Cali Law Firms?.. and Split the Summer? Forum

[novacuseville]

What are the top law firms in california? LA and San Fran?

Also, any current law students ever split a summer between two firms? How did you go abt doing this?

[270910]

Splitting is risky business. Some places, like Texas, have split summers as an institutional thing. Other times, people split between two offices of one firm, or between two markets they have interest in. The problem is that each firm you work for then likely sees only a 50% chance of your returning. In addition, some firms insist upon you being with them for a certain portion of the summer so it can be hard to schedule. It was a questionable idea in boom times, but would be very risky considering the rough economic climate now.

It's somewhat more common for 1Ls to split summers between, say, an agency and a judge, or something. Especially given the very slow way 1L recruiting works.

As for the top cali firms, poke around vault, chambers & partners / chambers & associate, etc. You can't just rank from one to infinity like you (more or less) can for law schools - firms have different cultures, specialties, sizes, etc. Sometimes the most prestigious and selective firms don't do as well in the big rankings because of their smaller practice area. A good example of a California firm that fits this description is Munger. About as selective/prestigious as they come, but with an amusingly mediocre ranking on the stupid vault prestige rankings.

[novacuseville]

That's very helpful. Thanks.