Foley & Lardner LLP

Our Survey Says

Vault Verdict 

On top of being a leading BigLaw firm, Foley & Lardner has a truly unique claim to fame. Foley’s founders actually helped Wisconsin—their home state—achieve statehood, and the firm hasn’t stopped since, expanding its footprint across the country and the world. Still, the firm doesn’t forget where it comes from, holding on to its Midwestern friendliness and love for smaller markets; with offices in 22 cities in the US, Foley is the BigLaw leader in many smaller cities. This makes Foley an extremely attractive firm for attorneys who want to practice in BigLaw in cities other than New York or DC. Foley is also known for having a better-than-average work-life balance, one of the reasons that associates praise the firm’s culture as “friendly” and “down-to-earth.” Partners treat associates with respect, the firm is improving its formal training options, and associates appreciate the informal training and mentorship provided by partners and senior associates. Speaking of compensation, although bonuses can be lower in the biggest markets, associates feel that their more reasonable hours are a fair tradeoff, and associates in secondary markets enjoy significantly above-market compensation for their cities. Associates receive substantive work that is often challenging, but the firm provides plenty of support for associates to work at levels above their class years and learn new skills. Technology isn’t the firm’s strongest attribute but it gets the job done, and associates appreciate the firm’s wellness efforts. Associates would like to see billable credit offered for diversity-related work. Partnership feels largely attainable.