I say this because investors sit on boards and work alongside these lawyers once they invest. They learn pretty quickly who is great and can often give very direct recommendations: a specific lawyer, not just a firm. At the startup stage you should choose the lawyer, not the firm.
FYI - at least one friend-of-a-friend large scale investor reached out after this article to note he'd almost hired this same person.
Don't assume someone coming in through a reference has had the level of due diligence you need. Always do your own due diligence. It catches things that will otherwise slip through because everyone assumes everyone else checked.
Licensed attorneys in other states can act as in house council in California: https://www.courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index.cfm?title=nine&lin... They have to register with the state.
Depending on your origination is doing and what services the attorney is providing this might be completely reasonable.