Anonymous User wrote:I'd love to hear more from you about the SF office. What were the other firms you were deciding between? It sounds like you were in the litigation group - what sorts of litigation did you get the chance to do over the summer? Did you have any experience with IP or securities? I've heard the latter can be a pretty tough group with respect to doc review. Do you feel like the office gives junior associates pretty early experience/opportunities? I'm a little worried that going to such a big firm I'd be likely to be caught in the cogs for a few years; for this reason I've been leaning more to Quinn Emanuel.
Thanks!
Class of 2011 summer associate here...
I was deciding between a handful of firms in SF and SV. The usual suspects (gibson, latham, wilson, orrick, quinn etc). I chose MoFo because I really liked everyone I met on my callback, the firm is in solid shape, there was strength in my practice area (this will not be true for everyone), and because I really do think there is something to be said for working at the flagship office of the oldest/largest/most well regarded firm in the bay area. I'm very happy with my choice.
I don't want to out myself, but suffice it to say that I was very happy with the quality of work I was assigned. I got to work closely with some surprisingly prominent people. If you want the work, and you're competent, the high quality work is there. There is a work coordinator who stands as a backstop but 90% of the assignments I worked on this summer were the result of associates or partners asking me or me asking them. There is a lot of freedom to pursue what you want. You are encouraged to do so. My feeling is that this continued for junior associates. Of course they were probably biased in talking to me as a summer associate, but essentially every associate I talked too was happy with the firm and the kind of work opportunities they had. Its a big firm and a big office, but it doesn't feel that way. While they vary, most partners are accessible and friendly.
Regarding Quinn - they're a great firm. If you want to do hardcore lit, they would be a good option. I've heard that they are a bit of a sweatshop and that's why I went with MoFo. MoFo has a very strong lit practice but is not so singularly focused and intense as Quinn.
Anonymous User wrote:Working at MoFo over the summer, were you able to get a sense on how face-time affects the quality/amount of work associates are given? Did it seems like there was a lot of pressure to stay late at the office, or did the partners not care, just as long as the work was getting done?
As a summer, I was in at 8:30-8:45 every day and generally left after 6:00, sometimes, 8:00, one night 10:00. That was out of an abundance of caution on my part. Most associates do not roll in until 10:00+, though they do stay late and work weekends if busy. It is biglaw afterall. I did not get the feeling that partners were dicks about forcing people to show their face.
Anonymous User wrote:One additional question, MoFo summer above, if you end up seeing this:
Any idea at the burnout rate for mid-level associates? I've heard 1-2 stories (from folks not working at MoFo, but who I generally trust) that people are struggling to stay 2-3 years (due to poor quality of assignments rather than hours). Other folks I've talked to (particularly those who work there) seem to completely disagree and say that most of their class is still there come year 4-5 or so.
I'm very seriously considering MoFo over SullCrom NYC and Covington DC due to a desire to be in the Bay Area, and am trying to use any avenue I can to make sure I'm not screwing up.
This depends a lot on practice group. I know in corporate, the burn out rate is actually quite high. They're especially slammed and I think it shows in the attrition rate. I think that it's the opposite of what you've heard - its the hours, and not the quality of work. Again, speaking regarding corporate, I know that MoFo's been doing a number of high profile deals for Intel over the past year. That's not a low quality client.
It is much less for the practice group I spent most of my time in. The attrition rate is much lower. But again, this is biglaw. 50%+ of the class has generally burned out by year 4 everywhere you go.
If you want to be in the bay area, then go with MoFo. SullCrom NYC and Covington DC are some of the most prestigious offices around, and they'll give you amazing exit options, great experience, great job security, etc. But if you want to be in the bay, MoFo is your best bet. The firm is plenty prestigious (esp in SF, where its top dog), with great work, great exit options in the bay, and in very healthy shape. And honestly, picking the city where you want to live is more important then anything else. Who wants to spend 4-5 years somewhere they dislike? The bay area is, as I'm sure you're aware, the best place on earth. I'd also say that I know some people in V5 NYC firms and they lifestyle is MUCH different. I think any west coast firm is going to be significantly more relaxed and less demanding then a NYC V5 pressure cooker. This stuff might not seem important now as you choose your firm, but it will definitely matter when you start work.
As you can tell, I had a great experience. I really have very little negative to say.