The 2023 “Bay Area Associate Experience in Business Law” was student-led and aimed at demystifying the different paths in business law practice for new associates.

The symposium began with an introductory overview of the divergent life cycles in corporate vs. litigation practices for law firm associates. Then it transitioned into discussions of various corporate transactional niches prevalent in Bay Area practice. Panels were organized around sub-specialties such as emerging company & startup law, private equity transactions, and technology transactions, with experienced associates or partners from each area sharing their day-to-day work and mentorship advice. This format allowed students to compare, for example, working at a venture capital/startup boutique versus a big-law M&A department.

Associates from firms like Davis Polk, Paul Weiss, and Wilson Sonsini contributed, giving a range of perspectives. Their discussions covered work-life balance, skill sets needed for each niche, and how Bay Area’s unique industry mix (tech, biotech, finance) influences a young lawyer’s career path.
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Details

Date: Friday, March 10, 2023

Time: 9:00 am – 12:35 pm (Lunch & BCLB Summer Associate Law Firm
Fair at The Faculty Club from 12:40 – 2:30 pm)

Venue: Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94704