Our Survey Says
VAULT'S VERDICT:
Willkie Farr recruits associates from top law schools and the best students from lower-ranked schools who fit with friendly, welcoming, and collaborative colleagues. Partners are approachable and respectful of associates, and they are committed to giving associates responsibilities to help them develop professionally. Partners and senior associates are willing mentors who provide feedback and teaching moments. Firm training is held during first-year orientation, regularly through in-house sessions and CLEs, and informally during work on matters. Laterals are onboarded with their own orientation and trainings, as well as informal meetings with people at the firm. Work assignments are wide-ranging and challenging, and associates interact extensively with clients. Projects are distributed through a centralized assignment system. Willkie Farr does not have a billable hour requirement, although from 1,900 to 2,000 billable hours are expected, and the firm allows remote work two days per week. Compensation matches the BigLaw standard, with lockstep market bonuses. The firm’s technology infrastructure and programs ensure efficiency when working in the office and at home. Wellness offerings include meditation and yoga classes, gym membership subsidies, and counseling services. Pro bono work is highly encouraged, with unlimited hours allowed. Viable internal promotion prospects include counsel, non-equity partner, and equity partner roles, and exit options include positions in the government, in-house, and at other firms. Fitness reimbursements, home-buying credit, and child care assistance are among the firm’s perks.
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 728-8000
Chairmen: Tom Cerabino & Matt Feldman
Recruiting Chairs: Matthew Basil, Deb Bogo-Ernst, Tyler Born, Aaron Hersh, Jeff Michalik (Chicago); Sameer Advani, Melanie Medina (DC); Anne Barrett, Shaimaa Hussein (NY); Matthew Gurvitz, Thomas Baxter, Andres Cantero (LA); Tiffany Lee, Mike Brandt (Palo Alto); Nick Reddick, Barrington Dyer (San Francisco); Robert Jacobson, Omar Shariff (Houston); Chase Proctor, Wes Smith (Dallas)
Total No. Attorneys (2026):
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named 2026:
17
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
9th year: $435,000
Summer Associate: $225,000 annualized
New York
Sarah Collins
Associate Director, Legal Recruiting New York
(212) 728-3658
scollins@willkie.com
Chicago
Kendra Abercrombie
Professional Development and Legal Recruiting Manager – Chicago
(312) 728-9052
kabercrombie@willkie.com
Dallas, Houston
Tiffany Piccirilli
Director of Legal Personnel & Recruiting, Midwest
(713) 510-1730
tpiccirilli@willkie.com
Los Angeles
Marie Conemac
Legal Recruiting & Professional Development Specialist
(310) 855-3169
mconemac@willkie.com
Palo Alto, San Francisco
Stacy Coglianese
Professional Development & Recruiting Manager Bay Area
(415) 858-7470
scoglianese@willkie.com
Washington, DC
Maura Bashant
Associate Director, Professional Development and Recruiting
(202) 303-1281
mbashant@willkie.com
No. of U.S. Offices: 8
No. of International Offices: 8
New York, NY (HQ)
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Palo Alto, CA
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
Brussels
Frankfurt
Hamburg
London
Milan
Munich
Paris
Rome
Antitrust & Competition
Asset Management
Business Reorganization & Restructuring
Communications, Media & Privacy (DC office)
Corporate & Financial Services
Energy & Commodities
Environmental, Health & Safety (DC office)
Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits
Government Relations (DC office)
Insurance & Reinsurance
Intellectual Property
Litigation
Mergers & Acquisitions
Private Wealth
Private Equity
Real Estate
Tax
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.