Latham San Diego? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Primarily wondering about the office's financial health. I'd like to be in SD due to personal reasons/SO ties, and I'm leaning heavily transactional at this point. I understand that Latham and Cooley do the vast majority of corporate work in SD. I just don't know how to assess things like the office's finances/ability to withstand a recession. I do know it's an older office (their fourth), but what other factors should I consider? Obviously I've heard all about "lathaming," but SD is a tiny market with very few big players, and Latham seems to be the biggest. Would it be wiser to start in LA? I'm honestly not a big fan of LA, and the junior associate lifestyle in SD seems to be better across the board, but I'd go there if I had to.

Apologies for the neuroticism, just feeling a little nervous about everything right now and want to make a safe decision to the extent that's possible in biglaw.

[Anonymous User]

I work in a different Latham office, although I am a junior. My general impression is that, notwithstanding the lip service that the firm pays to learning lessons from the last recession, the firm is still not a place that will let juniors sit on their hands if they have no work to do.

That being said, you are right that your choices are limited in SD. If you don't have a Cooley offer, Latham is defensible.

[Anonymous User]

I work in a different Latham office, although I am a junior. My general impression is that, notwithstanding the lip service that the firm pays to learning lessons from the last recession, the firm is still not a place that will let juniors sit on their hands if they have no work to do.

That being said, you are right that your choices are limited in SD. If you don't have a Cooley offer, Latham is defensible.

Thanks for sharing. Radio silence on the Cooley front, might be time to check in for an update.

[Anonymous User]

DLA is also looking for juniors. For corporate work it’s Cooley/Latham then DLA.

[Anonymous User]

DLA is also looking for juniors. For corporate work it’s Cooley/Latham then DLA.

Would you take DLA over Latham? Culture seems pretty great

[Anonymous User]

DLA is also looking for juniors. For corporate work it’s Cooley/Latham then DLA.

Would you take DLA over Latham? Culture seems pretty great

If the pay’s the same (which, as far as I know, it is) it’s a bit of a toss up. The DLA corporate group seems like it has fewer neurotic people, that’s for sure. But it’s also all dudes. I think they do more EC/vc than Latham but not nearly as much as Cooley. Latham does a lot more cap markets, but DLA does a decent amount.

Just gotta interview and go with your gut.

[Anonymous User]

Also, under-the-radar but not bad in SD - Mintz. Check it out. They do a mix of public company and early-stage work, nearly all biotech. I'd take that over DLA anyday. Mintz is a nice place to work.

[Anonymous User]

I work at Latham SD. I am not in corporate, so I can't give much advice, but I think the the people are pretty good as far as big law goes. As for financial stability, I think it's pretty solid and everyone is busy. When the recession comes, anything could happen, including big layoffs, but I highly doubt the office would close.