Faegre Drinker

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Faegre Drinker hires from many different law schools, including schools near the hiring office, and looks beyond standard metrics to find attorneys who do good work and work well with others. Friendliness, kindness, and professionalism permeate firm offices, where people care about and respect each other’s personal lives. This supportiveness extends to partners, who work closely with associates, encouraging them to take challenging assignments and rendering assistance as needed. First-year associates receive structured training before getting substantive work. Lateral integration is organic, with assigned mentors and other colleagues helping newcomers to ease the transition, but more training on firm systems and structure to establish additional connections would be appreciated. Opportunities abound with partners fairly allocating assignments through a free market system and mentors stepping up to teach. The firm’s achievable billable requirement of 1,900 hours includes 100 hours for pro bono work. Salaries for junior-level associates match the market but lag behind market standards for higher-level associates and vary by location. Bonuses can make up some of these disparities. The technology is adequate for getting work done, and associates say that the firm is adaptive to new technology, including AI. Faegre Drinker offers counseling services and monthly wellness programs. Pro bono work is important, encouraged, and highlighted. Associates are hired because of their potential to make partner, and therefore, equity partnership is a realistic aspiration. Attorneys who depart tend go to in-house or government positions.