Nixon Peabody LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT

Nixon Peabody’s history is one of mergers and acquisitions—the merging of two firms in 1999 and acquisitions of several other firms since that have led to its present prominent place in the legal marketplace. At Nixon Peabody, associates will engage in sophisticated legal work and will be able to maintain a decent work-life balance. The firm does not hire from specific feeder schools, but each office looks at students with good grades from local schools. Associates must be hard-working and affable to fit into the friendly office dynamic in which people enjoy interacting with one another. Partners value associates and their efforts, and work with and treat associates as peers, not subordinates. Associates have access to training materials and other resources to get acclimated, and find no shortage of more senior attorneys willing to provide support and answer questions. This mentoring scheme helps associates as they take on substantive assignments, which are allocated evenly. Nixon Peabody’s billable hour requirement is manageable—at or below the average for other BigLaw firms—so that associates don’t feel overwhelmed. Certain non-billable hours, such as those dedicated to pro bono or diversity efforts, are credited to the overall goal. Pro bono work is encouraged, and up to 60 hours (unless approved for more) count as billable. Diversity-related activities count as billable hours up to 40 hours, and the firm sponsors resource groups for historically marginalized groups. Associates dislike that compensation is below market and hope that wellness efforts might improve to offset the lower pay. Firm technology is solid and innovative, and associates like career prospects for partner, counsel positions, or in-house.