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Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 12:57 pm
by haldren2198
Incoming 1L at Duke here and I’m set on biglaw, but very open in terms of practice area.
My family is from southern CA and I’d like to end up here eventually, but I get that it’s tough to get LA from OCI and I would enjoy starting my career in NY. I love the city and would have a great time living there for a few years, but I want to be near family long term.
Is it feasible to do NY biglaw for 2-3 years then move to either LA big/mid-law or in-house? I’m guessing the primary concern would be finding time to study for and pass the bar before getting a job, but is it common for new employers to give a couple months to out of state laterals for that?
Also, are there any practice areas I should prioritize if I’m planning on CA eventually? Definitely interested in tech/IP law and I know that’s fairly in-demand in CA, but I’m not sure how big the market is for that in NY.
Re: Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:53 am
by Hi-So - ArshavinFan
It’s feasible - I have a close friend that went out to NYC for 2 years and then headed back to California. She went to SLS though and was at Skadden.
It’s going to be way easier doing it via corporate/transactional than via litigation. Conventional wisdom is that litigators needs to pass thatsstate respective bar, and that NY corporate attys touch far more complex deals and get better experience due to client base. Not saying it can’t be done
Also ties matter - family in SoCal is good- but they definitely prefer a west coast undergrad unless you’re H/Y/S
Also firm - if you’re lateraling from a v10 - you’re set. Idk how it would go from a lower firm.
If I were you I would be focusing on grades like nothing else. Just find out how you can get copies of any practice exam and work through them. Everything else will work itself out - and you may be able to snag it right out of OCI
Re: Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:52 am
by Anonymous User
I’m at a v50 in LA and have some recent laterals from NY. it’s easy right now but may be rough when the lateral market goes cold. but you can’t control that. you have a good chance at LA from duke right away if you network enough anyway. but you would almost certainly have to get your offer from pre-oci.
Re: Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:22 pm
by haldren2198
Hi-So - ArshavinFan wrote: ↑Fri Jul 16, 2021 12:53 am
It’s feasible - I have a close friend that went out to NYC for 2 years and then headed back to California. She went to SLS though and was at Skadden.
It’s going to be way easier doing it via corporate/transactional than via litigation. Conventional wisdom is that litigators needs to pass thatsstate respective bar, and that NY corporate attys touch far more complex deals and get better experience due to client base. Not saying it can’t be done
Also ties matter - family in SoCal is good- but they definitely prefer a west coast undergrad unless you’re H/Y/S
Also firm - if you’re lateraling from a v10 - you’re set. Idk how it would go from a lower firm.
If I were you I would be focusing on grades like nothing else. Just find out how you can get copies of any practice exam and work through them. Everything else will work itself out - and you may be able to snag it right out of OCI
Thanks for the insight. I went to undergrad in SoCal so I do have that tie, though I haven’t built much of a professional network there. Assuming I don’t get LA out of OCI/pre-OCI, are there any transactional practice areas that would be particularly good for lateraling? I’d honestly rather steer clear of M&A/capital markets (though I’m open to it if those are my only options). I’m interested in tech transactional law, but is that something that’s more limited to the Bay?
Re: Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:44 pm
by Anonymous User
Anon to avoid outing. To answer your question about bar exams, laterals get a paid 6 week leave to study for and take the bar.
BUT if I were in your shoes, I would target WSGR Bay Area, Cooley Bay Area, Gunderson Bay Area, Goodwin Bay Area, Latham OC, GDC OC. Just apply to the California shops in their HQ and then NY firms so you don't strikeout. Reach out to Duke alums who work there to get the down low on their policies. I work at one of those above firms and the policy is lax and the firm is even offering full remote options, even in places where the firm does not have an office.
Re: Is it realistic to start my career in NYC but end up in LA?
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2021 2:56 pm
by Anonymous User
Bar leave time varies from firm to firm. 6 weeks paid is the max and only at a few firms (WSGR and can't remember the other). Most firms have a policy of 2-4 weeks. Taking the bar again will be annoying, but shouldn't deter you.
I just transitioned from NYC back to the Bay area with relative ease. My only ties were the fact that I grew up here (college, law school and jobs were all out of state), and that was enough. Though, keep in mind, we are also in a very busy hiring market. There's no telling what the market will be like 4-5 years from now when you're considering your lateral move. Just know that it's not entirely unheard of to make a move to LA after a couple years in NYC.
I might consider going to a firm that has offices in both NY and LA and doing a split between offices for your 2L summer. A lot of firms are open to this.