Orange County OCI Forum

[desertlaw]

Are hours really less than they would be in LA or SF? I've heard they are about the same. Could you be more specific? I'm sure it will depend on practice group.

Depends on practice group, true. I should say that face-time seems much less important in OC than in other big cities, based on my conversations with friends in other cities doing Biglaw. Hours can still be bad when you're finishing a deal or close to a big litigation filing, but I think people are pretty humane/understanding if you need to have dinner with your kids or that you're offline for a few hours on a hike, as long as there isn't something super urgent that needs to get done.

[Anonymous User]

Biglaw OC attorney here and I understand the process. Happy to keep an eye on this thread and answer any questions. I think most firms here take a pretty fluid approach; they know the supply is limited so they will try to get good candidates before OCI if possible. But this also means that you shouldn't worry if you don't hear back right away on callback/offer. GDC has biggest class (12-15 is what I've heard), with O'MM and Latham being around 6-10. Then probably the next level down that has like 3-6 SA's (PH, JD, Snell). And then you have Knobbe but they are unique in their IP-ness.

As far as single life goes here, I think you'll have more free time at OC biglaw than LA/NYC/DC/SF to find someone, but obviously smaller city and less younger professionals. That said, I have plenty of single friends here that are doing well in terms of meeting people. Somewhat more leg-work because you can't step out of your office and have 20 bars to choose from in a 3-block radius like those other cities. But you can live at the beach and have a 15-minute commute, so that's a nice trade.

Noticeably different exit options for OC associates vs LA associates at same firm (e.g. GDC, Latham, etc.)?

[Anonymous User]

Biglaw OC attorney here and I understand the process. Happy to keep an eye on this thread and answer any questions. I think most firms here take a pretty fluid approach; they know the supply is limited so they will try to get good candidates before OCI if possible. But this also means that you shouldn't worry if you don't hear back right away on callback/offer. GDC has biggest class (12-15 is what I've heard), with O'MM and Latham being around 6-10. Then probably the next level down that has like 3-6 SA's (PH, JD, Snell). And then you have Knobbe but they are unique in their IP-ness.

As far as single life goes here, I think you'll have more free time at OC biglaw than LA/NYC/DC/SF to find someone, but obviously smaller city and less younger professionals. That said, I have plenty of single friends here that are doing well in terms of meeting people. Somewhat more leg-work because you can't step out of your office and have 20 bars to choose from in a 3-block radius like those other cities. But you can live at the beach and have a 15-minute commute, so that's a nice trade.

Noticeably different exit options for OC associates vs LA associates at same firm (e.g. GDC, Latham, etc.)?

Might depend on practice group and where you hope to go. A lot of in-house exit opps come from working with a client, so LA might open more doors to LA in-house. But if you're trying to go to a company in Seattle or Texas, I don't think it will make a difference.

[Anonymous User]

CB from Snell & Wilmer

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

I know of multiple cbs from Stradling.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

I know of multiple cbs from Stradling.

Snail mail ding from Rutan.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

I know of multiple cbs from Stradling.

Snail mail ding from Rutan.

Thanks. What school and when did you get it?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

I know of multiple cbs from Stradling.

Snail mail ding from Rutan.

Thanks. What school and when did you get it?

USC/UCLA. I got it sometime late last week, either Thursday or Friday, can't remember which.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything from Rutan & Tucker or Stradling?

I know of multiple cbs from Stradling.

Snail mail ding from Rutan.

Thanks. What school and when did you get it?

When was your screening with Rutan?

[Anonymous User]

When was your screening with Rutan?

August 7th. Still waiting to hear back.

[Anonymous User]

Have interviews next week and a half with Latham, GDC, Paul Hastings, and OMM. Hoping to do corporate.

What are cultural differences here? QOL?

[Anonymous User]

Any updates?

[Anonymous User]

Any updates?

OMM ding via email last Friday.

[Anonymous User]

Any updates out there from Stradling? I am post-CB waiting

[Anonymous User]

Anyone still waiting to hear from Sheppard OC post-screener? Haven't heard anything, going on 3 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

Snell & Wilmer post-CB ding

[Anonymous User]

Have interviews next week and a half with Latham, GDC, Paul Hastings, and OMM. Hoping to do corporate.

What are cultural differences here? QOL?

QOL for hours/lifestyle will probably be same at all of them because OC naturally draws people who are married and/or like to enjoy life outside the office, so you'll rarely see people at work past 7. Most people work from home in the evenings/weekends unless you are about to sign/close a deal.

Latham is top dog for transactional/corporate in OC, followed by Gibson/OMM and I would put PH on another rung below. Firm culture, YMMV, but will likely follow the reputations that you've already heard on TLS or at school: Gibson is friendly and fun, but people are less involved with their co-workers outside office. Latham is fratty and people hang out outside of work. OMM is quirky and has interesting people; PH is kind of bland or just normal and nice people.

[Anonymous User]

Any updates on PH or GDC? Waiting post CB...

[Anonymous User]

Any word on Dorsey & Whitney?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know much about Irell Newport?

[Anonymous User]

redacted

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

how are chapman students performing?

[Rahviveh]

how are chapman students performing?

Poorly. What's with the 0L's invading the SoCal threads?