Blackstone/Lazard Restructuring - Associate Hiring
I'm interested in getting a job as a restructuring associate at Blackstone or Lazard (although please feel free to share if you have info on Rothchilds, Houlihan, etc.).
By way of background I don't have an MBA, but did graduate summa cum laude in business economics from undergrad, and have a law degree (graduated in the top 10% of my class at Harvard Law School).
I've been working as a bankruptcy lawyer at one of the top firms in New York for the last two years and am wondering what how to go about getting an interview for a restructuring associate position (banking side) at Blackstone or Lazard.
I also have a very general idea of what the job entails on the banking side so if you can give me some perspective on this and on the interview process it would be much appreciated. Also, how far do you think my resume would carry me? I've heard that a law degree is looked upon very favorably in restructuring and one from Harvard should be interchangeable with an MBA. Do you agree?
Thanks in advance
Totally, I mean I'm not expert on law cross over, but at the PE shop I interned for, the top MD had his law degree from Yale (comparable to yours) & started in m&a law. I would guess alum would be a good first start. Go back to your career fair this Fall, you shouldn't have a problem. One thing I do know about Blackstone is that they love their junior people to have "pure pedigree" so top schools for undergrad & in your case law school(which you've got).
Here's the challenge: at the more senior levels you are absolutely correct that your JD + bankruptcy experience is immensely valuable in restructuring. However, at the associate level (banking) it is much less so. You are really going to have be convincing that you can do the work of a banking associate. In other words, that you know how to use excel, understand accounting, valuation, etc. and not just know how to draft a fee app. As far as getting an interview, the best way would be if you worked on any bankruptcies with the firms you mentioned and formed any relationships. Obviously you have to be delicate but by all means indicate that you are looking to make the switch and ask if they'd be willing to interview you. If not, then you'll have to do the same job search as everyone else, which is networking, sending out your resume, etc. If you really want to make the switch I wouldn't limit to only Lazard and BX since even though they may be the top firms, there just aren't that many associate slots. Consider Houlihan and Rothschild as you mentioned as well as Miller Buckfire, Perella Weinberg, Greenhill, etc. If you're good, you will always have the opportunity to trade up later in your career.
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