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I was contacted about an opportunity here and just curious what people have heard/experienced.

I don’t work there, but I’ve worked with their attorneys on various lit matters where we are generally on the same side.

They have a bit of a renegade reputation in SF. They’re not afraid to bring motions other firms won’t, to seek sanctions, etc. They seem to go 100% on everything. I’ve seen it go both ways for them.

The associates I’ve worked with are all really smart and qualified. Young attorneys seem to get more hands-on experience than in biglaw. One who really impressed my firm was promoted to partner as like a 6th year.

It seems very work hard play hard. I’ve been getting weekly emails that are clearly referring to them at least once per week over the last year, so not sure if they’re growing or if attrition is an issue.

One recruiter frankly told me it’s not a lifestyle firm. That’s my impression - if you fit in, seems like a great place to grow but I think it takes the right personality.

Have heard some of the same as above. Folks have also hinted at them being particularly unpleasant to work across from, to put it mildly. Some other stronger insinuations were offered about the type of people who work there, but I won’t repeat them here. That all said, them seem like smart, mostly competent lawyers.

I worked there a long time ago. There’s a lot I could say about it-some good, a lot bad. Given how long it’s been and that things may have changed (although maybe not based on the other comments), I won’t offer my full opinion on here. Definitely reach out on LinkedIn to people who have worked there before you make any decisions.

If you’re asking about NY, stay away. The former Pierce Bainbridge crew is running things. Long hours, suspect strategy calls in the name of “aggression.”

It’s a very unpleasant work environment.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:27 am

Have heard some of the same as above. Folks have also hinted at them being particularly unpleasant to work across from, to put it mildly. Some other stronger insinuations were offered about the type of people who work there, but I won’t repeat them here. That all said, them seem like smart, mostly competent lawyers.

Happy reading.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USC ... 2357-1.pdf

Do they pay market? What about a clerkship bonus?

I interviewed there. And turned them down. I saw one of my classmates from HYS last less than a year there following her clerkship. I didn't really like the people and the matters seemed "meh." They emphasized that alot of the people there were former "college athletes and very competitive."

Also, they emphasized how the firm wanted people in the office and one of the managing partners was zooming/interviewing with me from his/her vacation home on the otherwise of the country--and wouldn't be back into the office for a few weeks, working remotely. Ok. Chill. Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other fish in the sea, I'd consider elsewhere tbh... there's a reason recruiters are still trying to fill that vacancy many months later.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:31 pm

I interviewed there. And turned them down. I saw one of my classmates from HYS last less than a year there following her clerkship. I didn't really like the people and the matters seemed "meh." They emphasized that alot of the people there were former "college athletes and very competitive."

Also, they emphasized how the firm wanted people in the office and one of the managing partners was zooming/interviewing with me from his/her vacation home on the otherwise of the country--and wouldn't be back into the office for a few weeks, working remotely. Ok. Chill. Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other fish in the sea, I'd consider elsewhere tbh... there's a reason recruiters are still trying to fill that vacancy many months later.

They seem to do interesting public interest-esque work that other like firms don't do, no?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:34 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:31 pm

I interviewed there. And turned them down. I saw one of my classmates from HYS last less than a year there following her clerkship. I didn't really like the people and the matters seemed "meh." They emphasized that alot of the people there were former "college athletes and very competitive."

Also, they emphasized how the firm wanted people in the office and one of the managing partners was zooming/interviewing with me from his/her vacation home on the otherwise of the country--and wouldn't be back into the office for a few weeks, working remotely. Ok. Chill. Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other fish in the sea, I'd consider elsewhere tbh... there's a reason recruiters are still trying to fill that vacancy many months later.

They seem to do interesting public interest-esque work that other like firms don't do, no?

They are attempting to establish a public interest impact litigation practice sort of similar to what Kaplan Hecker does. I don't believe that the practice is that firmly established yet though.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:58 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:34 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:31 pm

I interviewed there. And turned them down. I saw one of my classmates from HYS last less than a year there following her clerkship. I didn't really like the people and the matters seemed "meh." They emphasized that alot of the people there were former "college athletes and very competitive."

Also, they emphasized how the firm wanted people in the office and one of the managing partners was zooming/interviewing with me from his/her vacation home on the otherwise of the country--and wouldn't be back into the office for a few weeks, working remotely. Ok. Chill. Thanks but no thanks. Plenty of other fish in the sea, I'd consider elsewhere tbh... there's a reason recruiters are still trying to fill that vacancy many months later.

They seem to do interesting public interest-esque work that other like firms don't do, no?

They are attempting to establish a public interest impact litigation practice sort of similar to what Kaplan Hecker does. I don't believe that the practice is that firmly established yet though.

All of their impact litigation associates leave shortly after joining because (a) it is a toxic workplace, (b) they are underpaid/overworked, and (c) they are usually pulled onto commercial cases (and asked to do personal legal work for the partners).