An overview of the legal landscape in Century City
The legal landscape of Century City is a testament to both the historical legacy and the modern-day significance of the area as a legal nexus in Los Angeles. Originally envisioned in the post-World War II era as a haven for the entertainment industry, Century City quickly evolved into a dynamic business hub, attracting Fortune 500 companies and big law firms vying for prominence in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world. As major law firms began establishing their presence in the area, the legal community found itself in the midst of a renaissance in corporate law, intellectual property, and entertainment law providing top-notch legal service to the prominent businesses that surround Century City. Currently, Century City is home to some of the biggest names in big law, allowing its legal giants to easily navigate the complexities of diverse industries ranging from technology and banking to human services and real estate. With its proximity to Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the area provides a unique opportunity for high-profile development projects and extensive clientele, particularly in the areas of entertainment law and intellectual property. The convergence of multiple elite law firms in the same workspace has further contributed to an atmosphere of collaboration and competition that has helped Century City foster an innovation-friendly environment . Flexibility and the ability to adapt to the constant evolution of the social, economic, and technological landscape is part of the culture of Century City law firms, which prioritize up-to-date legal resources aimed at helping their clients stay ahead of the curve. Century City’s physical landscape has also undergone attitudinal and institutional progress in the past decade, with new projects boasting 21st century architecture. Some of the newer law office buildings have adopted a showcase-style design, featuring a variety of spacious open workspaces, communal collaboration rooms, and presentation areas while maintaining the professional office experience that Century City clients have come to expect, allowing open lines of communication and collaboration among the firms and their partners. Much of the top legal talent in California is concentrated in this cost-efficient microcosm of high-rise offices populated by award-winning law firms, giving Century City an edge over other major urban centers. Despite some challenges to its crown in recent years, Century City remains a top location for big law firms and their clients, offering an idyllic setting and a progressive environment through which they can access comprehensive legal services in many of the home market industries while expanding their service offerings and core competencies. This places Century City on the radar of fortune and talent seekers across the country, setting the legal community in its path up for tremendous growth and expansion in the years to come.
Century City’s leading law firms and their focus areas
Numerous nationally recognized law firms have established themselves in Century City. These firms are often separated into different divisions based on areas of expertise, and they service a wide range of onshore and offshore clients. The most prominent firms in Century City include: Latham & Watkins LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Reed Smith LLP, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Manatt Phelps & Phillips, L.L.P., Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Greene, Radovsky, Maloney, Share & Marks, and Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Century City is home to Latham & Watkins LLP, which was German-born Thomas Hale Boggs Jr., who hailed from the area before going on to become the Deputy White House Counsel in 1970. Now it is one of the world’s largest law firms with more than 14,000 attorneys in 14 countries. Latham & Watkins LLP maintains offices in offices in: Washington DC, Dallas, London, Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna, Brussels, Zurich, Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. They specialize in real estate, corporate, environmental, litigation, and antitrust law. Latham & Watkins LLP has earned itself a reputation as an expert in antitrust law. They represented the company Revlon, Inc in 1996 as they attempted to acquire the beauty company The Helene Curtis Companies in a transaction valued at $1.9 billion dollars, however the acquisition was opposed by the FTC and was eventually restructured. Latham & Watkins LLP was called in the same year to represent the acquisition of the nationwide pizza and coffee retailer Yum! Brands, Inc. (who own Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and WingStreet). They helped the company acquire California Coffee Investors, LLC for $6 billion dollars. Greenberg Traurig LLP is an international law firm that began as a Miami-based, national practice nearly 50 years ago, now specializing in corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, environment/land use, and government affairs. Some legal publications have recognized Greenberg Traurig LLP as the second largest U.S. based firms offering litigation services with over 500 litigators. The firm’s Century City office was opened in 1985, and like the rest of the firm, has grown exponentially since. Greenberg Traurig LLP has been involved in high-profile cases such as representation of Ellen DeGeneres’s television company, ED Online, Inc., in a lawsuit filed against American Ninja in 2004 for copyright infringement; and Ninth Circuit ruling on a settlement between the California Board of Accountancy and QuickBook maker Intuit. Greenberg Traurig LLP has also represented Google Inc., Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Comcast Corporation. Reed Smith LLP is an international law firm that focuses on service delivery. They have 28 offices in US, the UK, and continental Europe, and are grouped into five business divisions; commercial disputes, regulatory & government affairs, employment and labor, intellectual property, real estate, tax, and transportation practitioners, in addition to their 13 sector-based volumes. Reed Smith LLP is also home to the Center for Life Sciences Law, dedicated to the biopharmaceutical, medical device, and life sciences industries. The firm has handled high-profile cases such as Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP v. RockStar Consortium US LP and Rockstar Bidco US, LLC v. Google Inc., which was filed in the U.S. District Court of Texas in which Rockstar asserted patents that were acquired from Nortel in 2011 for $4.5 billion. In 2014 Reed Smith LLP also represented New York landlord EOS Ventures LLC, who accused Bank of America of failing to commercially lease a $20 million dollar building in NYC’s World Financial Center.
Big law firms’ reasons for being in Century City
The top law firms in the country have established their presence in Century City, drawn by the strategic advantages it offers. For big law firms in particular, proximity to other businesses, access to high-profile clients, and influence in regional legal matters makes Century City a prime location to set up shop.
