitate toward the work that excites you. Training is robust, with formal programs supplemented by real responsibility from day one. The summer class of roughly 88 associates enjoys one of the most generous and well-organized programs in BigLaw.

Debevoise conducts OCIs at over 25 law schools, typically staffed by partners and school alumni. The screener is a 20-minute conversation followed by a callback featuring meetings with 3 partners and 2 associates. Interviewers prioritize personality fit and intellectual curiosity over scripted answers -- come ready to have a genuine conversation about why Debevoise's unique combination of practices appeals to you. The firm especially values candidates who demonstrate they understand what makes Debevoise different from other elite New York firms. Show that you know about the PE-litigation crossover work and the firm's deliberate decision to stay midsized.