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Anonymous User
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Anonymous User
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Re: Bay Area choices: Where to spend the summer?
I had a callback with Boies and liked the people I met. Of your choices, I would probably pick Boies. At Boies, given their smaller size and the way they staff cases, I think you will get earlier, more substantive responsibility which means that you will be in a better shape to lateral. Several young associates I talked to had written large portions of briefs by themselves.
There are a few things that may make you reluctant though: one is if you care about work-life balance (in so far that exists at biglaw). Boies pays above market, but they also work you NY hours (maybe even more than your typical NY firm) out of their Oakland office. When I visited, I was shocked at how many people visibly looked tired. All of them were drinking coffee during my callback. It may have been a particularly bad day, but from talking to people, I do not think this was abnormal.
And an associate, in fact, told me they've had a lot of turnover and that is sorta of a "boys club." There are no female partners. Also, there is the risk that as a firm if something happens to David Boies the firm's reputation and client base will go with him (and this is especially a worry for the Oakland satellite office). Then again, I think all of these things are not a huge issue for me. If you want to only spend a few years before going to government, none of these things seem like huge risks. Another thing to consider is in terms of the summer if you want a formal summer program (Boies does not). Boies office does a bunch of antitrust work so your practice area preferences may influence this decision as well.
I interviewed with the other two firms as well but do not have much to say about them. Mofo is the big Bay Area firm which gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of practice areas. I heard some people do not like the hierarchy and it is one of the more (relatively) formal BA firms. Can't say much about Paul Hastings.
There are a few things that may make you reluctant though: one is if you care about work-life balance (in so far that exists at biglaw). Boies pays above market, but they also work you NY hours (maybe even more than your typical NY firm) out of their Oakland office. When I visited, I was shocked at how many people visibly looked tired. All of them were drinking coffee during my callback. It may have been a particularly bad day, but from talking to people, I do not think this was abnormal.
And an associate, in fact, told me they've had a lot of turnover and that is sorta of a "boys club." There are no female partners. Also, there is the risk that as a firm if something happens to David Boies the firm's reputation and client base will go with him (and this is especially a worry for the Oakland satellite office). Then again, I think all of these things are not a huge issue for me. If you want to only spend a few years before going to government, none of these things seem like huge risks. Another thing to consider is in terms of the summer if you want a formal summer program (Boies does not). Boies office does a bunch of antitrust work so your practice area preferences may influence this decision as well.
I interviewed with the other two firms as well but do not have much to say about them. Mofo is the big Bay Area firm which gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of practice areas. I heard some people do not like the hierarchy and it is one of the more (relatively) formal BA firms. Can't say much about Paul Hastings.
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Anonymous User
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Re: Bay Area choices: Where to spend the summer?
Everyone I know at all three of those firms (Bay Area offices) seems...overworked. You could even say "miserable." But at least at Boies they pay you very well, and MoFo is if course one of the bigger practices in SF.
I see no reason to pick Paul Hastings. I'd say it's either BSF or MoFo, and personally I'd pick Boies in a second, but it's a unique place and certainty not for everyone. You'll work your ass off, but you'll get insane responsibility and probably will have attractive lateral options very early in your career.
I see no reason to pick Paul Hastings. I'd say it's either BSF or MoFo, and personally I'd pick Boies in a second, but it's a unique place and certainty not for everyone. You'll work your ass off, but you'll get insane responsibility and probably will have attractive lateral options very early in your career.
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