Goodwin

Our Survey Says

 VAULT'S VERDICT:

Goodwin hires associates from T20 and top regional schools near hiring offices. The firm looks for good grades, work experience, and personalities that fit in the firm culture. Colleagues are pleasant, respectful, and kind, and they enjoy firm-sponsored events and organic interactions. Partners are approachable, reasonable, supportive, and invested in associate development. They welcome questions, stepping in along with senior associates as helpful mentors. Formal training is offered to new associates, to associates by class year and practice area, and to associates firmwide. Laterals integrate through regular check-ins, mentorship, and professional development. Associates are challenged with substantive projects that meet or exceed their class and experience levels and are included in client communication. Goodwin’s 1,950-hour billable requirement includes pro bono, training, and firm citizenship hours, and compensation is in line with BigLaw standards. Associates report receiving up-to-date software and AI tools. Wellness offerings include counseling sessions, career coaching, and physical therapy. The firm encourages and values pro bono work, with unlimited hours counting as billable. Counsel, non-equity partner, and equity partner are realistic career options at Goodwin, and those who leave go to other firms, to the government, or in-house. Perks include the Recharge on Goodwin initiative, through which attorneys receive a meaningful stipend after meeting a quarterly hour target, and a fun fund that attorneys can use to organize social events.

FIRM'S PERSPECTIVE:

At Goodwin, we live your business. We are a firm of insiders relentlessly focused on understanding the pulse within six industries: healthcare, investment funds, life sciences, private equity, real estate, and technology. This means that we deliver unprecedented client value through a unique combination of industry knowledge, legal excellence, and business advisory expertise—all powered by our high-performance culture. 

Goodwin is a recognized leader across the markets we serve. We are consistently ranked among the most active firms for private equity and M&A transactions globally. Our investment funds practice represents many of the world’s leading sponsors and investors. In life sciences and healthcare, our lawyers advise companies and investors through the entire growth cycle, from startup to IPO to industry-defining litigation. And across technology and real estate, we help innovators and capital providers navigate the deals, financings, and disputes that shape their industries.

Litigation is a cornerstone of our practice. Our trial and appellate teams represent clients in complex commercial cases, securities and shareholder disputes, and intellectual property battles that can set industry precedents. By combining deep subject-matter knowledge with innovative strategies, we help clients protect critical assets, resolve high-stakes conflicts, and safeguard long-term enterprise value.

With more than 1,800 lawyers collaborating across offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia, Goodwin builds integrated teams tailored to each client’s needs. We pride ourselves on a culture that rewards collaboration, creativity, and accountability. Whether advising on a cross-border deal, protecting breakthrough technologies, or litigating a bet-the-company case, we partner with clients to seize opportunities, defend what matters most, and achieve lasting success.