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Shartsis Friese LLP

Our Survey Says

Shartsis Friese has stayed true to its vision—smaller firm, high retention rates, lower billing rates, and top-notch legal services—since 1975. The hiring process takes into account matters such as grades, law school attended, and clerkship or work experience, but not as much as personality, legal skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. The work environment is professional, and people are down-to-earth and dedicated. Coworkers enjoy social activities together, though these have been hampered somewhat by the pandemic. Partners are open with associates and treat them as part of the team, especially given the small size of the firm, and take an active role in the performance review process. In lieu of formal training, associates learn by doing—with partners providing guidance and oversight as needed. Associates can expect high-level, substantive work assignments, which comes with the expectation that they will assume responsibility and lead roles for their work. Projects generally are distributed evenly. Shartsis Friese sets a doable 1,850-hour billable requirement for its associates, and both colleagues and clients understand the importance of work-life balance. Salaries are lower than the BigLaw standard, but bonuses allow associates to meet or exceed what BigLaw associates earn. Office technology needs to be updated, and wellness efforts—beyond attorneys looking out for each other—are minimal. The firm takes pro bono work seriously, with up to 100 hours attributable to the billable goal and pro bono clients receiving the same kind of attention as paying clients. Shartsis Friese is working to improve its initiatives and support for diversity measures. Prospects for partnership and counsel positions are encouraging, though associates also have opportunities to go in-house, to government positions, or back to BigLaw.

Shartsis Friese LLP

425 Market Street
11th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 421-6500

Firm Stats

Managing Partner: Arthur J. Shartsis
Recruiting Chair: Kajsa Minor
Total No. Attorneys (2022):
50 - 100
No. of Partners Named 2022:
1
Billable-Hour Requirement:
1850

Base Salary

1st year: $210,000
2nd year: $220,000
3rd year: $235,000
4th year: $265,000
5th year: $290,000
6th year: $310,000
7th year: $330,000
8th year: $340,000
9th year: $350,000
Summer Associate: $4038.50/week

Employment Contact

Jason White
Recruiting Coordinator
(415) 421-6500
jwhite@sflaw.com
general recruiting email: AttorneyHiring@sflaw.com

No. of U.S. Offices: 1

No. of International Offices: 0

Major Office Locations

San Francisco, CA

Major Departments

Corporate
Family Wealth Planning
Intellectual Property
Investment Funds & Advisors
Litigation
Real Estate
Securities Enforcement Defense
Tax
Venture Capital