LA PE Firms Rep / Culture - LGP, Ares, Platinum Equity, Marlin Equity

I can comment on a few. LA overall is a growing PE market with more demand for jobs, given lifestyle and better culture and intersection of consumer tech and media.

LGP known to be to be solid investor, consumer retail focused but does the occasional TMT and industrials deal. small team, ok culture, pays above street, interview process is very investment thesis focused and will ask a lot of various business models and views on those. standard LBO test with CIM, expect to present to a room of 3-4 people including a partner usually. Expect a private company but larger size of the case. 90% on cycle with 1-2 spots maybe off cycle.

Marlin - top 10% returns across PE funds period. extremely diligent and disciplined about their investments. focused on software but does some tech services. AUM expected to grow quickly in the next year. interview process is standard but again tech centric. 1-3 rounds over the phone, in person superday that takes like 2/3 of a business day with abridged CIM, 3-statement LBO, and a series of interviews with partner VPs and senior associates. they go on cycle for 80% of spots with the remaining off cycle but no guarantees on timing. usually late in the year.

Ares - top tier firm, bad culture, bad hours, cutthroat promotion standards, good pay. difficult interview process and they go on cycle. if you can make it here, you can generally make it anywhere.

Apollo - same as Area. had 1 interview there. guy was a hardo. immediately didn’t want to continue.