Bay Area Firm Culture Forum

[Anonymous User]

I work at WSGR and I think the sweatshop rumors are well overblown. I think cuttthroat is likely also overblown, though I guess there can be some competition sometimes. That honestly probably happens just about everywhere. As people have said before, WSGR just acknowledges that there are partner groups but that isn't much different than elsewhere. That being said, Fenwick has a reputation for a great culture and being a great place to work. Cooley seems good too but is a bit corky.

Weil does great M&A out here but like many big M&A shops can have a lot of hours. Latham is big and has its hands in a lot of deals around here, including some VC/EC stuff. Goodwin is also a pretty big player in SV too. If you really like the EC work Gunderson is worth a look and even Orrick too.

Honestly, I don't understand the allure of the V10s here (outside maybe Weil, which has a different history). I especially wouldn't do KE out here, personally, either, if I had any other decent options. MoFo's a big player too but I don't really know that much about them really.

Any opinion on choosing between Goodwin SV and Weil SV? My impression is that Weil gets better M&A work and that's the focus of their office, whereas Goodwin has an overall broader mix of VC/EC/M&A and maybe a slightly bigger footprint in the Valley due to having two offices (SF/SV). Not sure about culture/hours differences, exit options, etc.

[Anonymous User]

I work at WSGR and I think the sweatshop rumors are well overblown. I think cuttthroat is likely also overblown, though I guess there can be some competition sometimes. That honestly probably happens just about everywhere. As people have said before, WSGR just acknowledges that there are partner groups but that isn't much different than elsewhere. That being said, Fenwick has a reputation for a great culture and being a great place to work. Cooley seems good too but is a bit corky.

Weil does great M&A out here but like many big M&A shops can have a lot of hours. Latham is big and has its hands in a lot of deals around here, including some VC/EC stuff. Goodwin is also a pretty big player in SV too. If you really like the EC work Gunderson is worth a look and even Orrick too.

Honestly, I don't understand the allure of the V10s here (outside maybe Weil, which has a different history). I especially wouldn't do KE out here, personally, either, if I had any other decent options. MoFo's a big player too but I don't really know that much about them really.

Not to say the V10s are on even footing with the indigenous SF corporate firms, but some of them still present great opportunities.

Skadden Palo Alto has had a great year in terms of M&A in the valley.

[Anonymous User]

I work at WSGR and I think the sweatshop rumors are well overblown. I think cuttthroat is likely also overblown, though I guess there can be some competition sometimes. That honestly probably happens just about everywhere. As people have said before, WSGR just acknowledges that there are partner groups but that isn't much different than elsewhere. That being said, Fenwick has a reputation for a great culture and being a great place to work. Cooley seems good too but is a bit corky.

Weil does great M&A out here but like many big M&A shops can have a lot of hours. Latham is big and has its hands in a lot of deals around here, including some VC/EC stuff. Goodwin is also a pretty big player in SV too. If you really like the EC work Gunderson is worth a look and even Orrick too.

Honestly, I don't understand the allure of the V10s here (outside maybe Weil, which has a different history). I especially wouldn't do KE out here, personally, either, if I had any other decent options. MoFo's a big player too but I don't really know that much about them really.

Any opinion on choosing between Goodwin SV and Weil SV? My impression is that Weil gets better M&A work and that's the focus of their office, whereas Goodwin has an overall broader mix of VC/EC/M&A and maybe a slightly bigger footprint in the Valley due to having two offices (SF/SV). Not sure about culture/hours differences, exit options, etc.

Can I ask what your Weil CB and offer dates were?

[Anonymous User]

Can I ask what your Weil CB and offer dates were?

CB 8/17. Offer 8/20.

[Anonymous User]

Can I ask what your Weil CB and offer dates were?

CB 8/17. Offer 8/20.

Cool, thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Not sure where else to ask this, but does anyone know if any Fenwick offers have gone out?

[Mr. Fancy]

I work at WSGR and I think the sweatshop rumors are well overblown. I think cuttthroat is likely also overblown, though I guess there can be some competition sometimes. That honestly probably happens just about everywhere. As people have said before, WSGR just acknowledges that there are partner groups but that isn't much different than elsewhere. That being said, Fenwick has a reputation for a great culture and being a great place to work. Cooley seems good too but is a bit corky.

