Bay Area Lit Firms Forum

[Anonymous User]

D.Ct/CA9 clerk hoping to land in the Bay Area after I finish clerking next year. My credentials are solid, but not strong enough to make me confident I could land a spot at a place like Keker or Munger (i.e. did not go to a T14). I know SF is generally a corporate-heavy market, but would appreciate a rundown on the litigation practices in the area. Particularly interested in distinctions between the different major Bay Area firms (i.e. Cooley, Orrick, WSGR, MoFo) and insights on the lit groups for the firms with larger satellite offices in the market (i.e. Gibson, LW). I would prefer to be in an SF office, but open to SV, too.

[Anonymous User]

Gibson and Quinn (and I believe LW as well, although less familiar) have profitable, standalone litigation practices -- i.e., litigation is generating its own business, not a quasi-service practice picking up work via corporate. (Quinn, of course, doesn't have deal work.)

My impression -- although others should correct if I'm mistaken -- is that WSGR, Cooley, MoFo are primarily corporate.

[Anonymous User]

My impression -- although others should correct if I'm mistaken -- is that WSGR, Cooley, MoFo are primarily corporate.

This is my impression as well.

Heard good things about A&P and Covington.

[Anonymous User]

I’m at A&P SF. Our office (about 75 attorneys) is about 2/3 lit. The busiest areas are consumer products, IP, and complex lit. The office used to be a very respected boutique (Howard Rice) before A&P came to town — the SF office has retained a bit of that vibe and feels a bit more boutique-y than the firm’s other offices. I’ve worked 1:1 with partners/counsel on about 80% of matters since I was a first year.

Happy to connect privately if you have any questions.