Skadden Sets the Pace for Start Dates and Salary Advances Instead of Stipends?

Class of 2010 graduates with offers in hand want to know when they’ll have firm-issued BlackBerrys in hand too. Last week, we had an open thread on start dates for 2010 graduates.

Shortly thereafter, we heard from Skadden-bound associates. They’ll be starting in the new year, and they’ll have some money to keep them afloat til then. But it’s money from their future earnings:

[Skadden] says “start date and orientation in mid-January 2011.” No stipend — just 15k salary advance — 5K in April, rest with receipt of final law school transcript. Repaid out of first year salary.
Honestly, I was hoping for more…

Skadden is a market leader. Does this mean stipends are no longer in fashion? Sorry, 3Ls, money for doing nothing is so 2009.
UPDATE: We’ve noticed some confusion in the comments. We’re not talking about the bar stipend; we’re talking about the deferral stipend for January start dates. If you look at our 2009 round-up, you’ll see that many firms offered a $5,000 – $25,000 “deferral stipend” along with January start dates. (Last year was a different ballgame, though, with deferrals taking incoming associates by surprise. This year, offering salary advances instead of stipends might not be unreasonable.)

What’s the policy at other firms? Some firms, such as Sidley Austin and Milbank, are reportedly still offering stipends. A round-up, and more chatter from Skadden-ites, after the jump.


Here’s talk from other Skadden-bound students. Perhaps the firm has shifted from stipends to salary advances because it’s not that excited about bringing the Class of 2010 in:

I’m a 3L with an offer from Skadden, and I talked to a Skadden associate the other day who noted that a lot of Sidebar people are going to start coming back pretty soon. He noted that a high percentage of those folks seem to be coming back, so Skadden may wait to get a feel for how many of them the firm will have to absorb before deciding when they can take on us new hires.

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Another future Skad is not counting on starting in January:

Those going to Skadden know they’ve been deferred to “at least” January 2011 but were told to prepare for a year. I know many were able to secure clerkships and other jobs since their lead time was so great so I’m not sure they won’t be able to absorb everyone in January 2011.

Many other firms are bringing in new hires as usual, though they are bringing in fewer hires than usual. Offers were not given out in abundance this year.

This is the information regarding start dates and stipends that we’ve gathered from emails and comments on our open thread. We’ve not independently verified this. If you have corrections or more information, please email us.

  • Alston & Bird – 01/2012

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  • Allen & Overy — October 4.
  • Boies, Schiller & Flexner – any day after the bar.
  • Baker Botts DC – Nov. 15
  • Cadwalader — September 27, 2010
  • Cleary — Much like last year, associates can choose between starting on September 13, October 18, November 15, or January 10. No deferrals, full salary, full clerkship bonus.
  • Debevoise – staggered start dates from Sept. – Jan. Option to take a fellowship and do public interest
  • Dechert (Philly) – October 2010.
  • DLA Piper (US) said that 1/2 of the 2010 class would start January 2011 and the other 1/2 would start January 2012, but no word yet on who will be in what 1/2…
  • Irell – “No deferral, no problems. Start any Monday after the bar.”
  • Jones Day – Oct 25, 2010
  • Latham & Watkins – Oct. 18
  • Linklaters – Sept 20
  • Milbank: Jan 2011 plus $10K stipend
  • Orrick — January 2012!!!!
  • Patterson Belknap – September 13
  • Paul Weiss (New York) – Sept 20, 2010.
  • Sidley (DC and Chicago) – Jan 3, 2011. “stipend and healthcare (no specifics yet) on top of the usual bar exam fees and barbri/kaplan course paid for”
  • Skadden – January 2011 (at the earliest).
  • Sullivan & Cromwell (New York) – Oct. 11, 2010. Not sure about the other offices.
  • WilmerHale (NY) – starting on time (September 2010); WH other offices starting in January 2011, with litigation associates given the option of a deferral until Sept 2011. $10k for the January deferral, $60k for the year-long deferral. No specific dates yet.

Earlier: Open Thread: When Do You Start Work, Class of 2010?