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Baker McKenzie

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Baker McKenzie puts the “big” in BigLaw because of its many attorneys and worldwide offices. It also gives associates big work experiences, compensation, and opportunities for partner interactions. Law school attended, academic achievement, and work experience all impact the hiring process, and associates can look forward to coworkers who are sociable, collaborative, and friendly. Partners are integrally involved in associate development and success and contribute meaningful feedback. Having partners in the office more often would further enhance their ability to guide associates, but generally, the firm’s training and mentoring programs are effective. Projects range from basic document review to challenging, complex work that may be above an associate’s experience level, and associates are encouraged to take on new responsibilities. High-quality assignments seem available and distributed to all associates. Baker McKenzie sets a fairly standard 2,000-hour billable requirement, but this is manageable because 125 of these hours can be earned via pro bono or DEI work. Associates are content with compensation, which matches the prevailing market rate, and above-market bonuses are available once they hit the 2,300-hour threshold. Less-than-innovative firm technology, with teams frequently using different, incompatible systems, impairs efficiency. Wellness initiatives may mirror what other firms offer, but support and buy-in are underwhelming. A dedicated team supports and advocates for pro bono work in a wide variety of fields. Similarly, the firm is committed to advancing diversity, as shown by sponsored events and webinars as well as by the firm’s hiring, retention, and promotion practices. Promotion to non-equity or equity partner seems attainable for high-performing lawyers who put in the hours and do good work. Exit opportunities, including in-house options, are viable for many associates.

Baker McKenzie

300 East Randolph St.
Suite 5000
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 861-8000

Firm Stats

Acting Chair: Milton Cheng
Hiring Partners: Lawrence Lee and Nancy Sims (California); Matthew Jenner (Chicago); Jorge Gonzalez (Dallas/Houston); Teisha Johnson and John Fedele (DC); Federico Del Carmen (Miami); Claudia Poernig (NY)
Total No. Attorneys (2024):
4.5K - 5K
No. of Partners Named 2023:
19
Billable-Hour Requirement:
2,000

Base Salary

1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year +: $435,000
Summer Associate: $4,326.92 based off of $225,000

Employment Contact

Kristina Gajewicz
Director of Recruitment, North America
kristina.gajewicz@bakermckenzie.com
General recruiting email: Recruiting contacts for all North America offices can be found at bakermckenzie.com/en/locations/north-america#careers. All applicants apply directly through our website; no email submissions are accepted.

No. of U.S. Offices: 9

No. of International Offices: 60+

Major Office Locations

Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
New York, NY
Palo Alto, CA
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC I
+60 international offices

Major Departments

Antitrust & Competition
Aviation
Banking & Finance
Capital Markets
Consumer Goods & Retail
Compliance & Investigations
Dispute Resolution
Energy, Mining & Infrastructure
Employment & Compensation
Environment & Climate Change
Global Structuring & Integration
Information Technology & Communications
Intellectual Property
International Arbitration
International Commercial & Trade
Litigation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Equity
Real Estate
Restructuring & Insolvency
Securities
Tax
White Collar Defense & Investigations in North America
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.