Choosing between full-time offers from top IP boutiques: Any advice? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello all,

Let me first say that I hope this thread can serve as a guide for rising 3Ls that are currently trying to choose between full-time top IP boutique offers.

I'm currently trying to make up my mind regarding choosing which full-time offer to accept. I have offers at a couple of the top 5 Vault-rated IP boutiques. So as to not identify myself, I cannot give you the names of the firms.

I loved my time at each firm as a summer, and I have kept apprised of any news regarding either firm. I'm really looking for people's insights into things to consider about these Top 5 Vault-rated IP boutiques, generally.

Specifically I'm interested in people's insights into:
1. Reasons to avoid any of these 5 firms
2. Reasons why you'd accept an offer from one of these firms over another/the others
3. Which of these firms provides the best exit options (if exit options are sought)
4. Anything else someone with competing offers amongst these IP players should consider in making their decision (outside of personal considerations like office location, salary, and the other obvious considerations)

Thanks in advance!

[Desert Fox]

[jbagelboy]

What the hell is a V5 IP boutique.

I would imagine firms like Desmarais, Knobbe, McKool, Banner. I've met some attorneys from Fitzpatrick Cella and they were awful. Like, some of the most obnoxious humans. I'm sure there are perfectly nice people there, but I have a terrible impression so I'd steer clear. Beyond that, I'd probably say Desmarais, then McKool or Banner or Knobbe, then others, but each firm has a niche IP practice and you probably know more about these firms that you interviewed at than us.

[Desert Fox]

[jbagelboy]

What the hell is a V5 IP boutique.

I would imagine firms like Desmarais, Knobbe, McKool, Banner. I've met some attorneys from Fitzpatrick Cella and they were awful. Like, some of the most obnoxious humans. I'm sure there are perfectly nice people there, but I have a terrible impression so I'd steer clear. Beyond that, I'd probably say Desmarais, then McKool or Banner or Knobbe, then others, but each firm has a niche IP practice and you probably know more about these firms that you interviewed at than us.

Finnegan and Fish are great firms. Isn't McKool GP?

Yea you know a lot more than me about this

Mckool does a decent amount of ip work though

[Desert Fox]

[jhett]

Maybe the OP is referring to this list: http://www.vault.com/company-rankings/l ... RankID=275

If so, then:
Knobbe: has a very strong IP reputation (particularly in pros), especially on the West Coast. However, has a crappy reputation among associates for not giving you full credit for your work (billed hours requirement rather than billable), you can get stuck on crappy clients that don't pay their bills, and it's badly organized.
Kenyon: they are suffering due to IP litigation downturn
Fitzpatrick Cella: don't know much about them
mckool smith: ditto
Sterne Kessler: great for post-grant procedure work. Also churns out a lot on the prosecution side, but quality is iffy. Slightly lower pay for the same hours, but apparently they are good on work-life balance.

Exit options depend on the type of work you do and the technology/clients that you are working on more than on the firm itself, so you should research who their clients are.

[Desert Fox]

[Anonymous User]

I second that list being terrible. Why is Knobbe Martens listed and not Fish/Finnegan? You are anonymous so just post the firms you are considering and some more details if you actually want helpful advice. Do you want to do prosecution or litigation? Do you want to stick it out at a firm for few years or are interested in partnership? Some of the firms do a lot of inbound foreign prosecution work, which is great for hours but terrible for actually learning anything.