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Currently summering at a Silicon Valley firm (Wilson/Cooley/Fenwick). Corporate, T14.

Worked on Securities, venture financings, M&A, exec comp, and pro bono non-profit formations.

Taking questions about OCI, summer experience, and Oxford commas. Can tell you about what worked or didn't at OCI, what pissed people off about fellow summers, or anything else.

do you go to S/B and if not, how long before you heard about a callback?

Anonymous User wrote:do you go to S/B and if not, how long before you heard about a callback?

No, I do not goto S/B. Receives CB 2 or 3 days later.

When are you all taking laterals again in VC stuff?

Anonymous User wrote:When are you all taking laterals again in VC stuff?

I dunno. I should clarify that I am currently a summer associate. Not an associate yet. LOL.

about how much of your work is v-cap?

Anonymous User wrote:about how much of your work is v-cap?

Maybe 1/4 but I could have done more if I wanted to. I wanted to try a taste of everything. Did a couple angel rounds, a Series B, and a Series D. For Series B, I was involved from the beginning when term sheets were rolling in and partner was advising client on how to negotiate the field. Partner let me sit in on all emails and conf calls that occurred all hours of the night or on weekends. (That was my choice to participate.) I drafted the first round of the purchase agreements, restated certificate and related docs and consents.

How expensive is it there? I always picture Cali as super expensive. Is it worse than NYC? The tax rate is pretty high out there, right?

unc0mm0n1 wrote:How expensive is it there? I always picture Cali as super expensive. Is it worse than NYC? The tax rate is pretty high out there, right?

Obviously not OP but I just want to point out that NYC has a higher tax rate then Cali because there is no municipal income tax in California.

RELIC wrote:

unc0mm0n1 wrote:How expensive is it there? I always picture Cali as super expensive. Is it worse than NYC? The tax rate is pretty high out there, right?

Obviously not OP but I just want to point out that NYC has a higher tax rate then Cali because there is no municipal income tax in California.

Are you sure? This sounds wrong.

Not sure if accurate but I found this.

http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2013 ... n-america/

unc0mm0n1 wrote:

RELIC wrote:

unc0mm0n1 wrote:How expensive is it there? I always picture Cali as super expensive. Is it worse than NYC? The tax rate is pretty high out there, right?

Obviously not OP but I just want to point out that NYC has a higher tax rate then Cali because there is no municipal income tax in California.

Are you sure? This sounds wrong.

Yeah I am but I will break it down for you. Your AGI will probably be less than 160k if you have deductions but it will work for comparison sake here. Federal taxes will be the same in both places so I won't break that down.

NYC Associate
AGI: $160,000
NYC Municipal Tax $5,718.80
Source: (http://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms ... hedule.pdf)
NY State Tax $9,706.00
Source: (http://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms ... hedule.pdf)

Total Non-Federal Income Tax: $15,424.8

California Associate - 2012
AGI: $160,000
California State Tax $12,248.39
Source: (https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2012_calif ... ions.shtml)
Total Non-Federal Income Tax: $12,248.39

California Associate - 2013 and beyond
AGI: $160,000
California State Tax $13,731.54
Source: (http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/13methb.pdf)
Total Non-Federal Income Tax: $13,731.54

I have a couple callbacks at non-SV outposts of the SV firms you mentioned. Any callback advice? Like you, I'm interested in corporate work.

Anonymous User wrote:I have a couple callbacks at non-SV outposts of the SV firms you mentioned. Any callback advice? Like you, I'm interested in corporate work.

Weave your ties to the area into your story but do it subtly. Ask about cross office staffing on projects. Ask questions about the firms commitment to the satellite office. Demonstrate enthusiasm!!!! I can't stress that enough. Some folks are already doing CBs and I was chatting with associate interviewers about them. Enthusiasm is a big deal.

unc0mm0n1 wrote:How expensive is it there? I always picture Cali as super expensive. Is it worse than NYC? The tax rate is pretty high out there, right?

Expensive but if you live and work in Silicon Valley there are more options for housing.

Where do you live and what do you do for fun? I love the Peninsula but until you have a family and settle down it seems like it would be super boring -- that's probably my biggest fear about working in SV as opposed to the city or LA.

Fun is where your friends are and network are. I could have fun living in Oklahoma if that was where my "crew" was. I could have a terrible time living in NY or LA or any other big city in the world if I didn't have a good support group.

Yukos wrote:Where do you live and what do you do for fun? I love the Peninsula but until you have a family and settle down it seems like it would be super boring -- that's probably my biggest fear about working in SV as opposed to the city or LA.

Yukos wrote:Where do you live and what do you do for fun? I love the Peninsula but until you have a family and settle down it seems like it would be super boring -- that's probably my biggest fear about working in SV as opposed to the city or LA.

It's not that hard to get to the city.

bk187 wrote:

Yukos wrote:Where do you live and what do you do for fun? I love the Peninsula but until you have a family and settle down it seems like it would be super boring -- that's probably my biggest fear about working in SV as opposed to the city or LA.

It's not that hard to get to the city.

True, I'm probably overestimating the isolation. Still curious where SV associates generally live if someone can answer that.

Yukos wrote: True, I'm probably overestimating the isolation. Still curious where SV associates generally live if someone can answer that.

Not OP but I know a handful of SV attorneys. There is a good mix of ones that live in SF and on the peninsula. SF is stupid expensive, but the peninsula (at least in the areas close to the major law firms) isn't really cheap either. The ones I know in SF tend to live close to the Caltrain stations so their commute to work isn't ungodly. There are pros and cons to living in both places that people tend to balance for their own personal circumstances.

What's the difference between the SF and SV offices of these firms? Talking specifically about Corporate/VC work. Is SV work considered better for any reason, or is it more or less the same? Thanks!

SV offices are generally where the main work is with the SF being an outpost where some partners work out of or a few litigation type partners.

I would strongly recommend someone start in the SV office at the beginning of their career and then move to the SF office in their 3rd year. Jesus people, just "rough" it in the Valley for a couple years.

Donkeykongmadness wrote:SV offices are generally where the main work is with the SF being an outpost where some partners work out of or a few litigation type partners.

I would strongly recommend someone start in the SV office at the beginning of their career and then move to the SF office in their 3rd year. Jesus people, just "rough" it in the Valley for a couple years.

There are no girls in Man Jose tho

Can you say how long it took for you to hear back after a callback?

Any thoughts on Goodwin's young office?