Got multiple offers: DPW, S&C, STB NorCal. M&A and want to focus on PE. Which firm has better culture?

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Will let others correct me if I’m wrong but as someone practicing in PE/M&A in SF, not sure DPW and S&C have much of a focus on PE in this market.

STB at least is trying to grow their PE M&A team judging by recruiter emails.

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Just to counter what counsel 1 is saying, many PE M&A attorneys go in house to funds. And PE M&A has one of the highest rates of making equity partner, or being able to leave for equity elsewhere. That said, it’s brutal lifestyle.

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If in the Bay Area, STB is the only one that has a real PE practice

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I'd do s&c and you can lateral for more PE later in your career. Avoid STB bay area unless you are very catty

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It's the associates but the partners let them run the zoo so to speak

KE

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I don’t see either groups being about culture. Outside of the hours, as Biglaw has hours that are long across the board M&A/PE have some of the worst culture pretty much in every market.

With that said, STB and K&E are the real PE groups in your list. So you should go with one of those two. Maybe K&E since they have free food in the SF office, and I heard it’s good lol.

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STB

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