Let’s build together.
Your development begins on day one and continues at every stage of your career. Our success is driven by the success of our people, which is why we invest deeply in hands-on experience, rigorous training and meaningful mentorship. Associates are trusted early with substantive work on complex, high-impact matters, gaining increasing responsibility as they grow.
We expect a lot from our lawyers — and we invest just as much in helping them succeed.
Training That Evolves With You
We offer a comprehensive development framework that grows with you over time. Associates are supported by a dedicated career coach who partners with them on short and long-term goal-setting, development planning, performance feedback and long-term career strategy — helping them navigate their growth with clarity and confidence.
Mentorship at Every Stage
Mentorship evolves with each stage of an associate’s career. As a junior associate, you will receive either group or one-on-one guidance. As a midlevel, you will benefit from individualized mentoring and informal support. As a senior associate, you will play an active role in mentoring others while refining your own leadership skills. Lateral associates receive enhanced advice and guidance from associate and partner advisors to ensure a seamless transition and integration into the firm.
We don’t believe in sink-or-swim. You’ll have clear guidance, honest feedback and people who want you to succeed. Our Associates Committee supports associate life at the firm by promoting dialogue and providing opportunities for firm leadership to receive input from associates on key issues that shape the associate experience.
A Culture of Belonging and Excellence
Our commitment to inclusion and diversity is not just a matter of good corporate citizenship, it’s a strategic imperative. We recognize and celebrate the diverse voices that individually and collectively enrich both our internal culture and the service we offer to our clients.
Investing in our people is an investment in our future. At Fried Frank, we hire the very best lawyers who value meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues, bring diverse perspectives to the table and embody Fried Frank core values.
We maintain six Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) open to all, including:
- Disability Inclusion Alliance
- EDGE (Ethnically Diverse Group of Employees)
- First-Generation Professionals / Social Mobility Network
- Pride Alliance
- Women’s Forum
- Working Families Resource Group
These groups build community, raise awareness through discussions and events and drive meaningful change within and beyond the firm.
Competitive Benefits
Our associates enjoy a generous, comprehensive and highly competitive compensation and benefits package.
Associates at all levels are eligible for year-end and special bonuses and may qualify for premium bonuses if they meet certain thresholds of qualifying hours.
First-year associates earn market-leading salaries, plus a transition bonus. We also offer an optional salary advance for new associates and reimburse expenses related to one bar exam. To support our first year associates as they begin the practice of law, they will be eligible to receive a full bonus regardless of hours.
Some of our distinguishing benefits and offerings include:
- Hybrid work schedule and generous time off policy
- Confidential support with onsite clinicians and care concierge services
- Expanded wellness program and generous fitness and wellness reimbursements
- Family building and fertility support, including adoption and surrogacy assistance
- Child and elder backup care, including access to tutoring and camps
- Flexible ramp up program for primary caregivers returning from parental leave
- Pet insurance
- Private banking services
- Loan and mortgage refinancing partnership
Learn more about our benefits.
Our Summer Program
An authentic introduction to associate life — with real work, real people, real impact.
Our 10-week summer program gives you an authentic introduction to associate life at Fried Frank:
- Real client matters
- Exposure and access to partners across practices
- Pro bono from day one
- Structured learning through the Summer Associate Academy
- Individualized partner and associate mentorship
- Close knit summer associate community from small class sizes
Summer associates attend client meetings, negotiations, closings and trainings — plus social events across our New York and Washington, DC, offices.