Career Center Survey Results: Top Partners to Work For – New York (Part 2)

Earlier this week, we introduced the first group of top New York partners whom our readers nominated as being great to work for. Today we present you with another eight partners from the Big Apple.

They hail from some of the heaviest hitters among Biglaw firms: Paul Weiss; Simpson Thacher; Kasowitz Benson; Cleary Gottlieb; Debevoise & Plimpton; Cravath; and Akin Gump.

Let’s learn who they are….

Andrew Ehrlich. You don’t meet many partners like Ehrlich, a Paul Weiss litigation partner. According to one associate: “Andrew is the most polite partner of all. He is hands on, but is not a micro-manager. And when he knows you are going crazy on other cases, he’ll do what he can to not overburden you with other work. He’s the type of guy who was probably up all night doing his work and dealing with his crying recent-newborn, and yet he’ll ask you how you are doing and how your cases are going. Definitely the best partner I’ve worked with, and somebody you want to do your best for.”

John Ericson. A Simpson Thacher corporate partner, Ericson received the highest ratings in all survey categories, and is described by one associate as “[j]ust legend.”

Daniel Fetterman. What makes Fetterman, a Kasowitz Benson litigation partner, “a fantastic partner to work for” is that “[h]e gives junior associates a great deal of responsibility and values their opinions.”

Lawrence B. Friedman. Friedman, a Cleary Gottlieb litigation partner, is a rare find. As one associate explains: “Larry is brilliant, organized, and has a great sense of humor. He is a sheer pit bull on cross-examination and he will artfully destroy a draft with surgeon-like precision. But although he can be harsh when dealing with the opposition, he could not be kinder to members of the team. He gives responsibility to younger associates and pushes them to think creatively.”

Sean Hecker. Associates want to work for Hecker, a Debevoise & Plimpton litigation partner, because “Sean has the rare ability to (a) give you as much responsibility as you can handle, (b) be as responsive to associate questions as he is to clients (which is very responsive), and (c) not micro-manage and make you feel like you are doing a stand-up job at all times (which makes you work even harder for him). He is also a lovely and funny person. Moreover, watching him with clients is a true sight to behold – clear, calm, humble and charming.”

Eric Hilfers. Hilfers, head of Cravath’s Executive Compensation and Benefits department, is simply “the best” for a whole slew of reasons: “He is younger than many of the partners we go up against, but he always has the winning arguments. Eric makes sure we know what we need to know for a negotiation, and then let’s us run with it. He is thoughtful and well reasoned, and looks out for his team. He is approachable on any issue at any time, and often comes to the associates’ offices to do work there with them. There simply isn’t any one in the executive compensation and benefits field who is better to work for.”

Aaron Marks. Marks, a Kasowitz Benson litigation partner, is not only “an extraordinary attorney,” but more importantly, he “always treats everyone with respect, rarely loses his cool or composure and, strangely, never seems to make mistakes.”

Prakash Mehta. As a corporate partner and co-leader of Akin Gump’s investment funds and private equity practices, Mehta “is truly exceptional.” Specifically, “[h]e knows the ins and outs of the investment funds industry and is one of the leading players in the field. The work quality he gives associates is great. He is very much of the mindset of ‘if you can handle it, do it,’ and gives junior associates high-quality work early on. He provides feedback all of the time. He is very respectful of associates’ schedules and looking out for their quality of life. He never ruins vacations, ensures associates are happy with their hours, and really cares for each associate. If somehow you are working on a weekend, he is working with you.”

Next week, we will highlight our final batch of top New York partners to work for. In the meantime, head over to the Career Center, sponsored by Lateral Link, to find out more about these and other prestigious law firms.