Skadden Cristal Boy: An Alternate Account
We've received a correction of sorts to our earlier item, about a hard-partying summer associate at Skadden in New York. We have no way of verifying whether the original version or the new version of the story is correct, since neither came directly from the summer associate in question. But the latest version does come from a fellow Skadden / New York summer associate, so we're inclined to credit it.
In some ways it places the SA's conduct in a better light; in some ways, worse. Here you go:
1. Better: Contrary to the claim of "several bottles of Cristal," there was only ONE bottle of Cristal, plus "five other bottles -- standard bottle service at a club."Update: Apparently that "one bottle" was a magnum.
2. Worse: The total tab was not a "multi-hundred dollar bill," but a grand total of $3,000.
3. Neutral: Two confirmed details from the original account: the story is from this year, not a prior year (sometimes these tales get recycled); and no permanent associates or recruiting personnel were at the event ("an after-after party").
4. Jaw-dropping: In case you were wondering: YES, the firm paid the cool three-grand bill.
Skadden takes an early lead in the "Best Summer Program" sweepstakes. Party at Four Times Square!!!
(And not just 'cause all those Vogue hotties are in the house...)
Earlier: Summer Associate of the Day: 'Skadden Cristal Boy'
(37) Comments
David, Did you ever tell your readers why you left biglaw? If I understand, you were an associate at WLRK once.
I knew I should've accepted at Skadden instead of Moody, Strople, Kleople, Basilone & Higginbotham Inc.
Lat's odd career journey is explained in these profiles (Legal Times, New York Times):
http://www.law.com/jsp/dc/PubArticleDC.jsp?id=1161162315435
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/22/technology/22njCOVER.html?ex=1295586000&en=ff49fd3507b48a34&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
I cannot believe they paid that bill. Are they that desperate for new hires? Biglaw is a universe unto itself.
I can't believe they paid that bill. Are they that desperate for new hires? Biglaw is a universe unto itself.
I would gladly drink Old Milwaukee on the firm's dime if Skadden would hire me.
other bottles = three grey goose, one veuve
club = lotus
coke = at least an eight-ball (from what i could see)
other people there = [redacted]
Jason, you're an idiot.
Lotus, really? These kids must have been from out of town...
Welcome back L2L, I mean L3L!
I want to hear David's version of why he left WLRK.
I heard Ralbylove was there.
Loyola -- your last passing grade for the semester just come in? That's awesome!
Doesn't anyone drink PBR anymore?
When they bought the Crystal, did the bitches and n---s put away their pis-tals? Because Dirty won't be having that in this house.
4:45pm - I feel victimized by your comment. Prepare to lose your job.
This is typical of BigLaw excess...
we did this so many times last summer. we were encouraged to go out with our fellow summers for after-after-after parties all the time. and we took car service from one club to the next. and we always got reimbursed, even if there were no associates present.
excuse me if i'm behind the curve here, but after reading about lat's background from the times article, i was surprised to see he wrote all those, for lack of a better word, anti-gay articles while at harvard. isn't lat gay? has he ever (1) come out or (2) explained his articles from his harvard days?
Why do you think Lat's gay? Just cause he's interested in fashion and the like?
I repeat: Attention, 4:45. Beloved, I am currently in possession of your specie. There is no cause for you to be concerned.
Even more clarification on the Skadden "cristal" night:
1. It was a magnum of Cristal.
2. An associate told a summer that associates would be arriving, but to start a tab since the summers would get there first. Needless to say, no associates arrived. That is, as far as I know, the only reason this expense was reimbursed. The summer who was stuck with the tab did not do the outrageous ordering, but, from what I'm told, did not protest, either....
I can neither confirm nor deny that I was there. But I do loves me some Veuve.
why do i think lat is gay? aside from his love of fashion and rather feminine writing style, this picture got me thinking...
http://www.queerty.com/queer/2006_01_wonkteam.jpg
but really, regardless of his sexual preference (b/c i could care less), i'm surprised someone who could easily be mistaken as gay would write columns denouncing gays.
are you guys retarded? of course lat is gay.
In the context of a summer program that's easily costing skadden 7-10 mil, 3K for a few drinks at a club is a rounding error.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
this is why ivy league education means shit. this kid didnt even pass the bar and hes already the worst decision maker since bush
$3k to party with the B+Ts. You'd think they'd at least go somewhere worthwhile. Kids these days.
$3k to party with the B+Ts. You'd think they'd at least go somewhere worthwhile. Kids these days.
Kids these days. It's nothing unless hookers were involved. Sheesh!
If Lat is gay, we should date.
Are you people for real about Lat's sexual orientation? OF COURSE he's gay! In addition to the gay comments he makes on his blog, go to his Friendster profile. First, it has a picture of Lat shirtless, which is a telltale sign of a homo. Second, most of his male Friendster friends are gay (look at their profiles, which say that they're seeking relationships with men). He is unquestionably gay.
The NYT article about Lat doesn't make it seem like the articles Lat wrote about gays were homophobic. They appear to just reflect a very conservative worldview, which is not inconsistent with being gay.
6/1 9pm: Think Ted Haggard.
The club was not Lotus but Libation. Most other information, such as bottles ordered, is largely correct. The total is in the right ballpark -- I guess what matters is that it was a lot of money that Skadden agreed to reimburse. Not all of the summers partook of this wild evening but details have certainly made the rounds among the summer class in gossip.
Kirkland Chicago would never have paid for this. They have a $50/associate limit on lunches (including tax, tip, and cabfare), and summers have been told to not expect to expense any drinking that happens associate-free.
$50 per summer associate, that is.