CA BigLaw with weak ties Forum

[Anonymous User]

Median t14 with loose ties. I can present a strong pitch for wanting to work with technology companies based on my undergrad degree. I want to work in SF/SV but I've heard LA is more open to east coasters. 2Ls/3Ls and current associates advice welcome.

Thanks ahead of time

[Anonymous User]

I'm an east coast transplant that works in LA biglaw. Although I can't speak for SF/SV, LA definitely does care about ties. Long story short, I decided to go to law school in LA because my girlfriend (who I met in college on the east coast) is from LA, and our plan was for me to move out west. In every single OCI screener interview I was asked, "Your resume screams east coast...so why LA?" I gave the whole speech about how my long term significant other is from here, I intend to stay here, blah blah blah, but they definitely cared. Some pushed back a bit, others seemed satisfied.

This question came up even more during my callbacks, especially from partners. Obviously some firms care more than others and plenty of other factors play a role, but ties definitely matter as a whole.

Good luck!

[Anonymous User]

LA cares about ties. Like the above poster I'm an East Coast transplant who got grilled extensively on "why LA" in every interview. That said, you can make it out here without extensive ties. For some it will be an auto ding, for others it will be one factor among many. I know people who got SF/SV without ties too. Your grades will determine as much or more then your history.

[run26.2]

In SV/SF, my experience suggests there are a couple of factors that may help overcome weak ties. A degree from H or Y (and to a lesser extent Columbia) helps. Very strong grades at another t14.

Work experience in tech and/or startups is helpful. Simply having a U/G in a tech field is not enough, though.

[globetrotter659]

Do you have a science degree? I know plenty of people with no ties to CA who got jobs in SF/SV because they can do patents.

I lived in SF for 22 years but spent a few years on the east coast after undergrad (including law school). SF firms grilled me on my ties.

[run26.2]

I agree. If OP wants to do patent pros, their credentials are probably good enough, even without ties.

[El Pollito]

I can't speak to OCI, but ties were not a big deal during lateral interviews.

[Tiago Splitter]

I've been pretty surprised at the number of people in SV biglaw without ties to the area. Certainly wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket though. It would help if you are working 1L summer in CA somewhere.

[Anonymous User]

OP here, thanks everybody. Don't think I'll spend many bids on LA, because I honestly don't know anything about the market. It seems so different than the bay area. (there is spacex, but other than that is it mostly entertainment and generic f500 transactions?)

[Anonymous User]

OP here, thanks everybody. Don't think I'll spend many bids on LA, because I honestly don't know anything about the market. It seems so different than the bay area. (there is spacex, but other than that is it mostly entertainment and generic f500 transactions?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Beach

[oblig.lawl.ref]

I've been pretty surprised at the number of people in SV biglaw without ties to the area. Certainly wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket though. It would help if you are working 1L summer in CA somewhere.

This.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

OP here, thanks everybody. Don't think I'll spend many bids on LA, because I honestly don't know anything about the market. It seems so different than the bay area. (there is spacex, but other than that is it mostly entertainment and generic f500 transactions?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Beach

Here's the thing about this, lots of the companies appearing in that Silicon Beach wiki page use SV offices of SV firms as their primary outside counsel. So (a) the fact that a major SV company opens an office in LA and (b) the fact that a unicorn grows in LA does not necessarily translate in LA legal work.