Pillsbury

Our Survey Says

 VAULT'S VERDICT:

When hiring associates, Pillsbury values academic achievement and clerkship experience but looks at candidates from a variety of schools. Candidate fit matters most in the firm’s hiring because associates should mesh with Pillsbury’s friendly, collaborative, and easygoing people. Associates often eat lunch together in the company canteen, connect at company parties, and chat in the hall. Pillsbury partners go out of their way to acknowledge associate contributions and support their career growth. They often work one-on-one with associates, assigning substantiative work and creating opportunities to lead on smaller projects. Each first-year associate receives two formally assigned mentors and 150 hours creditable for training. Associates receive two in-person performance reviews per year, plus regular presentations on the promotion path, contributing to a transparent journey toward partnership, which is seen as attainable. Pillsbury requires associates to work in the office three days per week, and associates say that the billable hours requirement is reasonable. In addition to the 150 training hours allotted to first-year associates, 300 pro bono hours count as billable, and the firm requires a minimum of 25 pro bono hours. Associates receive market salaries and market bonuses, with opportunities for above-market bonuses kicking in when 2,200 and 2,400 hours are billed. Discretionary bonuses are also available. The firm offers senior counsel and special counsel positions. Most associates who leave go to in-house roles. Perks include free mental health sessions with a therapist, a pet care stipend, and business development budgets for travel.