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Looking at V5-25 in the Bay Area/LA (Kirkland, Latham, Gibson Dunn). Hard to compare one's self with our grading system. Thoughts?

I had pretty similar grades. If your experience is anything like mine (assuming similar soft factors), you will do pretty well bidding V5-25 in the Bay Area and LA. You will do better in LA than SF, just because LA is an easier market to bid on (SF is an insanely competitive market). Your grades definitely won't close any doors at top Bay Area firms like Kirkland, Latham, Gibson Dunn, etc. That being said, whether you get an offer will depend almost entirely on how you interview. Kirkland and GDC are gong to want outgoing, personable, sharp/smart applicants. Latham is going to want chill, fratty (but still intelligent) applicants. This is their general reputation and is definitely reflected in their summer classes.

Regarding our grading system, most employers have a system to understand what the grades mean. Don't worry about it... you're at the top of the class and firms will know that.

I think you have a very solid shot at those firms. I would be surprised if you didn't get an offer from one of them. Some of the SF boutique firms might be a stretch, but the Vault firms should be very much within reach.