Our Survey Says
VAULT'S VERDICT:
Willkie Farr recruits associates from T14 schools and beyond, often hiring top talent from good local schools who are eager and team-oriented. Coworkers are enthusiastic, inclusive, and collaborative in settings that are relaxed. Partners are respectful and invested in associates’ personal and professional growth, and feedback and input go both ways. Associates learn through in-house CLEs and training seminars, retreats at specific tenure intervals, and senior attorneys who are willing teachers. The firm communicates expectations and staffs laterals on meaningful work early. Lean staffing means that associates experience a range of tasks, from administrative and junior-level to complex and challenging work. A central assigning system ensures that projects are distributed evenly, and pressure on associates is mitigated by Willkie Farr not having a billable requirement (though there is an informal goal of 1,800 hours). Salaries and bonuses—for associates in good standing—are lockstep and match the prevailing market rate. Technology equipment is good, but certain programs can be difficult to navigate or can run slowly, especially when working from home. Vacation days, fitness allowances, and sponsored events are appreciated wellness initiatives. Pro bono work is not only encouraged but expected, with constant communication and no limit placed on the hours that count as billable. Equity partnership is possible to achieve, and counsel and non-equity positions are available. Exit options include roles in-house, in the government, and at other firms.
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 (Chicago); Sameer Advani, Melanie Medina (DC); Laura Acker, Shaimaa Hussein (NY); Matthew Gurvitz, Thomas Baxter, Misty Stanford (LA); Tiffany Lee (Palo Alto); Nick Reddick, Barrington Dyer (San Francisco); Robert Jacobson (Houston); Chase Proctor (Dallas)
Total No. Attorneys (2025):
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named 2025:
19
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
Dallas, Houston
Tiffany Piccirilli
Director of Legal Personnel & Recruiting, Midwest
(713) 510-1730
tpiccirilli@willkie.com
Chicago
Kendra Abercrombie
Professional Development and Legal Recruiting Manager – Chicago
(312) 728-9052
kabercrombie@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
Carlita Head
Professional Development & Recruiting Manager
(202) 303-1343
head@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.