Lateral to California firm - advice Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all!

I'm currently a 3rd year cap markets associate at a V10 in NY, looking to make a move to SoCal for personal reasons. Was originally planning on going in-house, but considering logistics and opportunities, am now looking at Cali firms. Recruiters have suggested the below firms, and wanted to get people's insights. Would likely be going into either cap markets or a more general corporate practice. I know I can read up on all of these firms elsewhere (which I'm separately doing), but I've found the first hand experience on TLS to be very helpful over the years.

Realize the list is long, but any insights on culture, type of work, hours, general insights, in-house exit opportunities, etc. on any of the below would be super helpful! Thanks all!

- Fenwick
- Winston & Strawn's LA office
- Norton Rose
- Vedder Price's LA office
- Latham and Watkins
- Loeb & Loeb
- Cooley
- Gibson
- Latham
- O'Melveny & Myers LLP

[Anonymous User]

Also a junior associate interested in moving to southern california for personal reasons -- been looking at both greater LA and San Diego offices of firms above, in addition to a few others, so would love any insight!

Also, if looking to lateral to California, is it helpful to begin prepping for the bar on your own? I guess I'd be looking to take the February bar at this point, but just wondering if it helps at all to show firms I'm serious about moving.

[Anonymous User]

Also a junior associate interested in moving to southern california for personal reasons -- been looking at both greater LA and San Diego offices of firms above, in addition to a few others, so would love any insight!

Also, if looking to lateral to California, is it helpful to begin prepping for the bar on your own? I guess I'd be looking to take the February bar at this point, but just wondering if it helps at all to show firms I'm serious about moving.

I'm a V10 midlevel in the process of lateraling to SoCal to one of the firms in OP's post and will probably start studying for the Feb bar later in the year then take some time off in the weeks leading up to the bar. I don't think starting now helps or hurts you.

[Anonymous User]

Do people use recruiters when making lateral transitions into different markets? or you just apply online/use alums for referral?

[Anonymous User]

Are you guys litigation or corporate? My firm is looking to hire for litigation. Corporate market in LA is not that hot, as far as I can tell.