Polsinelli

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Polsinelli hires hardworking associates with an excellent academic record from a set list of top national and local law schools. The office culture is friendly and relaxed, and coworker interactions are pleasant and frequent. Life outside of work is respected. Partners are accessible and collaborative, giving feedback so associates can learn and grow professionally. Some practice groups offer structured training programs, and associates receive on-the-job guidance from both assigned and informal mentors. A retreat helps lateral hires transition into the firm. Associates take meaningful assignments and responsibility, and client contact is plentiful. The billable requirement for first-year associates is 1,900 hours, and it is 2,000 hours for associates in years two through four. Associates can choose tracks of either 1,800 or 2,000 hours for their fifth year. Compensation is lockstep at the market rate for junior associates, but after year three, the compensation is a black box. Various AI tools help associates work efficiently, though the laptops need to be updated. Wellness offerings include a Headspace account. Fifty hours of pro bono work are creditable, and there is a pro bono committee that is open to associate-initiated projects. Career prospects include promotion to staff attorney, counsel, and income partner. Making equity partner is difficult but possible for those with a book of business. Associates who choose to leave can land in favorable positions in-house or at other firms.