STB (NY) vs. SF firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

Interested in tech but struggling bc not sure at this point if I want to do corp or lit and the SF firms interviewed me for corp. Seems like I'd be able to rotate at STB but I also recognize they aren't necessarily "known for" lit. Prestige matters to me insofar as it might impact future exit opps, but I care a lot more about culture/interesting clients/work. (If my priorities are misplaced please feel free to enlighten me.)

Also would be curious to hear if anyone has insights on pros/cons of free market vs. centralized assignment system!

[JiveTurkey]

I think the biggest question is do you want to live in NY or CA? Also, if you *really* want to do tech and that’s most important go to CA.

I can’t speak to the CA firms re: culture but STB is more of a “work is separate”/reserved type place. I don’t think you’re going to be socializing outside of work a ton with your coworkers there.

[Anonymous User]

Unless you have burning desire to live in NY, go with Fenwick. Among the best firms for tech work (along with Cooley & WSGR) and known to have good culture.

And FYI re: free market vs centralized assignment system: you will eventually move towards a variation of a free market system by your 2nd or 3rd year so....

[Anonymous User]

I really want to do tech work but see myself coming back to NY eventually. (Obviously that could change.) I'm prepared to spend a few years in CA and do my time before either lateraling or finding an in-house opportunity somewhere in NY, not sure how realistic that is.

Socializing wouldn't matter to me as much in NY as I already have an established social circle there; I'm more concerned about toxicity in the workplace (e.g., whether there is a hierarchical/competitive atmosphere, the firm's approach to diversity, etc.)

[tlsguy2020]

I can’t speak to the CA firms re: culture but STB is more of a “work is separate”/reserved type place. I don’t think you’re going to be socializing outside of work a ton with your coworkers there.

Most firms in SF tend to be this way. I think because of smaller class sizes, places don't have much of a "going-out" culture. The only people from my firm that I socialize with outside of work are people that I knew in law school.

In terms of free market vs. centralized: ideally, somewhere in the middle is best. Centralized system means that you have less ability to decide who you work with and what matters you work on. This means that you have less ability to control whether you end up working for a notorious bully partner/senior associate. In a free market system, if you play your hands right, you can end up getting a lot of work from people you might prefer working with or on matters you find more interesting. That said, it can be difficult to maintain a proper workload/say no under pure free market. Having some type of work coordinator in that situation is a big help.

[Anonymous User]

I really want to do tech work but see myself coming back to NY eventually. (Obviously that could change.) I'm prepared to spend a few years in CA and do my time before either lateraling or finding an in-house opportunity somewhere in NY, not sure how realistic that is.

Socializing wouldn't matter to me as much in NY as I already have an established social circle there; I'm more concerned about toxicity in the workplace (e.g., whether there is a hierarchical/competitive atmosphere, the firm's approach to diversity, etc.)

If you really want to do tech work, you're not going to do that at STB NY. Go with Fenwick and then transfer to the NY office in a couple of years if you still want to move back.

(that being said, why on earth did you interview for SF offices if you want to move back to NY?)

[Anonymous User]

Thanks all, this is extremely helpful. Is Fenwick sufficiently portable outside of the CA market? Looking at recent attrition data, I'm not as confident about the lateral/exit opps compared to STB or MoFo.

(To answer your question, my partner is starting her masters in the Bay Area, so the plan was either for me to go to SF or for us to do long distance for a bit. If I landed on the east coast she was going to apply for her PhD in NY.)

[Anonymous User]

Thanks all, this is extremely helpful. Is Fenwick sufficiently portable outside of the CA market? Looking at recent attrition data, I'm not as confident about the lateral/exit opps compared to STB or MoFo.

(To answer your question, my partner is starting her masters in the Bay Area, so the plan was either for me to go to SF or for us to do long distance for a bit. If I landed on the east coast she was going to apply for her PhD in NY.)

What type of exit opportunities are you thinking? People rarely leave Fenwick to go to other firms. They leave to go in-house at tech companies.

[Anonymous User]

OP, I just finished my 2L summer at Orrick SF and can help answer questions if you have them. Let me know if you'd like me to DM you so I don't de-anon myself publicly.

[Anonymous User]

I guess because of the aforementioned geographic uncertainty in my future, I am thinking about both lateral opps to NY (where partner and I have family) and in house positions as a junior/mid-level in tech (should we decide to stay in SF). I don't want to put too much store in Vault rankings as I understand they have very little bearing in CA, but have been told it is easier to move "down" than up. Fenwick is attractive to me now, but if we ultimately decide the west coast just isn't our thing, will going there constrain my options down the road?

[Anonymous User]

OP, I just finished my 2L summer at Orrick SF and can help answer questions if you have them. Let me know if you'd like me to DM you so I don't de-anon myself publicly.

Lmao speaks volumes that you didn’t even vote for Orrick

[Anonymous User]

Why not go to STB Palo Alto and then can move back to STB NY when ready?

[Anonymous User]

I guess because of the aforementioned geographic uncertainty in my future, I am thinking about both lateral opps to NY (where partner and I have family) and in house positions as a junior/mid-level in tech (should we decide to stay in SF). I don't want to put too much store in Vault rankings as I understand they have very little bearing in CA, but have been told it is easier to move "down" than up. Fenwick is attractive to me now, but if we ultimately decide the west coast just isn't our thing, will going there constrain my options down the road?

Fenwick is your best option if your goal is to move in house to tech. Even in NY.

[Anonymous User]

Why not go to STB Palo Alto and then can move back to STB NY when ready?

FYI STB Palo Alto is infamous for its toxic culture

[Anonymous User]

OP, I just finished my 2L summer at Orrick SF and can help answer questions if you have them. Let me know if you'd like me to DM you so I don't de-anon myself publicly.

Lmao speaks volumes that you didn’t even vote for Orrick

Same anon here. Nah, I just don't vote on polls. I signed my offer letter a few days after they gave it to me, lol. Had a great time there and am very excited to join after graduation.

[Anonymous User]

Looked through various threads and didn’t see anything about STB PA having a toxic culture? What’s the word?