Hi
@AS24
It's completely alright that you're not able to attend open days - during my own applications, I think I only managed to attend one, as I was working full-time. You're also absolutely right that many firms work on similar deals, particularly in M&A. That said, there are still ways to differentiate between them, and below I've shared a few ideas to help you make more granular comparisons.
One thing to consider is the industries or sectors a firm's M&A work focuses on. For example, firms like
Cooley and Goodwin are especially known for advising on M&A deals in the tech and life sciences sectors. Other firms, like
Willkie, are more "sectorally agnostic," meaning they handle M&A work across a wide variety of industries. Which type of firm might suit you best depends on your own interests. Personally, I was drawn to firms that specialised in sectors I had a genuine passion for, but I’ve met others who preferred variety and, as a result, were more interested in firms that had strengths in a wider range of industries. A firm’s sectoral strengths can give you a good sense of how their M&A practice differs from others.
You could also focus on the different elements of M&A transactions. Some firms are particularly well-regarded for their expertise in areas like financing, advising on regulatory issues, or cross-border deals. For instance,
Freshfields is known for its strength in advisory work, particularly on antitrust and tax aspects of M&A, in addition to its corporate M&A work. Other firms stand out for their relationships and skills in structuring the financing side of deals. It really depends on what you’re most interested in, but thinking about these distinctions can help you see how a firm's M&A capabilities varies from those of another.
Finally, you could also consider the types of clients the firm is known for advising in M&A transactions. Taking
Cooley again as an example, they have a strong reputation for advising high-growth startups and venture capital clients, which sets them apart from firms that focus more on later-stage companies or multinational corporations. Some firms, meanwhile, work with clients throughout their business lifecycle. Understanding the firm's client base can give you a clearer picture of how their M&A practice stands out. You can often get a sense of this by researching recent deals and looking at Chambers and Legal 500 rankings.
I hope this helps and definitely let us know if you have any other questions!