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Hey there,

I've been interviewing pretty extensively with SV firms, and I'm trying to get a lay of the land. From what I can tell, there are 3 types of firms in the area:

1. WSGR/Cooley-ish firms: More indigenous, SV-style firms that focus on start-up VC work

2. More national, big-law firms like Gibson, Latham, and Jones day: They seem to focus on some of the bigger fish like Hp, Intell, Google... These often have smaller offices around 40 (Latham has just under 100 though).

3. The NY firms like Davis Polk and Simpson that focus on NY style M&A and capital markets.

I have two questions. First, am i characterizing these firm types correctly? Any other insight into SV firms?

Second, I would love to hear thoughts on the "national" firm category. Not knowing exactly what i want to do, i've found that these firms have a large variety of practice areas and generally carry more name recognition. Any ideas what the pluses and minuses are of working at a smaller Gibson/Latham/Jones/Mofo in SV, as opposed to a larger office? How about exit opportunities?

Your catergories are essentially correct though jones day is a joke in the valley.

Regarding your second question, it depends what you want. Gibson sv is going to be much different then Gibson la or Gibson NYC. It will be smaller and more provincial.

Personally, for that reason, if I had options I'd either go with the indengineous valley heavy hitters (Wilson, fenwick, Cooley) and concentrate on what they do vest (VC, emerging companies) or the NYC firms (and basically have a NYC style practice).

I'm sure the Gibson/lathams/mofos do interesting and quality work, but it will almost definitely not be the most exciting stuff in the valley.

There are also some SV offices of GP firms that are mostly, if not only, IP. IE Dechert.