Weil does great M&A out here but like many big M&A shops can have a lot of hours. Latham is big and has its hands in a lot of deals around here, including some VC/EC stuff. Goodwin is also a pretty big player in SV too. If you really like the EC work Gunderson is worth a look and even Orrick too.

Honestly, I don't understand the allure of the V10s here (outside maybe Weil, which has a different history). I especially wouldn't do KE out here, personally, either, if I had any other decent options. MoFo's a big player too but I don't really know that much about them really.

Any opinion on choosing between Goodwin SV and Weil SV? My impression is that Weil gets better M&A work and that's the focus of their office, whereas Goodwin has an overall broader mix of VC/EC/M&A and maybe a slightly bigger footprint in the Valley due to having two offices (SF/SV). Not sure about culture/hours differences, exit options, etc.

If you want to do M&A/PE stuff go to Weil. If you want to do VC/company-side stuff or don't know go to Goodwin.

[Anonymous User]

Are the exit options equal across all the native SV firms (wsgr/Cooley/fenwick)?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know much about Baker Botts in Palo Alto? Considering it.

[Anonymous User]

Thoughts on DLA in PA?

[oblig.lawl.ref]

Thoughts on DLA in PA?

I don't really know their culture but, in my opinion, there are much worse options to have. I'm not sure what your interest is in terms of litigation or corporate, or what their need for corporate associates is now, but I've seen them on the other side quite a bit in SV. They generally represent slightly smaller, or more cost-conscious, interests but I think also from time to time represent some pretty good funds and companies. Regardless, they seem to be a player around here.

[Anonymous User]

Any thoughts on Orrick SF?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insights regarding quality of work and culture at Latham SV? They seem to be one of the stronger V10 practices.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

Does anyone have any insights regarding quality of work and culture at Latham SV? They seem to be one of the stronger V10 practices.

I see them a lot, everywhere. I've been involved in venture deals with them on the other side, repping a fund, and I've also seen one of our venture companies move there. So somewhat surprising to me, they actually do some venture work. That might be a new thing and it may be a small aspect of their practice but I have seen it with my own eyes.

It seems large to me, like the kind of place that may not have a real definite culture. I don't know the genesis of that office but I'm guessing it was via a series of bolt-ons and lateral hires, which may explain that in an office of its size. But I'm not so confident in that assessment, it is somewhat of a feel.

They have their hands in everything up the chain from VC, they do their fair share of IPOs in the Valley, I would guess a little more underwriter side than issuer but issuer as well. I've never personally seen them in an M&A deal but would assume they do a quite bit of that as well.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks! Yeah, from what I have gathered, it seems like the SV practice was built around a bunch of laterals from Cooley and transfers from their LA office. That probably explains why they get VC work.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insights regarding quality of work and culture at Latham SV? They seem to be one of the stronger V10 practices.

I see them a lot, everywhere. I've been involved in venture deals with them on the other side, repping a fund, and I've also seen one of our venture companies move there. So somewhat surprising to me, they actually do some venture work. That might be a new thing and it may be a small aspect of their practice but I have seen it with my own eyes.

It seems large to me, like the kind of place that may not have a real definite culture. I don't know the genesis of that office but I'm guessing it was via a series of bolt-ons and lateral hires, which may explain that in an office of its size. But I'm not so confident in that assessment, it is somewhat of a feel.

They have their hands in everything up the chain from VC, they do their fair share of IPOs in the Valley, I would guess a little more underwriter side than issuer but issuer as well. I've never personally seen them in an M&A deal but would assume they do a quite bit of that as well.

As a followup question, do they do pretty high quality work or are they a pain to work with?

[Anonymous User]

KE SF, like all KE offices and other firms that focus on PE work, is a grind house. A specific type of person chooses/"thrives" in that environment.

The things that have been said about KE SF have been more than that, though. There are a ton of "grind houses" in BigLaw. I have never seen a firm treated with the "stay away" label the way KE SF is on here.

