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Overview

Introduction

A V20 law firm, Ropes & Gray has a seat at the table of the most elite law firms. The firm is known for its private equity chops, as well as its overall strength across legal practice areas. Training and mentoring are key to the firm’s collaborative culture, which has no room for egos. Ropes & Gray is committed to providing high level representation for all its clients and cultivating a culture of friendly, collaborative attorneys.

Firm Stats


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Total No. Attorneys (2023)

1.5K - 2K

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No. of Partners Named (2022)

22

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Featured Rankings

Vault Law 100
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No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)

150


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No. of Summer Associates (2023)

170 total (156 2Ls; 14 1Ls)


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Base Salary

Base Salary (2023)
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Vault Verdict

Intelligence, hard work, and being a team player are cornerstones to getting a position at Ropes & Gray. Once at the firm, associates appreciate firm leadership espouses an open-door policy and regular, ongoing feedback on assignments. Training at Ropes is top-notch, with formal training programs throughout an associate’s career, and informal training and mentorship within specific practice areas. The culture at the firm is a major plus, with frequent social events sponsored by the firm and the various affinity groups. Associates like the central staffing system and feel the 1,900 billable hour requirement is manageable, especially given that unlimited pro bono hours and some diversity activities are counted towards the goal. Compensation is at market, and bonuses are not ...

About the Firm

With 13 offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Ropes & Gray is an international firm that prides itself on exceptional client service and cutting-edge work. A regular atop legal industry rankings, the firm is adept at assisting clients in complex, highly regulated industries like asset management, healthcare, life sciences, private equity, and technology. 

From Boston to Worldwide

John Codman Ropes and John Chipman Gray, Harvard Law grads, founded the firm in Boston in 1865. The Great Depression saw the firm develop its bankruptcy practice, the New Deal sparked the firm’s labor practice, and the creation of the SEC added financial reports to its services. By the 1960s, the firm had grown to nearly 75 attorneys. Today, the firm is home to more than 1,500 lawyer...

Associate Reviews

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  • “Lawyers socialize occasionally after hours and at firm-sponsored events—probably around twice per month. Lawyers and staff are extremely kind, professional, and considerate. My colleagues respect each other's time, and actively try to coordinate tasks to fit into everyone's very busy schedules. Interactions are pleasant and professional.”
  • “My practice group loves to socialize. We have plenty of formal and informal happy hours and dinners, and people are constantly roaming the halls to say hello. That being said, people are also incredibly understanding when you have outside commitments, or are busy and need to focus. It's a near-perfect balance.”
  • “Plenty of firm-sponsored events for offices, practice groups, and affinity groups throughout the year. There is a big emphasis on culture and collegiality from firm leadership, which helps ensure that attorneys feel welcomed, and encouraged to grow and succeed.”
  • “Ropes & Gray lawyers genuinely want to help one another succeed, and help clients achieve great results. We collaborate on matters in a way that I'm not sure other firms do. Even during busy periods, lawyers take the extra time to check in on their colleagues. In my experience, support is available no matter the circumstances.”

Why Work Here


Practicing law at Ropes & Gray puts you at the forefront of the legal and business developments shaping the industries that are transforming our world and creating new opportunities daily. Whether you’re starting or furthering your career, you’ll handle exciting, innovative work for an impressive roster of leading global clients. You’ll also hone your professional skills with a training program regularly recognized as the finest in the industry. Just as important, you’ll enjoy the benefits of our renowned collegial and collaborative culture.

Diversity at Ropes & Gray

"At Ropes & Gray, diversity and inclusion is an essential part of the firm's identity, and its commitment extends over several decades. To advance those efforts in the new decade, in early 2019, the firm hired an experienced Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Kia Scipio, from Fish and Richardson. Kia works collaboratively with the firm's diversity committee and its senior leadership, which includes the policy committee, practice group leaders, leaders of the affinity forums, and the directors of legal recruiting, professional development..."

Getting Hired Here

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  • “The firm does have training for interviewers. I think the firm is looking for smart, kind people who will be valuable team members, with an emphasis on diversity. We tend to hire from a broader range of schools than other peer firms, I believe.”
  • “We are looking for those with standout credentials who function best as members of dynamic teams. This is not a place for those who think they will thrive individually. What we really [focus] on is collaboration, and that is very valued here.”
  • “I appreciate that the firm hires from a diverse group of law schools, and seeks people who are hardworking, interesting, and kind. The firm also does a good job of hiring diverse candidates.”
  • “I can only comment on the things I heard when I was interviewing at the firm, but the firm seems to look for down-to-earth people who are not too full of themselves. Big egos are unwelcome here, especially among summer associates and juniors.”

Perks & Benefits


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