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Faegre Drinker

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

From locations across the U.S. and internationally, Faegre Drinker gives associates opportunities for top-quality work alongside profoundly engaged partners and coworkers. Hiring is increasingly competitive, from T14 schools to law schools regionally close to specific offices. Coworkers are approachable, supportive, and collaborative, and associates learn under the tutelage of partners, who want to see them develop. One-on-one training sessions with mentors are common and supplemented with robust formal offerings. Transitions are good for lateral hires, who feel welcomed immediately. Advanced, challenging projects are assigned with appropriate guidance given, and distribution of work is fair. Faegre Drinker has adopted a manageable 1,900-hour billable requirement, and attorneys enjoy flexibility on when and where they work with only two in-office days per week required. Compensation falls below the market standard, but discretionary bonuses and bonuses for billing additional hours can close the gap. Firm technology is sufficient, but not cutting-edge; associates recognize that the firm is trying to address and improve attorney wellness. The firm’s strong pro bono arrangement is apparent in numerous opportunities and the 100 hours that count as billable. Up to 50 hours of diversity-related work also apply to the billable hour goal, and an annual diversity retreat is a firm highlight. Smaller associate class sizes translate to realistic chances of making partner, and counsel roles exist. Attorneys who opt to leave often move to other firms or go in-house.

Faegre Drinker

222 Delaware Avenue
Suite 1410
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (215) 988-2700

Firm Stats

Chair: Gina Kastel
Hiring Partners: Nicolas Guzman and Lauren Barta
Total No. Attorneys (2024):
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named 2023:
26
Billable-Hour Requirement:
1,900 creditable hours (partner-track associates)

Base Salary

1st year: $160,000 - $225,000 Summer Associate: 1Ls and 2Ls: $2,884 - $4,134 per week (depending on office)

Employment Contact

Dyana Barninger
Senior Director of Lawyer & Consultant Recruiting
(202) 230-5291
dyana.barninger@faegredrinker.com

No. of U.S. Offices: 18

No. of International Offices: 2

Major Office Locations

Wilmington, DE
Boulder, CO
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
Florham Park, NJ
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Wayne, IN
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles, CA
Minneapolis, MN
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Princeton, NJ
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
London
Shanghai

Major Departments

Benefits & Executive Compensation
Business Litigation
Construction and Real Estate Litigation
Corporate
Finance & Restructuring
Government & Regulatory Affairs
Health Care
Insurance
Intellectual Property
Investment Management
Labor & Employment
Private Client
Product Liability & Mass Torts
Real Estate
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.