I agree with the "stay away" label and can speak from personal experience/second hand evidence that KE SF is a particularly awful culture. There was another poster in this thread who talked about how everyone in that office is a "bro" - that is true to the point of being disgusting and uncomfortable for women. To be a part of the bro club, the women at K&E SF have to put up with harassment on a regular basis. But maybe that's just biglaw as a whole, though.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

Does anyone have any insights regarding quality of work and culture at Latham SV? They seem to be one of the stronger V10 practices.

I see them a lot, everywhere. I've been involved in venture deals with them on the other side, repping a fund, and I've also seen one of our venture companies move there. So somewhat surprising to me, they actually do some venture work. That might be a new thing and it may be a small aspect of their practice but I have seen it with my own eyes.

It seems large to me, like the kind of place that may not have a real definite culture. I don't know the genesis of that office but I'm guessing it was via a series of bolt-ons and lateral hires, which may explain that in an office of its size. But I'm not so confident in that assessment, it is somewhat of a feel.

They have their hands in everything up the chain from VC, they do their fair share of IPOs in the Valley, I would guess a little more underwriter side than issuer but issuer as well. I've never personally seen them in an M&A deal but would assume they do a quite bit of that as well.

As a followup question, do they do pretty high quality work or are they a pain to work with?

At the time I thought they were a bit of a pain but not too bad, but I think if you look back and that's the worst you can say, that's not bad. It's really pretty impossible to generalize with firms and offices of this size. They probably have pockets of great lawyers and pockets of not so great, like most places. Overall and all things considered though, I'd say it seems like a good place to work that does high quality work.

[Anonymous User]

To follow up, what firms offer the best exit ops? Currently weighing offers from both indigenous firms (Fenwick, WSGR, Cooley) and V20 offices.

[Anonymous User]

To follow up, what firms offer the best exit ops? Currently weighing offers from both indigenous firms (Fenwick, WSGR, Cooley) and V20 offices.

Anyone? Also how about Orrick?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know about Weil SV and Davis Polk SV?

[Anonymous User]

To follow up, what firms offer the best exit ops? Currently weighing offers from both indigenous firms (Fenwick, WSGR, Cooley) and V20 offices.

Currently work in SV. Exit options among those three are going to be fairly similar. Practice group will matter more.

[Anonymous User]

To follow up, what firms offer the best exit ops? Currently weighing offers from both indigenous firms (Fenwick, WSGR, Cooley) and V20 offices.

Currently work in SV. Exit options among those three are going to be fairly similar. Practice group will matter more.

What are exit options (internally or externally) for a tax associate who wants to change practice groups?

[Anonymous User]

To follow up, what firms offer the best exit ops? Currently weighing offers from both indigenous firms (Fenwick, WSGR, Cooley) and V20 offices.

Currently work in SV. Exit options among those three are going to be fairly similar. Practice group will matter more.

What are exit options (internally or externally) for a tax associate who wants to change practice groups?

What do you mean by "internally or externally"? Like within your current firm or to another firm? It'll probably be easier to switch internally assuming you are well regarded, but this depends on your class year. Tax is fairly specialized, so it may be difficult to switch to a fairly different practice group if you are more senior. If you are midlevel or above, I imagine you'll need to drop down to at least a 2nd year unless there are some special circumstances.

[Anonymous User]

What are exit options (internally or externally) for a tax associate who wants to change practice groups?

What do you mean by "internally or externally"? Like within your current firm or to another firm? It'll probably be easier to switch internally assuming you are well regarded, but this depends on your class year. Tax is fairly specialized, so it may be difficult to switch to a fairly different practice group if you are more senior. If you are midlevel or above, I imagine you'll need to drop down to at least a 2nd year unless there are some special circumstances.[/quote]

Yeah at own firm or others. Are other corporate groups less specialized (e.g., M&A) or does level of specialization depend more on the firm? Do summer associates in corporate at V100 firms ever start out in such a particular practice group (e.g., "private equity" or "VC fund group" "tax" etc.) and thus receive an offer that's tied to that particular group? Do practice groups ever recruit for a specific practice group only (e.g., fund formation group)?