Your Career at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
"Although Kelley Drye is a big firm, it is not the typical big firm experience."
Our associates are given every opportunity that other large firms offer but recognize and appreciate the collegial environment at Kelley Drye. Our partners have an open door policy and encourage associates to speak with them about questions or issues. We value our human capital and see all of our associates as contributors to the successes of the Firm.
“My favorite part of the summer program was getting to meet people from different practice groups and learning about their experiences and the opportunities available in each practice.”
We know that many law students may not have clear ideas about the direction their legal careers will go. Our summer program is hands-on and provides the opportunity to do real, substantive work in a variety of areas. A summer at Kelley Drye is fast-paced and busy. Work assignments, practice group presentations and training sessions give summer associates an idea of what we do, and social events and lunches allow them to get to know who we are.
"At Kelley Drye, you get significant experience as a junior associate. Sometimes you are brought into meetings with clients and opposing counsel almost immediately."
Our associates are given significant responsibility at early stages in their careers. They have opportunities to meet with clients, take depositions, represent clients at administrative proceedings, and draft and negotiate agreements. Our associates are given as much responsibility as they can manage regardless of their class year, and thus develop stronger and more practical skills at a junior level. To further our attorneys' professional growth and development, our attorneys are encouraged to participate in a variety of in-house training programs, including communication skills, one-on-one writing coaching, business development discussions and practice specific programs. The Firm's mentoring program offers our new associates, as well as our summer associates, opportunities to develop meaningful personal and professional relationships with our associates and partners.
"The Firm truly values pro bono work and encourages us to actively participate in cases."
We encourage and support pro bono work and treat all pro bono matters with the same importance as those for other clients; we make all of our resources available for pro bono representations. Associates regularly make court appearances and meet with pro bono clients and their achievements are reported in the Firm's internal newsletter alongside other firm news. Summer associates are encouraged to work on pro bono matters, and cases are taken on every summer specifically for summer associates. Kelley Drye recently appointed a Pro Bono Counsel, whose sole responsibility is the administration and supervision of the Firm’s pro bono program.
“At Kelley Drye diversity and inclusion are core values”
At Kelley Drye, we recognize that talent comes in many forms. For law firms to succeed, they must nurture talent in its multiplicity of forms and offer opportunities to excel. The Firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion spans several areas, including pipeline initiatives, community and industry outreach, associate retention and professional development, women’s initiatives, and client partnership programs. Kelley Drye prides itself on not only being a great multi-service firm, but a great place to work.
"Because we understand each client's business, we approach every matter in a better position to give proactive advice."
Kelley Drye's clients are highly diverse, which reflects the breadth of our practice across a variety of industries and geographic regions throughout the world. Servicing over 30 practice areas, our attorneys have the opportunity to work on diverse matters with companies across the world and with other Kelley Drye attorneys across the country. The Firm also represents numerous small and mid-sized companies, as well as individuals.
