Job Responsibilities
As a litigator, I work with a partner and other associates to
learn the underlying facts, develop the strategy for a case,
communicate with the client and our adversary, conduct discovery
(including taking and defending depositions), research legal
issues, draft and file motion papers, argue motions in court,
develop settlement strategies, and take the case to trial as
necessary. I am also responsible for supervising and training
junior associates.
|
Job Requirements
Associates must complete a 4-year bachelor program, a 3-year JD
program (or 1-year LLM program if they attended a foreign law
school), and be admitted to the bar. Heavy weight is given to
the overall quality and reputation of the law school attended,
although we certainly consider other factors as well. We hire
most of our associates during their second year of law school.
They work for us during the summer between their second and third
years, after which we extend offers of full-time employment
following law school. We also hire some lateral associates who
are admitted to the bar and have other work experience.
Associates then join a "class" based on the year they graduated
from law school. They are generally considered for partnership
at the end of their 8th to 10th year of practice.
|
Uppers
The best part of being a litigator is the opportunity to continue learning new
things, contact with clients who depend on you for advice, the thrill of the
adversarial process, and working in a profession that is rewarding personally and
financially, and that allows you to direct the path of your career depending on
your interests and motivation.
|
Downers
The downers can include long hours and the inability to control
your schedule as urgent matters can come up with little or no
warning.
|
Lifestyle
We work long hours (nights and weekends are the norm), but there are certainly
opportunities to take time off, especially after you complete a big project.
There are many opportunities for business travel (I was recently in London for a
deposition, for example). There are also numerous firm social events, retreats,
etc. The dress code is business casual, although suits are the norm for client
meetings and court appearances.
|
Compensation
Compensation is relatively uniform among large law firms in urban
areas. Most law firms have "step" systems whereby compensation
is increased with your seniority. As a fifth year, my base
salary was $180,000 and I received an additional $75,000 bonus.
My salary as a sixth year is $195,000, and my bonus will be
determined at the end of the year.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
It is very important to prepare for the LSAT and go to a good law
school in order to compete for firm jobs. While judicial
clerkships are not required, they also help you compete for
jobs. While there are a lot of law students competing for jobs,
we are also constantly hiring, and are always on the look-out for
talented new lawyers.
|
|
