Top Law Schools

Is it a bad idea to bid on two entirely different markets, i.e., LA and NY? I have strong ties to both (much stronger to NY than LA) and I am wondering if it is a bad idea to bid on both. Do the firms have any way of knowing if an applicant is doing that? I suppose if one was applying to a firm's NY and LA office they'd know, but what if one applies to only one of the firm's offices? Any advice would be appreciated.

No, you're fine as long as you can articulate your ties to both places. Don't mix then up though.