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Having trouble deciding between these two places for corporate: WSGR in Palo Alto and one of Cooley's non-Palo Alto CA offices. Interested in emerging companies work. Worry that I might be limiting my options down the road by not starting out in Palo Alto.

Loved the people at Cooley, but also liked WSGR when I visited. Have heard that Cooley is more reasonable as far as hours and that WSGR can have a reputation for being a sweatshop, but not sure how that bears out in practice. WSGR seems to be the bigger name and offer stronger exit options, but Cooley also looks to be on the rise. Also, somewhat hesitant because of the siloing of work in WSGR's corporate group.

Anonymous User wrote:somewhat hesitant because of the siloing of work in WSGR's corporate group.

The corporate group, from what I hear, no longer uses the silo system. You're a generalist for a couple years. Note that it sounds like the silo system is still in place for the other practice groups (TTG, lit, patent, etc.).

Any geographic preferences? If not, I vote WSGR because for emerging companies, they'll be on at least a par with any Cooley office, including Palo Alto, San Diego, or Boston. If you aren't going to any of those offices, then Wilson will definitely give you better opportunities to do the work you're interested.

Note that it sounds like the silo system is still in place for the other practice groups (TTG, lit, patent, etc.).

Silo-ing exists for all groups. The only change is that juniors aren't immediately placed in one.

I know someone who summered at Cooley Palo Alto in 2012, and he said the summers were told from day 1 that they had to earn an offer and there would likely be at least 1 no-offer. It worked out for him, and looking at NALP, it's not like Cooley made a ton of no-offers (3 out of 45). Nonetheless that just seems like unneeded stress. It also made relationships among the summer strained at times.

Also, I know you're considering a different office of Cooley; and I get that many firms are full of shit when they tell their summer class "There's room for everyone!", but overall that still sounds like a situation I would avoid.

roshambo?