Winston & Strawn LLP

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

With its strong history in Chicago and impressive global track record, Winston & Strawn presents great opportunities for interactions with partners, pro bono work, and meaningful professional experiences. Recruiting emphasizes academic prowess at elite law schools and geographic connections to local offices. Coworkers are easygoing, professional, collaborative, and respectful of personal lives outside the workplace. Partners value associates and are keen on providing helpful guidance and feedback on work product. In fact, both its formal and informal mentoring arrangements, as well as firm-sponsored training programs, are fruitful. Laterals feel that the firm does a good job onboarding and welcoming them. Significant, challenging projects assigned starting day one is the norm, and associates are encouraged to push for additional responsibilities. Winston & Strawn sets a reasonable billable target of 2,000 hours, 100 hours of which may be dedicated to non-billable work like pro bono work and firm citizenship and 50 hours of which can be DEI-related. Salaries and bonuses match the prevailing market rates, and associates can earn above-market bonuses for billing high hours. Firm technology is up-to-date and efficient, and the firm adopts new products, including AI tools. Wellness initiatives are extensive and appreciated, especially the counseling and career coaching resources offered. Pro bono hours are capped at 100 for the 2,000-hour billable expectation, but after the 2,000-hour threshold is reached, there’s no limit on the hours that count for additional bonuses. The firm’s diversity efforts, including programming, hiring, sponsorship, and promotion, are impressive. Counsel positions are both viable in the long term and a stepping stone to equity partnership, which seems attainable. External positions in-house, with the government, and at other firms are commonly secured.