WSGR v. Cooley (v. Fenwick) - all SV Forum

[Anonymous User]

First-gen law student here for a sanity check. I'm interested in EC/VC (both company-side and VC-side), but currently unsure whether I would prefer general corporate or tech transactions. My offer is from TTG at WSGR and corporate at the other two.

I thought I would like Cooley more since everyone raves about their culture... but in reality I didn't feel like I clicked with any of my interviewers except one. On the other hand, I really enjoyed talking with everyone I met at WSGR, both during interviews and otherwise (WSGR hosted a lot of virtual networking events; Cooley hosted none, so there weren't as many opportunities to meet their attorneys).

For WSGR - I like their Launch program, which I confirmed I will be able to participate in, since I would be able to try both corporate work and TTG work. I'm also thinking it would be nice to get guaranteed TTG work, since I know it's more niche than corporate? But I don't know if that is a valid concern.

For Cooley - Honestly the biggest factor is that I hear so many good things about Cooley. I also like how they are strong in all aspects (company-side, VC-side, tech, life sciences). I did speak with a TTG associate though who told me there's like 10 people in that group... which sounds small (not that WSGR's TTG is huge either).

I'm less interested in Fenwick because they do a lot less VC-side work than company-side work (or so I've been told). I also don't know how I feel about the free market system. It sounds easier to get work assigned instead of having to seek out work myself, but obviously I don't know if that's true in practice. An attorney at Fenwick also told me that I would not be able to ask for TTG work in the corporate group.

If you can't tell, I'm leaning towards WSGR, but I'm hesitant because, again, all the good things I hear about Cooley, both substantively and culturally. Is there something I'm missing?

[Anonymous User]

First-gen law student here for a sanity check. I'm interested in EC/VC (both company-side and VC-side), but currently unsure whether I would prefer general corporate or tech transactions. My offer is from TTG at WSGR and corporate at the other two.

I thought I would like Cooley more since everyone raves about their culture... but in reality I didn't feel like I clicked with any of my interviewers except one. On the other hand, I really enjoyed talking with everyone I met at WSGR, both during interviews and otherwise (WSGR hosted a lot of virtual networking events; Cooley hosted none, so there weren't as many opportunities to meet their attorneys).

For WSGR - I like their Launch program, which I confirmed I will be able to participate in, since I would be able to try both corporate work and TTG work. I'm also thinking it would be nice to get guaranteed TTG work, since I know it's more niche than corporate? But I don't know if that is a valid concern.

For Cooley - Honestly the biggest factor is that I hear so many good things about Cooley. I also like how they are strong in all aspects (company-side, VC-side, tech, life sciences). I did speak with a TTG associate though who told me there's like 10 people in that group... which sounds small (not that WSGR's TTG is huge either).

I'm less interested in Fenwick because they do a lot less VC-side work than company-side work (or so I've been told). I also don't know how I feel about the free market system. It sounds easier to get work assigned instead of having to seek out work myself, but obviously I don't know if that's true in practice. An attorney at Fenwick also told me that I would not be able to ask for TTG work in the corporate group.

If you can't tell, I'm leaning towards WSGR, but I'm hesitant because, again, all the good things I hear about Cooley, both substantively and culturally. Is there something I'm missing?

First off, congrats - all fantastic offers!

If you clicked with WSGR most, then go with WSGR. That being said, if you find you like Corporate more than TTG, can you actually switch? You said the offer is for the TTG group so not sure how the mechanics of that works out.

Also re: free market system - by 2nd/3rd year, virtually every firm more or less adopts a free market-like system so that shouldn't really affect your thinking. In other words, if you're still relying on people assigning you work by your 3rd year, you will not last long at the firm.

[Anonymous User]

First off, congrats - all fantastic offers!

If you clicked with WSGR most, then go with WSGR. That being said, if you find you like Corporate more than TTG, can you actually switch? You said the offer is for the TTG group so not sure how the mechanics of that works out.

Also re: free market system - by 2nd/3rd year, virtually every firm more or less adopts a free market-like system so that shouldn't really affect your thinking. In other words, if you're still relying on people assigning you work by your 3rd year, you will not last long at the firm.

