Logo

Overview

Introduction

Fried Frank associates work on complex legal matters in a top-to-bottom friendly and social environment across five global offices and over 650 attorneys. The firm prioritizes its people and communities, with associate perks like generous wellness offerings—including fitness stipends and an associates-only lounge in the New York office—and a strong dedication to pro bono work.

Firm Stats


More

Total No. Attorneys (2023)

500 - 750

More

No. of Partners Named (2023)

13

More

Featured Rankings

Vault Law 100
img


More

No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)

93


More

No. of Summer Associates (2023)

91 total (87 2Ls; 4 1Ls)


More

Base Salary

1st year: $225,000
img

Vault Verdict

Ask about Fried Frank in the legal industry and you’ll almost certainly hear about the firm’s powerhouse Real Estate department—but ask Fried Frank associates about the firm, and you’ll absolutely hear about the firm’s exceptional culture. Despite its solidly high BigLaw ranking and formidable presence, associates praise the “small firm” environment that still comes with BigLaw perks. The firm prioritizes maintaining that culture in its hiring process, which goes beyond the T14 schools for the right candidates (although grades, journal experience, and work experience still weigh heavily). Associates say that kindness is the name of the game at Fried Frank, from junior associates all the way to the partner level. Associate development is cultivated and nurtured through both formal ...

Firm's Response

Fried Frank has had near unrivaled financial success within the legal profession over the past half-decade. Our highly commercial and collaborative approach has helped garner a prestigious client base of major corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions that consistently seek our attorneys’ advice on their most complex and s...

About the Firm

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises many of the world’s leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on their critical legal needs and business opportunities. With approximately 650 lawyers in North America, the U.K., and Europe, the firm excels in corporate, litigation, real estate, and tax work.

An Impressive Crew

Fried Frank traces its history to the turn of the 20th century when a group of German-Jewish lawyers began practicing in New York City in the 1890s, a time when most New York firms did not employ Jewish lawyers. In 1929, Walter J. Fried (pronounced “Freed”) joined the firm as an associate who focused on real estate law. Fried practiced with the firm until his retirement in 1979. In the 1950s, Fried was a pioneer in the movement...

Associate Reviews

info

  • “The firm's culture is a good one. The individual teams are supportive and provide new joiners with the training they need to succeed. There are constant team meetings with lunch, as well as holiday parties and occasional gatherings for attorneys to socialize. Lawyers and staff interact collegially and respectfully.”
  • “Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. It is an environment that encourages questions and takes the time to train.”
  • “I personally don't enjoy participating in after-hours social events with my firm, but I absolutely love the culture here. My main thing is that EVERYONE is expected to be nice. No one is allowed to get away with treating anyone else poorly just because they're ‘busy’ or because of their position vis-a-vis one another. It really makes the working environment so much more pleasant.”
  • “Our firm is full of fun and kind people. Being in the office does not bring the intense and unenjoyable atmosphere that is notorious in BigLaw firms. Often people in our class will grab drinks at happy hour if we have time, and I have made some amazing friends just from being in the office.”

Why Work Here


Dynamic Practice, Compelling Work

Fried Frank associates play an essential role in the firm’s delivery of top-notch legal services to its client base, which comprises the world’s largest investment banks and financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and other multinational industry leaders. Working at a global law firm with offices in the world’s principal financial centers, associates at Fried Frank are continually involved in complex, high-profile matters involving the sophisticated cross-border work for which the firm is well known. As vital members of the firm, Fried Frank associates are given a high level of responsibility and are immersed in significant matters from their first day, with ample opportunity to interact with clients and work closely with partners.

Diversity at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

"Fried Frank is committed to being the best law firm it can be, in part through creating an environment where the best people are hired, developed, and eventually promoted. Supporting this key firm initiative is an independent Diversity and Inclusion Office (the "D&I Office"), headed up by the Director of Diversity & Inclusion, who is supported by a Diversity & Inclusion Manager and a Professional Development and Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator. In conjunction with the Firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the D&I Office drives the..."

Getting Hired Here

info

  • “I believe the firm is looking for candidates that fit well into the firm's congenial, collegial culture. I do not believe the firm relies solely on law school name or grades. Clerkship experience is highly valued, and a market clerkship bonus is provided.”
  • “I think there is a somewhat diminishing emphasis on schools—we still look for the most competitive candidates from highly-ranked institutions, but I don't think there is as strong an emphasis on the ‘T14’ as there used to be. Strong students from a wide array of schools should feel encouraged to apply to Fried Frank.”
  • “We have interview training and guidelines that we follow to ensure that we're asking consistent questions to applicants and removing as much bias from the process as we can. I believe the firm prioritizes hiring people who are going to be good members of a team, and are naturally curious. There are plenty of people who can be trained to become good attorneys, but it is much more difficult to find people that are able to perform at that level and are interested in fostering a collaborative and inquisitive environment.”
  • “...The [New York office] seems to hire largely from New York law schools, but does not just focus on the top-ranked schools (e.g. Cardozo, Brooklyn, NYLS)—something I think is also very valuable and important. I think they value grades, of course, but you do not need to be the top of your class. I think they like to see leadership and a go-getter type of individual, and not necessarily just the person with the best grades."

Perks & Benefits


Circle icon
Circle icon
Circle icon
Circle icon
Circle icon
Circle icon