LA Biglaw Forum

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Latham/Gibson/OMM (both downtown and CC) as far as differences and stereotypes of firm culture?

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Latham/Gibson/OMM (both downtown and CC) as far as differences and stereotypes of firm culture?

.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Latham/Gibson/OMM (both downtown and CC) as far as differences and stereotypes of firm culture?

Gibson's CC office is tiny in comparison to their downtown office. Not sure how many SAs they have, but might be wise to target their downtown office (though CC is much nicer, IMO).

[KingFish]

Any thoughts on Latham/Gibson/OMM (both downtown and CC) as far as differences and stereotypes of firm culture?

Also does anyone have any insight as to grade cutoffs for these firms? Currently around top 10-20% at CCN.

c'mon, man

[KD35]

How much are you all paying for rent? And how far from your office are you?

[09042014]

Shit, do you guys even know where the closest bathroom is to your office is yet?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any info on Kirkland? They seem to go unmentioned when discussing LA

I thought they were super weird when I did my CB there a couple of years ago. One partner was in Opus Dei and ranted at me about how we now live in a culture of dependency and handouts. Associates seemed unhappy and uncomfortable. Didn't get an offer but wouldn't have taken it if I did.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on Paul hastings? Got bad vibes when I did my callback with them

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on tax at biglaw in LA? Who are the big players, how is the market, etc? Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on tax at biglaw in LA? Who are the big players, how is the market, etc? Thanks.

Also curious about this! If you happen to know anything about tax in California more generally, that'd be appreciated, too (though LA in particular).

[whsy]

OP here.

Current summer associate in LA biglaw. Also happy to answer questions.

To start, it doesn't seem like hours are less at my firm. I'm a summer and I've been called back to the office late at night, asked to come in on weekends, etc. We've been told that we are the busiest office of the firm (V5 with NYC hq). Associates are always here very late, if not all night.

Also, pay is the same: 160k + bonus for first years.

OP here: I know what firm this is and I think that this is somewhat abnormal. That office is particularly understaffed as compared to other LA biglaw offices.

That might be the case. There's definitely no shortage of work.

Were you an SA here?

I'd prefer not to state where I summered at, just for anonymity's sake. If you want to know, post here non-anonymously and I will pm you and tell you (if you do it fast enough, before another person responds, you can delete your post).

I'm curious what firm this is, can you PM me?

[Fiera]

Have you heard anything about Gibson Dunn and the other big lit firms based there in terms of culture, people, hours, face time, dress code, etc.?

Is it really that bad of an idea to live 20 mins away from the office? I know traffic can make that like 40, but the temptation of living right on the coast is pretty strong.

What about LA vs DC for lit? Do you have any opinions in comparing the two?

This is a great topic OP--LA isn't discussed enough. As a native Californian coming back here seems like a no-brainer, but I'm also really hoping the people will be better than what I hear about in NY and DC...

[sundance95]

Thoughts on Paul hastings? Got bad vibes when I did my callback with them

Fwiw, had terrible vibes from my cb with their sf office last year. Not sure how much one should read into that for la.

Edit: that was two years ago now, actually.

[PMan99]

I'm curious what firm this is, can you PM me?

I'm not the anon, but there's only two V5 firms in LA and I wouldn't call Skadden understaffed.

[Anonymous User]

Median at MVP with strong LA ties. I'm interested in Sheppard Mullin, Baker & Hostetler, hogan lovells, and Manatt but they don't come to our OCI. Does anyone know how selective these firms are?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know what kind of grades are needed from MVP for the Kirkland & Ellis LA office? TIA.

[ymmv]

Median at MVP with strong LA ties. I'm interested in Sheppard Mullin, Baker & Hostetler, Hogan Lovells, and Manatt but they don't come to our OCI. Does anyone know how selective these firms are?

Baker Hostetler LA is uber selective because they're tiny (31 people in the office); only 2 people in their summer class last year.
hogan lovells is even worse - only 21 people in the office and 2 summers last year.

[Anonymous User]

Current summer at Irell and happy to answer any questions. One thing a bit different (as with MTO) is that we do not have an office outside of California. As such, associates generally do not get in very early. Moreover, almost everyone is out by 6pm to have dinner with the family (and then works from home).

The summer program here is incredibly fun but very chill in terms of work. Obviously this will be totally different as an associate.

Anyways, happy to answer questions. Also had offers at MTO/GDC for those that have questions about fit, grades, etc.

[JVK]

Current summer at Irell and happy to answer any questions. One thing a bit different (as with MTO) is that we do not have an office outside of California. As such, associates generally do not get in very early. Moreover, almost everyone is out by 6pm to have dinner with the family (and then works from home).

The summer program here is incredibly fun but very chill in terms of work. Obviously this will be totally different as an associate.

Anyways, happy to answer questions. Also had offers at MTO/GDC for those that have questions about fit, grades, etc.

This is great, thank you! I'd like to ask a grades question, could you PM me about that?

[Anonymous User]

Current summer at Irell and happy to answer any questions. One thing a bit different (as with MTO) is that we do not have an office outside of California. As such, associates generally do not get in very early. Moreover, almost everyone is out by 6pm to have dinner with the family (and then works from home).

The summer program here is incredibly fun but very chill in terms of work. Obviously this will be totally different as an associate.

Anyways, happy to answer questions. Also had offers at MTO/GDC for those that have questions about fit, grades, etc.

I'm at MVP; anywhere from top 1/3 to top 1/4; very strong ties to CA. Are my grades competitive enough for Irrell/MTO/GDC?

[Anonymous User]

Current summer at Irell and happy to answer any questions. One thing a bit different (as with MTO) is that we do not have an office outside of California. As such, associates generally do not get in very early. Moreover, almost everyone is out by 6pm to have dinner with the family (and then works from home).

The summer program here is incredibly fun but very chill in terms of work. Obviously this will be totally different as an associate.

Anyways, happy to answer questions. Also had offers at MTO/GDC for those that have questions about fit, grades, etc.

I'm at MVP; anywhere from top 1/3 to top 1/4; very strong ties to CA. Are my grades competitive enough for Irrell/MTO/GDC?

My guess (assuming non-diverse): Zero shot at MTO. Slim shot at Irell, better if IP. Alright shot at GDC, though you will need to have a great personality.

[Anonymous User]

Median at MVP with strong LA ties. I'm interested in Sheppard Mullin, Baker & Hostetler, Hogan Lovells, and Manatt but they don't come to our OCI. Does anyone know how selective these firms are?

Baker Hostetler LA is uber selective because they're tiny (31 people in the office); only 2 people in their summer class last year.
Hogan Lovells is even worse - only 21 people in the office and 2 summers last year.

Oh no, thanks for the heads up! I guess hogan lovells in NY would be a better bet.

Any info on Sheppard Mullin, it's probably my top choice of LA firms right now.

[BenjarvusGreenEllis]

Tag

[ymmv]

Median at MVP with strong LA ties. I'm interested in Sheppard Mullin, Baker & Hostetler, Hogan Lovells, and Manatt but they don't come to our OCI. Does anyone know how selective these firms are?

Baker Hostetler LA is uber selective because they're tiny (31 people in the office); only 2 people in their summer class last year.
Hogan Lovells is even worse - only 21 people in the office and 2 summers last year.

Oh no, thanks for the heads up! I guess Hogan Lovells in NY would be a better bet.

Any info on Sheppard Mullin, it's probably my top choice of LA firms right now.

Sorry, Sheppard Mullin didn't attend OCI at my school last year, so I have no idea.

[Anonymous User]

any chance at top 25-30% for GB, latham, o'melveny or skadden?