This is OP. Thank you for your input! What you said about the free market system makes sense; do you think the difference in assignment system vs free market system during first year is negligible?

[Anonymous User]

First off, congrats - all fantastic offers!

If you clicked with WSGR most, then go with WSGR. That being said, if you find you like Corporate more than TTG, can you actually switch? You said the offer is for the TTG group so not sure how the mechanics of that works out.

Also re: free market system - by 2nd/3rd year, virtually every firm more or less adopts a free market-like system so that shouldn't really affect your thinking. In other words, if you're still relying on people assigning you work by your 3rd year, you will not last long at the firm.

This is OP. Thank you for your input! What you said about the free market system makes sense; do you think the difference in assignment system vs free market system during first year is negligible?

I think it really depends on your personality. For some, it's nice having an assignment system that provides more support at the beginning (especially for those who are more shy & reserved). For others, they would rather have a free market system because it lets them work on projects they want & develop relationships w/mentors earlier (which will then help for future assignments).

You know yourself best so see where you fit in on the scale. But like I said, you have to ultimately adapt to a free market system so this consideration would rank fairly low when making choices. So if you truly connected best with WSGR people & you can switch to corporate if you find you like that more, then I would go with WSGR.

[fs33]

If you feel like you didn’t click, consider reaching out to your recruiting contact and ask if you can meet more people from Cooley. It happens all the time. Getting more data points can only help even if you end up at Wilson.

[Anonymous User]

I spent some time with WSGRs TTG group as a summer and had a very positive experience. I ultimately chose corporate due to interests, but every TTG attorney I worked with was great. The TTG group is very tight knit — they hold consistent group lunches and trainings

I don’t think you can work with TTG-IT during launch, which is focused on tech companies, but you can work with TTG-Bio. This policy might have changed though.

[Anonymous User]

Former WSGR summer here (not SV office though). WSGR's culture is very different by groups, and I can confirm that TTG is on the better side. But they always seemed REALLY busy. I personally know a few attorneys at Cooley's Palo Alto office, and they are really nice and down-to-earth type people. I would have recommended Cooley without any hesitation if you got an offer from WSGR's corporate group, but since it's from TTG...if you're thinking of going in-house in Bay Area, it would be a really good place to start.

[Anonymous User]

If you feel like you didn’t click, consider reaching out to your recruiting contact and ask if you can meet more people from Cooley. It happens all the time. Getting more data points can only help even if you end up at Wilson.

Thanks for the advice. I did talk with a few people at all firms other than my interviewers, but they were rather undistinguishable in a non-interview context to be honest.

[Anonymous User]

I spent some time with WSGRs TTG group as a summer and had a very positive experience. I ultimately chose corporate due to interests, but every TTG attorney I worked with was great. The TTG group is very tight knit — they hold consistent group lunches and trainings

I don’t think you can work with TTG-IT during launch, which is focused on tech companies, but you can work with TTG-Bio. This policy might have changed though.

This is very helpful, thank you! And I talked with recruiting/attorneys and confirmed re: launch, fortunately.

[Anonymous User]

Former WSGR summer here (not SV office though). WSGR's culture is very different by groups, and I can confirm that TTG is on the better side. But they always seemed REALLY busy. I personally know a few attorneys at Cooley's Palo Alto office, and they are really nice and down-to-earth type people. I would have recommended Cooley without any hesitation if you got an offer from WSGR's corporate group, but since it's from TTG...if you're thinking of going in-house in Bay Area, it would be a really good place to start.

Thanks for your input. Is Cooley v. WSGR corporate more based on the culture/people side of things, or is there a substantive/work-related reason as well?

[Anonymous User]

Hey, OP.

I'm also first-gen and facing almost your exact same scenario, these three firms and deciding between tech transactions and general corporate. Did you make a decision?

[Anonymous User]

Hey, OP.

I'm also first-gen and facing almost your exact same scenario, these three firms and deciding between tech transactions and general corporate. Did you make a decision?

OP here, heading to WSGR.