If you’re interested in transactional, it absolutely wouldn’t be dumb to choose Sidley if you really felt like you liked it more. That being said, if there’s any part of you that thinks you might do litigation, you can’t do much better than PW in NYC. Also, if you’re looking to stay in NYC long-term, PW has a much more established “brand” in the city, for whatever that’s worth down the road in terms of exit options.
I very strongly disagree with the first sentence. FWIW, not at either firm but am in corporate group of V5. It would be a mistake to choose Sidley NY over PW for either corporate or litigation. Tbh I think it would be a mistake to choose even their Chicago office over PW for corporate (assuming agnostic about location). I havent seen Sidley NY on a deal (neither my own deals nor as counsel on the deals that are announced internally). Sidley’s NY office is an outpost. PW corporate is objectively stronger here in NY. Sponsor-side M&A and all the work (e.g., securities offerings, debt finance, restructuring etc) that spins off of that has really strengthened their corporate side (even before Barshay moved there). Their litigation is better here too. I can’t think of a substantive reason to choose Sidley.
Never worked with him myself, but I have never once heard anyone say anything other than that he is a giant a-hole to his associates and even his partners. Screaming, belittling, mocking, etc. Also totally full of himself, but that is of course a common trait among rainmakers.
Also have never worked with him but have friends who did before he moved to PW. Generally heard same as above. Goes beyond demanding constant availability (which is frankly common fare for any M&A deal of that intensity).