Patterson Belknap

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Patterson Belknap prioritizes candidates with federal clerkship experience in its hiring process, with a focus on attorneys from top schools. Associates describe the firm’s atmosphere as welcoming, collaborative, friendly, and polite. Attorneys come into the office three days a week (supported by a technology stipend) and socialize at firm-sponsored events that create opportunities to form mentoring relationships and find friends. However, associates also say they have space for lives outside of work. The firm’s partners are kind and respectful toward associates, and they often take the time to get to know associates while working on leanly staffed teams that provide opportunities for client interaction and depositions. The firm also uses a generalist model that lets associates take on diverse caseloads. The partnership updates associates on firm finances in quarterly town hall meetings, and associates undergo rigorous annual performance reviews. The firm’s billable hours requirement is 1,850, with all pro bono hours after the first 120 counting toward the threshold, and affects bonuses but not base pay. (The firm has had 100 percent of attorneys reach 20 annual pro bono hours for more than 20 years). The compensation follows market rates, including matching for special bonuses, through an associate’s first six years. Associates say that the process to make partnership is unclear, but that exit opportunities are strong. Notable perks include a mentoring budget, parental leave, backup childcare, and a business development budget.