WSGR and conflict waivers in Silicon Valley

I've used Wilson Sonsini as my outside counsel for more than 15 years now. Like many a tech CEO, I was introduced to Larry Sonsini very early on as a green CEO, grew up with the firm, stayed loyal because of their incredible advice, got frustrated by their lack of follow through on the small stuff, and became fast friends with several partners at the firm. A very typical Silicon Valley tech story I have in common with CEOs at large and small companies in the valley.

But because WSGR is so successful in tech they often find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict and have become masters of the "conflict waiver". Both parties sign that it is OK that the same firm represents both sides because different partners are in the lead and they promise not to talk between the sheets (so to speak).

Which is why when @alacra1 (that's Steve Goldstein) tweeted out this cartoon I laughed out loud. If you have ever done a lot of business with WSGR you've seen this movie.



Thanks to stus.com for the brilliant cartoon.