Acq/Dev at Lincoln

Based on the most helpful WSO content, Lincoln International is known for having a strong and supportive culture, particularly in its Chicago office. Here are some key insights:

1. Culture:

   • Lincoln emphasizes a "no asshole policy" and hires juniors who align with this ethos.
   • The culture is highly behavioral, focusing on "why Lincoln" during interviews rather than drilling technicals.
   • Senior bankers are known to be supportive, ensuring juniors maintain a reasonable work-life balance, even during demanding cross-border engagements.
   • HR actively monitors workloads to prevent overworking, and MDs are held accountable for excessive hours on their teams.
   • Juniors generally work 75-85 hours per week, with occasional spikes to 90+ hours, but Lincoln is not considered a "sweatshop."

2. Comradery and Leadership:

   • There is great camaraderie among junior bankers, and senior bankers go out of their way to build relationships with juniors.
   • Senior leadership is highly regarded, with many VPs and above having grown within the firm, which speaks to the positive environment and opportunities for advancement.

3. Growth and Deals:

   • Lincoln has been growing rapidly, adding new MDs and closing larger deals, including $1B+ transactions.
   • The culture is described as "scrappy," with everyone working hard to expand Lincoln's presence.

4. Compensation and Carry:

   • Specific details about VP-level compensation and carry were not mentioned in the context. However, given Lincoln's reputation for growth and its supportive culture, it’s likely competitive within the industry.

If you're concerned about bureaucracy, Lincoln's culture seems to prioritize relationships and personal growth, which might mitigate some of the challenges associated with larger organizations.

Sources: Lincoln Chicago Culture, Lincoln International 2021 thoughts?, "We don't hire VPs"