Highlights Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Highlights Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Firm Overview

Founded in San Francisco in 1863, Orrick offers a diverse set of practice capabilities and a platform that spans both coasts of the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Orrick’s practice mix is strategically balanced between litigation and transactional matters. Our strategy is to be among the leaders in every area in which we practice. Our winning record at trial sets us apart from other litigation firms, while we offer one of the most sophisticated finance practices in the world.

Whether a particular engagement is domestic or international in nature, our global scope enhances the quality of our representation, enabling us to provide advice with a view to the potential impact on our client’s business activities worldwide.
 
Our Survey Says

Notable Perks

• Subsidized in-office cafeteria
• In-office gym
• “O-baby” offers a free exchange of baby and child gear
• Jeans and Generosity: last Friday of every month, all lawyers and staff can wear jeans if they contribute a certain amount to that quarter's designated charity in the DC office.  The west coast offices have casual Fridays.

Associate Life

Satisfaction:

• “Orrick is a great place to work. I have lots of opportunities to do challenging legal work and I really love the people I work with.” –DC associate
• “The people I work with are amazing, the tenor of the office is relaxing and supportive and my pay is off the charts. I feel very lucky.” –senior associate
• “The type of work I've been given has been challenging, and has given me tremendous opportunities for growth. The partners I've worked with have always been on the lookout to make sure I get the right mix of opportunities.” –IP associate
• “The firm has good procedures in place to help associates manage their workload and is quite responsive to any voiced preferences regarding work assignments. There is also a strong focus on training and mentoring which proves helpful.” –litigator
• “I am given good work, opportunity for client contact, and the appropriate amount of guidance while still affording me the freedom to work independently.” –New Yorker

Firm Culture

• “The firm's culture is quite informal and relaxed. Lawyers socialize together by organizing all kinds of events.” –junior associate
• “Orrick has a very strong culture. Most of the attorneys have families and other outside interests and, therefore, there isn't a lot of after-hours socializing among the attorneys. However, we enjoy our working relationships and have a great deal of respect for one another. The environment is very collegial and supportive.” –DC contact
• “Orrick is fairly liberal politically, but reserved socially and professionally. Lawyers tend to socialize with family and friends outside of work; they also tend to have hobbies and interests outside of work. Not a work hard, play hard type firm—more a work hard, take the kids to the park on the weekend type firm.” –Clean Tech associate
• “The friends I have made at Orrick are incredible. I am proud to be at a place where my colleagues can also be considered friends.” –Real Estate associate
• “The firm culture - especially in the Seattle office - is extremely collegial. While there may not be a lot of out of work socializing, the office is extremely close knit.” –Seattle associate

Associate/Partner Relations

• “Partners and associates work together, and generally in small enough teams so that associates have a lot of substantive interaction with the partners. I chose Orrick over some other firms in part for my feeling that the partners do not act like there is not much of a hierarchy here. And, that has proven to be true.” –junior contact
• “Our partners listen to associate input and questions and respond with thoughtful, meaningful feedback. Their engagement with you is marked by a sincere concern for your development as an associate. I have found our partners to very much embody our firm's core value of cooperation and individual respect.” –Portland associate
• “Partners say please and thank you and in many ways, and treat associates like equals.” –San Francisco associate
• “Partners at Orrick are very respectful and seem genuinely interested in teaching and encouraging the success of associates.” –junior associate
• “I love the partners in my group. They are respectful of my time and appreciative of my hard work.” –Labor & Employment associate

Office Space

• “I love our building -- full of natural light and great views.” –San Francisco contact
• “Our office moved  in April 2010. The space is designed to be new and bright.” –New Yorker
• “Brand new building, excellent space and features.” –DC associate
• “Great location right off freeway. Amazing cafe. Three beautiful buildings. Great landscaping. Very happy with our location.” –Menlo Park associate
• “Spacious, modern and up to date office space” –Portland associate

Hours/Compensation

 Schedule

• “The job requires a significant amount of hours. In this economy being busy is not a bad thing though. Face time is not a requirement. As long as the work gets done, it generally can be done at home.” –IP contact
• “Work hours are manageable and allows associates to have a life outside the office.” –junior associate
• “Have been very busy, but manageably so; being on the busy side is welcome in this market.” –Menlo Park contact
• “I set my schedule and work a very reasonable amount of hours.” –senior contact
• “I'm working a reduced schedule, which is the best thing to happen to my big firm career.” –International associate
• “The maternity leave program works well. Associates get 4 months paid leave, although many take 6 (with two months unpaid).” –San Francisco associate  

Compensation

• “I appreciate my salary and feel I am more than well compensated.” –Labor & Employment associate
• “Kudos are due to the firm for the revamped bonus system, which seems to as advertised truly not be hours-based.” –midlevel associate
• “I was not on target to meet my hours before I started maternity leave but still got a bonus. That was unexpected and awesome. Compensation is generally very generous.” –female associate
• “Average compensation with above market bonus.” –IP associate

Training

• “Formal training at Orrick is excellent, and I recently attended a multi-day training program geared specifically to my practice.” –Seattle associate
• “There is always an opportunity for training lurking around the corner, upstairs in a conference room, or coming in to your inbox. I feel like I have the tools to begin building a successful career.” –litigator
• “The mentoring program here in the Menlo Park office is great. Senior Associates look after younger associates very well.” –Menlo Park contact
• “My best training has come one-on-one from more senior associates and partners in case specific situations.” –San Francisco associate

Diversity and Inclusion

• “The firm spends a lot of time an effort on these issues.” –corporate associate
• “Orrick cares about diversity and recruits in a way that demonstrates this level of care.” –junior associate
• “Orrick is very committed to diversity efforts. We regularly win awards and we have firm leaders who are minorities or GLBT” –New Yorker

Overall Business Outlook

• “Morale is good and our numbers are better than the competition. I think Orrick has figured out how they can weather the recent financial storm and they're doing a great job.” –San Francisco contact
• “It looks like we are well positioned to grow. The firm is well managed, and quite transparent when compared to other large firms.” –junior associate
• “I've always felt that our firm is very well managed. Sure we took our lumps in the economic downturn, but so did everyone else, and we appear to have responded well to very challenging economics, and are on the upswing earlier than many of our peers. It is reassuring to know that the folks at the top ‘get it.’” –IP associate
• “We have a strong business outlook and have handled the downturn in the economy well. We have great firm leadership and are committed to being the best firm from economic, client service and employee culture standpoints. Our firm strives to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of our clients and outperform our competitors.” –Labor & Employment associate