2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE PREMIUM SPONSOR Orrick

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Orrick seeks associates who have excellent academic records, work experience, and likable personalities. The hiring process is competitive but not focused on any particular law schools. People in the office are friendly and professional. Partners are accessible, and they value and respect associates. They advance associate professional development through close collaboration and direct guidance, which is supplemented by strong formal training offered through bootcamps, practice-group-specific sessions, and an on-demand platform. Training opportunities extend to lateral hires, who are staffed on deals quickly. Work assignments are varied and substantive, with opportunities to take increasing responsibility and interact with clients. To be in the best position to earn a merit bonus, Orrick associates should have 1,950 bonus-eligible hours, of which at least 1,800 should be client billable; the remaining hours can include pro bono time, “unplugged” vacation time, and up to 100 hours of training, recruiting, business development, and other firm contribution activities. Compensation matches the market standard, and bonuses are based on both hours and merit. A dedicated IT team supports updated systems and software, including AI tools, with regular training. The firm provides wellness resources through stipends, subscriptions to health-related resources, sponsored events, and “unplugged” vacation time that counts as billable. Orrick expects 20 hours of pro bono work per year, and although pro bono hours do not count as billable for the hours requirement, they are counted for bonus eligibility. Associates see opportunities for advancement to career associate, counsel, and equity partner. Those who leave the firm move in-house or lateral to other firms.

FIRM PERSPECTIVE:

We focus on four sectors driving the global economy: Tech & Innovation, Life Sciences, Energy & Infrastructure and Finance. Within sector, you’ll have a practice focus: transactional, litigation or regulatory.

• Our clients include 5,000 venture-backed companies, 13 of the 25 largest public tech companies, 500+ AI companies, renewable energy innovators, financial institutions, and 700+ fintech companies.

We aim to be part lawyer, part business counselor, part technologist – because we believe it’s what the future demands.

• You’ll make an impact on today’s most important issues through cutting-edge work with disruptive companies and our strong pro bono practice (No. 6 for breadth of commitment—AmLaw).

You’ll attend four immersive development academies, including a mini-MBA, as you advance in your career as well as biannual retreats with your team.

We invest in innovation through AI-powered tools, and Innovation Attorneys provide practice-specific, 1:1 coaching.

• Our platform includes a suite of best-in-class technologies plus our bespoke AI platform, on which our team averages 3,100 daily prompts, and 35+ bespoke solutions created by Orrick Labs in collaboration with our lawyers.

We are led by a Board and Management Committee that is the most inclusive in BigLaw (52%), and we offer 20+ inclusion networks, including Black Lawyers of Orrick, First-Generation Lawyers, Parents, DiversAbility and Interfaith Inclusion Networks.

We make hard work sustainable through wellness awards.

The Orrick experience delivers all of this, plus a meaningful opportunity to become our partner, move in-house with one of our clients, or take your career wherever you want to go.