Tampa with Strong Ties vs San Antonio with Few Ties Forum

[GiveMeLiberty]

Hi,

I grew up in Lakeland and have strong ties to Central Florida (went to undergrad in Lakeland, my parents and brother still live there, my wife lived there and her parents still live there, my dad worked in Tampa for years, etc.). I went to school at GW in DC and currently work for a biglaw firm doing litigation and white collar work. I'm going to clerk on the 3rd Cir in the coming fall, and after that my wife and I want to settle down and are choosing between moving back home to Lakeland (I would try to work in Tampa) or moving to San Antonio, where our only ties are my wife's sister and her husband, who have lived there for about 10 years.

What is the firm market like in Tampa and San Antonio? How easy would it be for me to get a job at a midsize or biglaw firm in the Tampa area with strong ties, top 10% GPA, two years biglaw experience, and an appellate clerkship? In San Antonio with the same stats but no ties?

What practice areas are common in the two cities? I'd like to do litigation, but don't really care what the subject matter is (corporate/commercial, white collar, personal injury, etc.).

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who works or has worked in either market.

Thanks!

[2013]

From a networking and future business development perspective, I think this is a no-brainer. I’m not familiar with either market, but what is driving you to San Antonio other than the sister-in-law?

FWIW, I think San Antonio pays significantly more. So, I guess that may be the reason?

[lavarman84]

Hi,

I grew up in Lakeland and have strong ties to Central Florida (went to undergrad in Lakeland, my parents and brother still live there, my wife lived there and her parents still live there, my dad worked in Tampa for years, etc.). I went to school at GW in DC and currently work for a biglaw firm doing litigation and white collar work. I'm going to clerk on the 3rd Cir in the coming fall, and after that my wife and I want to settle down and are choosing between moving back home to Lakeland (I would try to work in Tampa) or moving to San Antonio, where our only ties are my wife's sister and her husband, who have lived there for about 10 years.

What is the firm market like in Tampa and San Antonio? How easy would it be for me to get a job at a midsize or biglaw firm in the Tampa area with strong ties, top 10% GPA, two years biglaw experience, and an appellate clerkship? In San Antonio with the same stats but no ties?

What practice areas are common in the two cities? I'd like to do litigation, but don't really care what the subject matter is (corporate/commercial, white collar, personal injury, etc.).

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who works or has worked in either market.

Thanks!

I can speak to Tampa. While I have some Texas knowledge, I don't know a lot about San Antonio. My assumption is that Tampa and San Antonio are likely similar legal markets. San Antonio might pay more. I also expect San Antonio has a lot more energy-related law. But again, I'm guessing on San Antonio.

With regard to Tampa, you'll have no issue finding a firm job in Tampa. Ties are important, and you have them. Your GPA, biglaw experience, and clerkship should be very strong selling points. Tampa doesn't have a lot in terms of traditional biglaw (I would bet the same is true of SA). It has large Florida firms, though. The type of firms you should consider are Holland & Knight, Carlton Fields, Shumaker Loop, Akerman, Hill Ward Henderson, Foley & Lardner, Greenberg Traurig, etc. There are going to be plenty of mid-sized firms with a handful of large firms.

As for practice areas, commercial litigation is obviously big. There's a lot of real estate, construction, and insurance lit too. Healthcare is big, but I don't know how much litigation is done there. And, of course, there's product liability and torts. I could also see you doing some appellate work if you're interested in that at those types of firms.