I don't think these issues go so much to the point of needing a "startup lawyer" with a presence in the Valley, but more to getting high quality service, which probably means paying $$.

A first year associate knows next to nothing about practicing law, and shouldn't be let anywhere near your business. While it's possible that Wilson Sonsini does a better job of handholding their first year class, I doubt that the quality of work you'd get from a first year at X top firm differs significantly in quality from that of a first year at top firm Y.

Likewise, a partner in the corporate practice group at any major law firm would probably not have made these mistakes, regardless of the firms profile in the Valley.

It is common for people on the outside to think everyone on the inside is the same. This article makes the very helpful point that it is not enough to be a "lawyer." You must get a "lawyer who understands startups." Otherwise it's like an iPhone app developer hiring a programmer whose only experience is pushing COBOL punch cards through an insurance company's circa 1976 DEC mainframe. Sure, he's a programmer, but he's not likely to be of much use.

Great point. And while I think in the startup community there's a general acceptance of the idea that not all devs are created equal, I'm not so sure the same has been realized about other service providers.

Very good illustration of needing an experienced startup lawyer. It's true. And really interesting story in its own right :)

Did he pitch his idea to someone who's mother just passed away?