Fish & Richardson P.C.

Our Survey Says

VAULT’S VERDICT

Fish & Richardson is not only the standard-bearer for top-quality intellectual property work but also offers associates an incredible culture, partner connections, and career prospects. Recruits must have STEM backgrounds, top grades, and an interest in IP. They should expect laid-back, pleasant coworkers in spaces that are supportive and collaborative. The people of Fish & Richardson want to see others succeed, and they do a good job welcoming lateral hires. Associate success is largely due to partner approachability, guidance, and feedback, and partners treat associates with respect as colleagues. Comprehensive training programs contribute to associate development as well. Associates take on a wide variety of high-level, meaningful assignments, and they’re encouraged to embrace these responsibilities. Project distribution often depends on experience, familiarity with assigning partners, and associates taking the initiative to seek work. Fish & Richardson allows associates to choose a flexible, reduced-hour schedule; for those who pursue full-time work, it imposes a 2,000-hour requirement (with an additional 100 “quality hours” needed to earn a market-rate bonus). Salaries match the market standard, but associates would appreciate more clarity around discretionary bonuses. Firm technology, including the adoption of AI tools, is efficient and innovative. There are numerous wellness offerings, but billing obligations make it difficult to utilize them. Pro bono work is encouraged and is a firm priority, with 200 hours that count as billable. Affinity groups are active, recruiting succeeds in bringing in diverse associates, and 50 hours of DEI-related activities can be applied to the hours requirement. Moderately sized associate classes mean that promotion prospects are solid, even at the equity partnership level. Moreover, counsel and non-equity positions are viable, and many attorneys opt for external, in-house roles.