The Century City business district is conveniently situated adjacent to the Westside and its primary hub, Westwood, home of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The area is also located close to major thoroughfares such as the Santa Monica Freeway and the San Diego Freeway, providing immediate access to multiple business districts and regions.
From the start, Century City has been a hub for commercial activity. Its association with 20th Century Fox, the original developer of the area, earned it not only the name but a reputation that has helped cement its position as a commercial center. While it is not as close to downtown Los Angeles as some other Westside business districts, it is positioned closer to the commercial and business activity that extends westward through West Los Angeles.
Centuries City’s proximity to Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and the Westside of Los Angeles makes it an appealing spot for major law firms to base their operations. As a growing business center, Century City has steadily expanded its influence over the West Los Angeles region. The area is not only home to several of the largest legal institutions in the country, including multinational law firms and top-tier boutiques, but also a growing number of corporate offices, financial institutions, and service providers. From the start, Century City has been a hub for commercial activity. Its association with 20th Century Fox, the original developer of the area, earned it not only the name but a reputation that has helped cement its position as a commercial center.
More recently, some of the top law firms in the country have set up shop in Century City, including… A handful of the nation’s biggest law firms have staked their claim to the area, setting up shop in four prominent locations: In addition to more established firms, a steady influx of new and expanding firms have chosen to operate from Century City, including… Century City law firm choices are many, and the location provides close proximity to the most prestigious firms from both an entertainment and corporate legal standpoint.
These firms all have one thing in common: they are all large-scale, multinational entities with significant operational capabilities. Law firms choose the area because of its combination of highly qualified legal professionals, proximity to other businesses, and a reputation as a forward-looking, vibrant commercial center. Century City is a hub for large legal, financial, and corporate services firms, as well as a range of other institutions, from real estate to energy. Its central location within the growing City of Los Angeles, as well as its proximity to major professional services and commercial districts, all adds to its rise as one of the most vivacious central business districts in Southern California.
Big law firms are attracted to Century City because they recognize the immense potential for growth. The area’s highly educated population, access to major business corridors, and access to other nearby business centers have all held value for Century City firms. Additionally, Century City boasts a highly educated population and a central location. The area has proven favorable for a variety of professional services and corporate institutions, offering a range of employment opportunities.
Century City legal careers
If you are starting your career as an attorney, Century City is a great place to find employment in a "big law" firm. Competition among the firms is fierce, which is good for prospective employees. If you have the proper credentials, experience and do well on the interview, the top firms are willing to overlook some missteps in your education, or in your employment history, to fill positions in their offices. Positions are available in all fields, from litigation to family law. Firms that need attorneys include Snell & Wilmer, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP , Paul Hastings LLP, Proskauer Rose LLP, K&L Gates LLP, Arent Fox LLP, Irell & Manella LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Squire Patton Boggs LLP, Arnold & Porter LLP and Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP.
If you are not an attorney, but seek employment in this field, there are opportunities for you in this location as well. Associates are needed to work up cases under the supervision of senior partners, first chair and second chair attorneys. Clerks to answer phones and perform paralegal and secretarial duties are also in demand.
Future law firm trends in Century City
The future trends for law firms in Century City include significant technological changes beginning with on-boarding and data management to complex securities regulatory changes. A critical change is the transparency of legal fees and match to client real time feedback. Century City law and corporate legal departments have become much more collaborative in a globally networked world. There are few secret deals and conflicts of interest limit information flows. Transactional transparency and information flow is shattering traditional Century City practice. Emerging trends include employee policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within firms to promote a workplace culture and practices that support a diversity and inclusion workforce. Some firms are concerned that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs should not be a check-the-box exercise. Law firms recognize that what was acceptable even a few years ago is now illegal and will create further litigation exposures and reputational harm. There is a trend to award employees who improve a firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion in several ways such as mentoring, recruiting and materials or inputs that support the pursuit of firm diversity, equity and inclusion goals. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, technology partnerships will be mandated for billing and time-keeping technology.
Choosing a law firm in Century City
When selecting a law firm in Century City, there are several important factors to consider. The first is the firm’s reputation within the legal community and the geographic area. A well-known firm with a positive reputation may have more leverage in negotiations and settlements. However, a smaller firm may have more personalized service, and foster better communication between client and counsel. The second factor in choosing a law firm is the firm’s expertise in the area of law in which you require assistance. Does the firm have attorneys that specialize in your specific legal needs? Does the firm have attorneys that have proven they can successfully handle your case or business? If the type of case or business you need assistance for is not a primary focus of a firm, it is likely that its attorneys will not be as versed in the nuances of these particular cases or businesses. Third, the best way to determine a law firm’s expertise is through client reviews . What are their clients saying about them? Do they have positive reviews or otherwise? The reviews should also be from their previous clients and not other law firms seeking to discredit their competitors. Furthermore, these reviews should be from newer clients and not just other law firms who’ve worked with them in the past. In fact, it would be wise to find out if the new clients would use them again, or if they would refer them to others. Lastly, the most important factor may be the type of legal services a firm has to offer. Are these services and/or more than enough for you? Does this firm have what it takes to tackle your case? For example, some firms may only focus on business and corporate law such as corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and intellectual property. Others focus on real estate transactions including land use and zoning of public and private properties. Still others focus on litigation, for example, public interest law and protection of civil rights.