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

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Few firms, if any, have a rich and impressive history like Fried Frank. Partners of the firm have represented the families of Holocaust victims, one founded the Peace Corps, and one has been elevated to the Supreme Court. As an elite firm, Fried Frank hires largely from T14 schools, as well as top performers from other New York and DC law schools. Beyond academic prowess, the firm looks for hard-working team players who will fit in and work well with others. Associates can expect a collaborative, friendly work environment in which people respect personal lives and weekend plans. This welcoming ethos extends to lateral and clerk hires, too. Partners treat new attorneys respectfully and take the time to answer their questions. Fried Frank offers a significant amount of useful training programs to associates, who also benefit from assigned mentors and others who are eager to assist when asked. And invariably there are questions because new Fried Frank associates are expected to take on challenging legal work. Associates must work hard to meet the 2,000-hour billable requirement, and a staffing coordinator helps distribute work evenly. For their work, associates are paid well—at market rate, which the firm is quick to match—and can receive bonuses for exceeding this threshold. Bonus eligibility includes a lot of pro bono hours (300), which the firm strongly encourages. The firm is dedicated to improving its technology, which is adequate but not great, and to promoting diversity initiatives. Fried Frank advances attorney wellness with efforts like counseling and stipends for fitness equipment. Associates have abundant opportunities to make partner, advance to counsel roles, or segue to in-house, government, or non-profit positions.