Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

One Nelson Mullins associate said it best: the firm is “a Southern firm with a Southern feel,” in all the good ways. Don’t be mistaken—the firm might have a Southern soul, but it operates on a national scale. Still, the firm values roots, and a big factor in getting hired here is demonstrating a true interest in the office and city in which you’re interviewing, along with strong credentials. The firm’s culture is relaxed and cordial, and partners follow an open-door policy that encourages associates to seek out support and build relationships. Socializing among attorneys and staff varies by office, but most associates report feeling satisfied with the amount of social interaction at the firm. Associates find the firm’s 1,900 billable hour requirement to be reasonable, but billable hours are not the only important measure at Nelson Mullins; the firm also has a “collections goal” for all associates, meaning the amount of fees collected on an associate’s matters minus the associate’s salary. Bonuses are tied to this collections goal, which some associates find frustrating given that associates often have little control over whether fees are collected, and collection amounts can vary by practice area. Compensation is below market in salaries, but in 2021 the firm did introduce a second, hours-based bonus. At the start of the pandemic, Nelson Mullins made wellness a major priority, but initiatives have dwindled recently. The firm offers an Associate Training Program, and associates say individual partners take mentorship responsibilities seriously. The partnership process is transparent and lockstep to non-equity partner, but moving from non-equity to equity partner is more opaque.