Fall Recruiting Open Thread: Vault 31 - 40 (2010)

As we roll through the next segment of the 2010 Vault rankings, we get into some firms that have been caught testing the stealth layoff waters. To refresh your memory, here is the next list of firms:

31. Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy
32. Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker
33. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
34. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson
35. Winston & Strawn
36. Allen & Overy
37. Willkie Farr & Gallagher
38. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
39. Baker Botts
40. Munger Tolles & Olson

Check out the big move by Munger. It’s up 11 spots on this year’s list. And let’s not forget about the firm’s #1 A-List ranking by Am Law earlier this year. Munger’s managed to do all of this without laying off a massive number of associates. Hopefully other Biglaw firms (and current 2Ls) will take note.
We know people have strong opinions about some of the firms on this list. Let’s get into them after the jump.


We all can’t work at Munger, and it is interesting to note that Baker Botts’s policy of not announcing the number of associates it lets go has not hurt the firm’s Vault standing. Baker Botts actually moved up two spots from last year.
Other firms were not as lucky. Fried Frank — who went through multiple rounds of stealth layoffs before coming clean with a round of public layoffs — dropped three places. Freshfields also took a significant drop.
At least those firms are still in the Vault top 40. We’ll have to catch up with firms like Orrick, Proskauer, and Cadwalader on a later thread.
But, as I wish Eli Manning would say, let’s stop worrying about the people who shot themselves in the leg and embrace those that are still able to compete.
This is your new Vault top 40.
Earlier: Vault Open Threads – 2010
The Am Law A-List Isn’t Kind to Laid Off Associates
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Fried Frank Public(!) Layoffs

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