Goodwin

Our Survey Says

 VAULT'S VERDICT:

For compensation and pro bono work, Goodwin is at the forefront. Hiring focuses on academically accomplished students with experience (i.e., journal, work, or clerkship) from T14 schools in geographic proximity to the hiring office. Coworkers are collaborative and supportive, both personally and professionally, including approachable partners who are invested in associates’ development. Partners and senior associates provide fruitful feedback and hands-on learning opportunities, which are augmented by firmwide and practice area training programs. Lateral hires, unfortunately, are largely on their own for onboarding and integration. Work assignments become more substantive with experience, and associates are encouraged to push to take greater responsibilities. Central staffing tries to balance how projects are assigned, but disparities, based on experience and prior working relationships, remain. Goodwin sets a reasonable billable requirement of 1,950 hours, and there is some work-from-home flexibility. Compensation matches the high end of the industry scale, and the firm offers “night out” and vacation bonuses for meeting the hours target. Firm tech, including some AI tools, is generally dependable but could use some improvement. Wellness initiatives, including the “Recharge on Goodwin” (i.e., the vacation bonus) program, counseling, and exercise programs, are appreciated. Associates really like Goodwin’s commitment to pro bono work, with a wide range of offerings and unlimited hours that count as billable. The firm has been proactive in creating advocacy communities, events/activities, and recruiting to increase diversity, but retention and promotion of lawyers from underrepresented groups could be better. Non-equity partnership and counsel roles are sound alternatives to making equity partner, which is possible but difficult. Many attorneys transition to roles in-house, at nonprofits, or with the government.