15 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content:

  • Lazard:

    • Recent Challenges: Lazard has experienced a dip in their RX (restructuring) segment, exits, deal flow, and has seen a loss in MDs, particularly in the A&D team.
    • Historical Prestige: Despite recent challenges, Lazard still holds significant historical prestige and is considered more prestigious outside of finance.
    • Deal Flow and Exits: The interactive media side has good deal flow, but the A&D side has been impacted by the departure of senior members. Exits from Lazard NYC have included top firms like AEA, Carlyle, Centerbridge, Cerberus, Golden Gate, and others.
  • PWP (Perella Weinberg Partners):

    • Culture and Exits: PWP is known for having a great culture, but their exits are not yet up to the standard of Lazard or Moelis.
    • Growth: PWP is on the rise but still developing in terms of exit opportunities.
  • Guggenheim:

    • Not Specifically Mentioned: Guggenheim is not specifically detailed in the provided context, so no direct comparison can be made.

Decision Factors: - Prestige vs. Current Performance: Lazard's historical prestige is significant, but recent performance issues in RX and deal flow might be a concern. - Culture and Growth: PWP offers a strong culture and is growing, but may not yet match Lazard's exit opportunities. - Specific Preferences: Consider what is more important for your career goals—prestige, current deal flow, culture, or exit opportunities.

Ultimately, the decision should weigh Lazard's historical prestige and strong exits against PWP's growing reputation and culture. If Guggenheim is a consideration, further specific details would be needed to make a comprehensive comparison.

Sources: PWP LA, Lazard LA, and Houlihan LA (RX), NY Lazard vs PWP (SA 2024), (urgent) if you had to choose 1 for NY office: LAZ, PWP, or MOE?, Request for Restructuring League Tables 2018, Lazard vs. Greenhill vs. PWP NYC offers for 2021 SA

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
Most Helpful

Hot take. Gugg rx is better than both rn from a mandate quality perspective. At least recently they’ve been on much better debtor sides. Lazard is obviously falling off a bit and PWP has seemed to slow down as well. Exits still lazard/pwp

 

Lazard is falling both in M&A and RX in terms of deal flow/leauge tables. I would definitely take PWP because better experience there and exit differences are practically non-existent/splitting hairs. Gugg I would go either way depending on if your number 1 priority is exits or actual analyst experience. 

 
Controversial

Lol the Lazard slander on this site never fails to amaze me… Lazard has been at the top of M&A for 150+ years, and is a top tier institution by all accounts. PWP and Guggenheim are fantastic places as well, but anyone in the world of finance will tell you they don’t compare to Lazard (unless you are a 19 year old college sophomore of course)

 

Regardless of M&A or RX performance you’d be r*tarded to take PWP or GUG over LAZ unless it’s for culture reasons. Exits at LAZ are still top tier (especially for RX) and that won’t change for the next 4-5 years. LAZ is consistently up there with evercore for MF placement while GUG is basically nonexistent and PWP is nowhere near. Sure, if you want to be a career banker maybe Lazard isn’t the best option but for 99% of summers/FTs looking to go to PE it’s absolutely no question LAZ > PWP/GUG.

 

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