Farella Braun + Martel LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

For associates who want to be in northern California and experience top-shelf work opportunities in beautiful settings with engaged partners, look no further than Farella. Candidates typically come from top Bay Area schools and have high grades, work experience, and a clerkship background. Coworkers are personable and supportive, and they enjoy socializing together, but not to the detriment of their personal lives. Partners are receptive to associate questions and input while caring about associate well-being and development, which are realized through associates working one-on-one with partners and intensive, firmwide trainings and workshops. Lateral hires are onboarded and made part of the team right away. Lean staffing leads to engaging, challenging work and client contact, though document review and drafting need to be done. Projects are meted out fairly through a work assignment system. The billable hour requirement at Farella is a reasonable 1,850 hours, which permits work-life balance; however, 2,000 billed hours are needed to be bonus eligible. Compensation is below market but competitive, especially when considering the hours worked, and bonuses may be hours-based or discretionary. Firm technology is fairly advanced and innovative, but certain problems with laptops and software should be addressed. A one-month paid sabbatical after working at the firm for four years tops the list of wellness benefits, which include fun programs and a wellness room. Pro bono work is supported and promoted with 150 hours counted as billable. Recruiting and development of diverse associates, along with affinity group establishment, top Farella’s efforts in advancing DEI. Marking partner is realistic, but non-partnership options are limited, so many of those who don’t make partner go in-house or to other firms.