2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Fenwick

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Fenwick hires associates from a wide variety of law schools, and candidates should be entrepreneurial and express an interest in technology and life sciences. The firm culture is collaborative, casual, and welcoming yet professional and appropriately serious. Partners are approachable and responsive to questions and, along with senior associates, invest in associate development. Associate training is comprehensive, including regularly scheduled, practice-specific sessions and less-formal, deal-based guidance. Lateral hires feel integrated and supported when they join the firm. Associates are encouraged to take on challenging, compelling work assignments, and exposure to clients comes early. Associates receive work through a free market system. Fenwick imposes a 1,950-hour billable requirement, and compensation matches the BigLaw standard, with special bonuses available for exceptional contributions. The firm is innovative with the use of AI. Wellness offerings include unlimited PTO, subscriptions and discounts to resources, and a health stipend; partners are known to actively encourage associates to take time off when needed The firm hosts pro bono clinics and encourages pro bono work; 100 hours can count as billable, and more hours can be applied with permission. Partnership is attainable and the process is transparent; promotion to counsel roles is also available. Those who exit typically go to other firms or in-house. Perks include time at a firm condo in Hawaii for high performers, travel and commuter benefits, and unlimited PTO.