The BigLaw Bear Library
Everything you need to navigate BigLaw recruiting: guides, data, and firm intel.
Firm Guides: 45 articles
Vault 2024 vs. Vault 2025: What Actually Changed in the Law Firm Rankings
The 2024 and 2025 Vault Law 100 rankings looked stable at the very top, but the movement underneath still tells students something about reputation, practice strength, and interview research.
4 min read
What Is the Vault Law 100? A Student Guide to the Ranking Everyone Quotes
Vault is a prestige survey, not a measure of whether a firm is right for you. Here is what the Vault Law 100 measures, what it misses, and how to use it.
4 min read
What Is a Platform Firm?
You'll hear this term during recruiting. Here's what it actually means.
2 min read
What Firms Look for on a Transcript
It's not just the GPA. Here's what screeners actually notice.
2 min read
What Do Law Firms Actually Look for When Hiring?
It's not just grades. Here's what BigLaw hiring committees actually evaluate, and what you can control.
4 min read
Vault vs. Chambers: Which to Trust?
Two ranking systems, different methodologies, different answers. Here's how to use each.
3 min read
What Do V10, V20, V50 Actually Mean?
You keep seeing these abbreviations. Here's what Vault rankings are and why people care.
2 min read
What Are the Different Types of BigLaw Firms?
Not all BigLaw firms are the same. Here's a quick guide to the main categories and what makes each one different.
3 min read
How to Tell BigLaw Firms Apart
They all have the same salary and the same website template. Here's what's actually different.
3 min read
How to Research a Firm Beyond the Website
Firm websites are marketing. Here's where to find the real information about a BigLaw firm.
2 min read
Regional BigLaw vs. NYC BigLaw
New York isn't the only place to have a BigLaw career. Here's what the trade-offs look like.
3 min read
How Does Pass/Fail Affect BigLaw Recruiting?
Thinking about taking a class pass/fail? Here's what firms actually think.
2 min read
NYC BigLaw vs. DC BigLaw
Two cities, two cultures, two very different BigLaw experiences.
3 min read
Is a Midsize Firm Better Than BigLaw?
Smaller firms, earlier responsibility, less pay. Here's an honest comparison of what you gain and lose.
3 min read
From Law School to BigLaw: The Complete Roadmap
Everything you need to know about getting into BigLaw, from 1L orientation through your first year as an associate. The definitive guide.
6 min read
V100 vs. AmLaw 200: What Do Law Firm Rankings Actually Mean?
Vault, AmLaw, Chambers, law students throw these terms around constantly. But what do they actually measure, and which one should you care about?
6 min read
How to Research a Law Firm Before Your Interview
Good firm research is the difference between a generic interview and a callback. Here's exactly where to look and what to look for.
3 min read
How to Actually Figure Out the Differences Between 100 BigLaw Firms
They all pay $225K. They all have offices in New York. They all say they have a 'collegial culture.' So how do you actually tell them apart? Here are the factors that matter, ranked.
14 min read
How Accurate Are Glassdoor Reviews for BigLaw?
Some reviews are spot-on. Others are written by someone who got fired. Here's how to read them.
2 min read
Williams & Connolly: What Law Students Should Know
A single-office trial boutique that consistently ranks alongside firms ten times its size. Here's what Williams & Connolly actually looks like.
5 min read
White & Case: What Law Students Should Know
The most globally distributed American law firm, with more international offices than any competitor. Here's what White & Case actually looks like.
5 min read
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz: What Law Students Should Know
One office. No billable hour requirement. A bonus that matches your entire base salary. Wachtell is not like other BigLaw firms.
4 min read
Weil, Gotshal & Manges: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that thrives when the economy does not. Weil wrote the book on restructuring and built an empire around it.
5 min read
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that invented the hostile takeover defense now runs one of the broadest platforms in BigLaw. Here's what Skadden actually looks like from the inside.
5 min read
Sullivan & Cromwell: What Law Students Should Know
One of the last true white-shoe firms, and one of the smallest at the top of the Vault rankings. Here's what Sullivan & Cromwell actually looks like.
4 min read
Sidley Austin: What Law Students Should Know
The broadest platform in BigLaw, with top practices in everything from M&A to FDA regulatory. Here's what Sidley actually looks like.
4 min read
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett: What Law Students Should Know
The original private equity law firm, with relationships to the biggest funds in the world. Here's what Simpson Thacher looks like from the inside.
4 min read
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan: What Law Students Should Know
The only major firm in the world that does nothing but litigation. No deals. No documents. Just fights. Here's what Quinn Emanuel looks like.
5 min read
Ropes & Gray: What Law Students Should Know
A Boston institution that became a national PE and life sciences powerhouse without losing its New England character. Here's what Ropes & Gray looks like.
5 min read
Paul Hastings: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that quietly became one of the most profitable in the Am Law 100, powered by leveraged finance and a relentless growth strategy.
5 min read
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that argues the biggest cases and does the biggest deals, often at the same time. Here's what Paul Weiss actually looks like.
5 min read
Milbank LLP: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that finances the deals everyone else advises on. Milbank wrote the playbook on leveraged finance, and it is still the one to beat.
5 min read
Kirkland & Ellis: What Law Students Should Know
Kirkland is the private equity firm that happens to have a law license. Here's what that means for your career.
5 min read
Latham & Watkins: What Law Students Should Know
The largest law firm in the world by revenue did not get there by accident. Here's what Latham actually looks like from the inside.
5 min read
Davis Polk & Wardwell: What Law Students Should Know
The undisputed king of capital markets and one of the most selective firms in BigLaw. Here's what Davis Polk actually looks like.
4 min read
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher: What Law Students Should Know
The litigation firm that built a world-class corporate practice without losing its trial DNA. Here's what Gibson Dunn actually looks like.
5 min read
Cravath, Swaine & Moore: What Law Students Should Know
The firm that sets the salary scale for every other BigLaw firm. Here's what Cravath actually looks like from the inside.
4 min read
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton: What Law Students Should Know
The most international American law firm, with a rotation system, lockstep pay, and a client list heavy on sovereign nations. Here's what Cleary looks like.
5 min read
Covington & Burling: What Law Students Should Know
The firm where regulatory law meets elite corporate practice, built in the shadow of the Capitol. Here's what Covington actually looks like.
5 min read
How to Evaluate Firm Culture
Everyone says they have great culture. Here's how to figure out who's telling the truth.
3 min read
Does Firm Size Matter?
500 lawyers vs. 3,000 lawyers, does it change your experience?
2 min read
What Is the Difference Between BigLaw and Midsize Firms?
BigLaw isn't the only path. Here's how midsize firms actually compare on pay, hours, work quality, and exit options.
3 min read
BigLaw vs Tech vs Finance vs Consulting Pay
Your friends in tech, banking, and consulting love comparing comp. Here's how BigLaw actually stacks up.
3 min read
What Is a BigLaw Market and Why Does It Matter?
Not every city has the same BigLaw opportunities. Here's how the major legal markets compare and why your choice of market matters.
3 min read
What Happens to BigLaw During a Recession?
Layoffs, deferred starts, and smaller classes. Here's what historically happens to BigLaw when the economy dips.
2 min read