2022 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Ask about Fried Frank in the legal industry and you’ll almost certainly hear about the firm’s powerhouse Real Estate department—but ask Fried Frank associates about the firm, and you’ll absolutely hear about the firm’s exceptional culture. Despite its solidly high BigLaw ranking and formidable presence, associates praise the “small firm” environment that still comes with BigLaw perks. The firm prioritizes maintaining that culture in its hiring process, which goes beyond the T14 schools for the right candidates (although grades, journal experience, and work experience still weigh heavily). Associates say that kindness is the name of the game at Fried Frank, from junior associates all the way to the partner level. Associate development is cultivated and nurtured through both formal training and mentoring programs as well as informal, organic relationships and learning opportunities. Hours can be long, and associates don’t love the fairly strict billable hour requirement to receive a bonus. Still, compensation consistently matches the top of the market, and associates appreciate that 300 pro bono hours, as well as qualified non-billable hours, all count towards their bonus target. Work is highly substantive from day one—actually, day one of the summer program, which is packed with real work from start to finish. Wellness is tricky at any BigLaw firm, but associates love Fried Frank’s wellness reimbursement program, which offers a nice chunk of change toward gym memberships or equipment purchases. The firm’s commitment to diversity is apparent, although change is regrettably slow across the industry. Partnership is competitive but attainable for dedicated associates, and senior counsel roles are available, as well as desirable segues into companies or government.

THE FIRM'S PERSPECTIVE:

Fried Frank has had near unrivaled financial success within the legal profession over the past half-decade. Our highly commercial and collaborative approach has helped garner a prestigious client base of major corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions that consistently seek our attorneys’ advice on their most complex and sophisticated challenges. Our focused platform of offices in key financial and business centers in the U.S. and Europe ensures our attorneys have the opportunity to engage in delivering multi-disciplinary, cross-border advice to our clients. We also remain committed to our historic pro bono roots in the fight for the civil rights of immigrants, indigenous peoples, and other disadvantaged groups.

A key driver of our attorney experience is our overall size. With just over 500 attorneys, we have a diverse, collegial culture with numerous opportunities to collaborate with other practices, offices, mentors, clients, and our alumni family. Our lauded professional development programming provides our attorneys with the opportunity to hone their technical and legal skills to ease their transition into the practice of law. Additionally, our robust wellness program, Living Well, offers vital resources, benefits, and programming to assist both our attorneys and business services professionals with the demanding nature of the legal profession.

In short, our attorneys shape city skylines, influence boardrooms, and develop into unique, well-rounded professionals—whether at Fried Frank or elsewhere in your professional journey. We encourage you to join the Fried Frank family and stay connected with our ambitious, wide-ranging, and ever-growing community.