SV/SF law firms do not like to hire older people? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I want to stay away from the discrimination talk here.

There are a bunch of articles that point out that a lot of IT companies in SV/SF do not hire older people (age +40). Do law firms in SF/SV also have that sentiment towards (pretty) older applicants?

[rpupkin]

I want to stay away from the discrimination talk here.

There are a bunch of articles that point out that a lot of IT companies in SV/SF do not hire older people (age +40). Do law firms in SF/SV also have that sentiment towards (pretty) older applicants?

My sense is that you find more older junior associates in SF/SV than in NYC or DC.

[SFSpartan]

No. Having relevant business experience is super helpful in an emerging companies practice, and for ancillary practices such as tech trans. Teams tend to be pretty lean, and clients are relatively cost sensitive, so it helps to have someone that doesn't need to figure out the business side of things. Relevant experience is also helpful (and advanced degrees are often required) for patent pros and lit work.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I want to stay away from the discrimination talk here.

There are a bunch of articles that point out that a lot of IT companies in SV/SF do not hire older people (age +40). Do law firms in SF/SV also have that sentiment towards (pretty) older applicants?

My sense is that you find more older junior associates in SF/SV than in NYC or DC.

Now that you mention it, I have seen the same -- think it might have to do with the value placed on prior academic and work experience in tech? Most of the associates I have encountered with PhDs etc have been in SV.

[dabigchina]

Are you sure it's not just because of the legions of IP attorneys in the area?

fwiw I have encountered the same. It might also have to do with how picky the market is in general.

[rpupkin]

Are you sure it's not just because of the legions of IP attorneys in the area?

I think that's one of the reasons. Probably the main reason.

Another possible factor: the Bay Area is more family friendly than NYC, so it attracts more associates with spouses/kids.

[anon3030]

I'm older, non-IP, and was hired for Bay Area office.

I am attracted because it is family friendly, and I think the office was attracted to me because it is leaner and seem to value my work experience.

[Anonymous User]

They trend older, if for no other reason than lots of people go to law school and do some sort of IP-related practice after aging out of these same tech jobs.