California - Silicon Valley

What budding junior, mid-level, or senior lawyer wouldn't want to practice at the epicenter of the entrepreneurial cradle, California's Silicon Valley? It all began in 1939, when the original garage start-up was created by two Stanford University grads, William R. Hewlett and David Packard. Since then, the legendary business deals in Silicon Valley have frequently been compared to the great Gold Rush that brought so many to the New West. Although many other areas in the United States have tried to set up their own technology corridors, this is the original and still the best!

You can take the 101 and 280 to Silicon Valley, but you won't see a sign for it. It stretches roughly from San Jose to just south of San Francisco, an area approximately 50 miles long and 10 miles wide. It contains household-name Fortune 100 companies, as well as some of the best start-up opportunities anywhere in the United States.


This area has spawned one of the greatest concentrations of wealth anywhere in the world, with billions of dollars invested in some of the most successful venture capital firms in the world. Is it any wonder that nearly everyone with a good idea tries to raise capital here? That means one thing: a large number of companies that need attorneys.

Silicon Valley has everything that an aspiring attorney might want. Some of the best technology and service companies can be found here, including such giants as Applied Materials Inc., Apple Computer, Cisco Systems, Ebay, Electronic Arts, Hewlett-Packard Co., Google, Intel, Netscape, Oracle Corporation, Sun Microsystems, and Yahoo!

Of course, the most recent media attention has focused on the rise and fall of the dot-com tide, those halcyon days when it seemed that every person in the Bay Area had a business plan, much like the screenplay in every waitperson's back pocket in Los Angeles. Since the dot-com crash, the legal market remains vital. The corporate market has now rebounded from the bubble burst.

As a mark of the robustness of the legal market here, many New York and international powerhouse law firms have opened offices here. A further measure of the market is that nearly all of the associates and partners from the once-formidable Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, LLP, were quickly assimilated into other firms around the Silicon Valley area.

Many of the most respected attorneys in the United States are here in Silicon Valley. This is, after all, the home base for Cooley Godward; Fenwick & West; and of course, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Rudnick Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich; Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe; Morrison & Foerster; O'Melveny & Meyers; and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.

Indeed, the high quality of the work available to attorneys here hasn't gone unnoticed, and more and more of it is being generated. Some world-class New York and international firms with a presence here include Coudert; Foley Lardner; Greenberg Traurig; Latham & Watkins; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (through its acquisition of Brobeck attorneys); Reed Smith (in a merger with Venture Law Group); Squire Sanders & Dempsey; Shearman & Sterling; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden Arps Meagher & Flom; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. What is attracting all of these major firms to this area? The same thing that is attracting young associates: a sophisticated legal community with exciting entrepreneurial clients.

Quality of work is also the reason that salaries at firms in Silicon Valley are the same as, or sometimes even higher than, salaries of New York firms. Sophisticated work and high-quality clients are the norm in this market.

For those interested in intellectual property-whether it is "hard" (including patents, patent litigation, and patent prosecution) or "soft" (including licensing, copyright issues, and trademark issues)-Silicon Valley is the place to be. Although the corporate attorneys receive most of the press, the markets for intellectual property candidates and litigators are always booming. Tax and ERISA attorneys are in sharp demand in a market where start-up companies become multi-billion-dollar entities in only a few years. As deals sour and technology falls into dispute, the Silicon Valley is a hot practice area for litigators. The Bay Area is home to some of the most expensive corporate real estate, and a number of large REITs have their headquarters located here. Real estate has remained a thriving practice, even though occupancy of commercial real estate has decreased.

Silicon Valley boasts some of the nicest weather on the planet. The logo above Broadway Street in Redwood City attests: "Climate Best by Government Test." The Bay Area is host to some of the most extensive outdoor facilities that can be found. Silicon Valley offers a broad spectrum of leisure activities: walking your dog, playing a round of golf on some of the best courses in the West, hiking, and mountain biking.

There are plenty of golf courses to entertain your clients. Excepting the rainy season in February and March, you can make your tee reservations months in advance, secure in the knowledge that the sun will be shining on your chosen day. However, if it's raining in Silicon Valley, then it must be time to pack your car and head for your winter retreat in the Sierra Mountains, where Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Squaw, and Heavenly Valley, to name a few, feature skiing at Lake Tahoe.

Silicon Valley also has the highest concentration of triathletes in the world. If the triathlete bug grips you, make sure that you sign up for the Escape from Alcatraz, a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz, followed by an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile grueling run through the famous sand ladder at Baker Beach. The field has reached its capacity the past six years!

For something a little more pedestrian, try a hike on the ridge above Silicon Valley. In the boundaries of the Peninsula Open Space project, a collection of land donated since the turn of the century, is a ridge line stretching for nearly 30 miles, with hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. For the puckish, it might be time to stop in at Buck's Restaurant in Woodside, where many a start-up has been hatched (Netscape, for example), on your way up Woodside Road to Skyline Drive.

On the Peninsula, wine can be sipped less than an hour's travel away from San Jose, at the famed tasting rooms of the Bonny Doon Vineyard. After tasting this vintner's offerings, discover some of the best food on the West Coast, whether it's Emile's; La Foret in San Jose; the Palace BBQ, a landmark destination for aficionados of Korean cuisine; Manresa in Los Gatos; Marche in Menlo Park; Pisces in Burlingame; or Evvia, the quintessential taverna, located in Palo Alto. All in all, there isn't a better place to practice law and enjoy a rich quality of life than Silicon Valley.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.