LA Litigation Boutiques Where the Grass is Greener? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi all. I'm a 5th-year lit associate at a V15 firm in LA looking to exit big law to a smaller general lit boutique or a mid-sized firm with better quality of life and better work experience. While I've gotten substantial briefing experience and some case management and trial experience, deposition and hearing opportunities are virtually non-existent for associates at my firm, as are partnership opportunities. I'm looking ideally for a smaller, mid-market lit shop that requires 1900 hours or less, that allows associates more hands-on substantive experience, and that offers realistic partnership (and/or non-partnership, long-term employment) options. I recognize that I'll have to take a pay cut, but hope to earn a base of about $200K or more. I've found it difficult identify and research these types of firms online (though have found some resources, e.g., the Daily Journal's top boutiques list). Any advice/knowledge re firms to consider (open both to west side and DTLA) and/or the best way to score an interview with such firms would be appreciated (it seems many don't work with headhunters). Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Stats?

[Anonymous User]

I thought a lot of the lit boutiques paid in line with big law and we’re usually more selective?

[Anonymous User]

check out Buckley Sandler in Santa Monica. DC based firm but decent sized LA office. Salary/bonus pretty much tracks cravath scale (not sure if they raised in the last round of raises though). I worked there before leaving for gov but we had a 1800 billable requirement and i got an above market bonus for billing 1900 before. Also no up and out model. something like 70% of senior associates make "counsel"

[Person1111]

OP, send me a private message.

[Anonymous User]

I am at a boutique and I am on track for 2,600 hours and get paid less than a first year. My bonus will probably be 1/2 of market for my year. Also get yelled at and called names.

Boutiques can be hell. Unchecked yellers, sexual harassment is often rampant. There is usually 1 or 2 partners that run the place. They do whatever they want.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe try mckool smith in DTLA.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

FWIW a few associates there mentioned aiming for 160-170 hours a month, which doesn't sound too bad. Obviously, that could be false or an exaggeration.

[Anonymous User]

That office basically operates as Mike Hennigan's personal fiefdom, for better or worse.

[Anonymous User]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

FWIW a few associates there mentioned aiming for 160-170 hours a month, which doesn't sound too bad. Obviously, that could be false or an exaggeration.

10-8? That sounds like a godsend. Am I missing something here?

[Person1111]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

FWIW a few associates there mentioned aiming for 160-170 hours a month, which doesn't sound too bad. Obviously, that could be false or an exaggeration.

10-8? That sounds like a godsend. Am I missing something here?

In LA, those are pretty normal working hours but not normal hours to be expected to be in the office.

[Elston Gunn]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

FWIW a few associates there mentioned aiming for 160-170 hours a month, which doesn't sound too bad. Obviously, that could be false or an exaggeration.

10-8? That sounds like a godsend. Am I missing something here?

10 hours in the office on a normal day, with variability (particularly up when things are busy) is pretty normal for non-NYC biglaw IME.

[Raiden]

Maybe try McKool Smith in DTLA.

This might be office specific, but the hours in the Texas McKool offices are brutal. The experience is great, but the substantive work and heavy load of trials mean that your hours are going to be rough. That isn't specific to McKool. I know nothing about the LA office, but the firm-wide culture seems pretty solid.

Can confirm, a partner in McKool's LA office told me their daily schedule was 10-8, with major variability depending on whether they've got a trial. I like the firm, but it seems pretty intense.

FWIW a few associates there mentioned aiming for 160-170 hours a month, which doesn't sound too bad. Obviously, that could be false or an exaggeration.

10-8? That sounds like a godsend. Am I missing something here?

10 hours in the office on a normal day, with variability (particularly up when things are busy) is pretty normal for non-NYC biglaw IME.

Wow. I thought midlaw was tough, but me leaving at 6pm-ish everyday really puts this in perspective. I don’t make big law money though so there’s that.