Haynes and Boone, LLP - The Inside View

Certain choices come with certain considerations. For Haynes and Boone’s associates, reflecting on their reasons for joining the firm revealed it was a no-brainer. “That’s pretty easy,” said one. “If you want to do transactional work in Dallas, this is the best firm to be at.” While we find ourselves hard put to define ‘best’, we can, however, confirm the Texan titan’s certainly got a lot to show for itself in its home state. It’s here where HB picks up top-notch Chambers USA accolades for its local bankruptcy/restructuring, insurance, intellectual property (trademark, copyright, & trade secrets), appellate litigation, white-collar crime & government investigations, and employee benefits & executive compensation expertise. But that’s not all there is to HB’s story. The firm also holds its own on the national stage, garnering further recognition for its oil & gas litigation, derivatives, First Amendment litigation, franchising, and government contracts know-how.

“…confidence in their longevity.”

“We began in Texas 53 years ago and have grown considerably across dozens of practice areas,” managing partner Taylor Wilson underlines. The goal, as Wilson explains, is to be “a national firm with global reach with offices in London, Shanghai, and Mexico City.” It’s this very strategy which caught the attention of many an associate. “I wanted to be at a place where I felt confidence in their longevity,” one forward-thinking insider noted. With nearly 55 years under its belt, 19 offices, and 650 lawyers to boot, HB’s certainly showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Though over half of the firm’s 16 US offices are located outside the Lone Star State, Dallas remains the firm’s largest base and welcomes the majority of associates each year. And despite branching out far and wide, it’s very much the firm’s “values tied to Texas,” and “strong presence” in the state that drew in many of our sources.

Strategy & Future

Indeed, HB has come on leaps and bounds from its humble Texan roots. “We're growing quickly, perhaps most notably in the DC area, where we opened a new office in Northern Virginia with a focus on government contracts,” Wilson outlines of the firm’s recent growth. He goes on to add, “In five years, we've gone from just five lawyers in Charlotte to becoming one of the 10 largest finance firms in the city, and now we have a beautiful office to match that growth. London is also now our fourth-largest office, with 52 lawyers and a growing investment management practice."

That’s not to say the firm’s turned away from its Southern origins, however. “Also significant is that we relocated in Dallas last year to a brand-new building that is focused on creating a productive experience for both our employees and clients," Wilson highlights. “The modern amenities help us work together as a team and create an environment that we all want to be in every day.”

Read more from Taylor Wilson under the Get Hired tab.

The Work

The associates on our list worked across a number of different practices, though the majority were found in the patent prosecution, private equity, financial transactions, and capital markets/securities groups. Sources we spoke to across most practice areas explained that work assignment typically follows a free-market system where matters come “directly from the partner” or “through a mid-level or senior associate,” but some groups such as financial transactions use a staffing attorney to allocate incoming work. Though there were some minor qualms about getting enough work in a slow market, the majority of our sources appreciated the system: “Because I can reach out to partners I want to work with, I have more flexibility on what I’m working on.”

“You’re helping a client with their life’s work…”

Associates in the private equity group work on a range of matters, usually to do with M&A, across a number of sectors, including energy, legal tech, healthcare, and many more! Here, the firm works with buy- and sell-side clients on middle market deals in both the public and private sectors, and juniors are involved in all of it. “When you’re on the sell side, you’re helping a client with their life’s work, and you get to be a part of making them a lot of money which is pretty cool!” one associate enthused.  While interviewees told us their responsibilities often began with “handling most of the diligence and ancillary documents, coordinating with specialists, and generally keeping things organized,” their roles quickly evolved to being more “hands-on, with more client interaction.”

Private equity clients: Valesco Industries, Juniper Capital Management, Wingate Partners. Represented Trive Capital and its portfolio company, Karman Space & Defense, in its acquisition of MG Resin technology.

While HB’s capital markets/securities practice mainly deals with lender-side cases, associates were keen to note variety in their workloads: “I get to do something different every single day, which I love!” Our sources spoke of working with clients spanning from smaller early public companies to very large-scale ones, too. Responsibility-wise, “When you’re a first-year, diligence is kind of your main task,” an associate told us candidly. That said, come second year, “I really got to be a point person on deals and was staffed on actual large matters drafting support agreements, bidding agreements, and other ancillary documents,” they added. Associates attributed this rapid increase in responsibility to the firm’s middle market focus: “It means associates can get more responsibility on projects and run deals on our own (with a bit of help) very early on in our careers.”

Capital markets clients: Acorn Street Capital Management, RedHill Biopharma, Liberty Energy. Advised Beneficient in its $3.3 billion merger with Avalon Acquisition.

The firm’s intellectual property offering includes subgroups like patent prosecution and intellectual property litigation. The former handles patent applications, trademark portfolios, and technology transaction agreements, while the latter deals with USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office) proceedings and Federal Circuit appeals for a wide range of clients. Juniors’ responsibilities on such matters began with “keeping things organized, running closing checklists, and tracking documents,” and gradually ramped up to “much more experience drafting” as they progressed towards the end of their first year. Of course, variety is the spice of life, as one source was pleased to report: “I have a pretty fun practice in that I get to work on a lot of First Amendment immediate cases, but also a bunch of trademark and copyright cases.”

Intellectual property clients: Paypal, Cisco, Warner Bros. Discovery. Represented Strides Pharma in its $24 million acquisition of Endo International’s New York manufacturing facility, and various Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs).

Career Development

“I genuinely feel like the firm wants to keep us here,” our associate sources echoed. “They’re willing to invest early and really stick it out with their people.” That said, we did also hear from multiple sources that while formal mentorship does exist, as associates are assigned a mentor upon joining the firm, "most of what happens tends to be more organic.”

“…they started as first-year associates like me, and 20 years down the line they’re well into being partners.”

Regardless, our junior sources were impressed with the firm’s transparency regarding the path to partnership. “They make it clear that everyone who wants to be partner can be a partner,” and “are pretty open and honest as to where each associate is on that path,” we heard. “There are a lot of ‘lifers’,” one associate added. “They call them that because they started as first-year associates like me, and 20 years down the line they’re well into being partners.” This fact certainly didn’t go amiss among our survey respondents, around 80% of whom indicated partnership was an aspiration of theirs and a realistic one at HB!

Hours & Compensation

Billable hours: 1,800 target

While a number of juniors across the firm’s practices indicated that they’d be unlikely to hit the 2,000-hour target this year due to a slower market, they did reassure us that the target wasn’t expected of first-year associates. “That was communicated to us very early on,” associates made clear. “You’re not on thin ice if you don’t hit the target! You may not get your bonus, but they’re definitely not kicking you to the curb.”

Speaking of bonuses, one area where we heard a few qualms was around the allocation of bonuses. Insiders explained that “each group takes into account different things,” leaving a few of our sources scratching their heads… “I wish there was more transparency,” one interviewee noted. Thankfully, the firm reassured us that while hours are indeed taken into consideration, things like activity in recruiting, business development, and DEI all count towards your bonus as well, so make sure you get involved!

As far as a typical working day goes, sources reported clocking in at around 9am before heading out at around 6.30pm. The only caveat to that is if “you’re working on a live deal and everyone’s ordering dinner to the office.” Sources added, “There’s a general understanding that people respect your evenings and weekends, unless it’s a busy period – then it’s all hands on deck.”

Culture

“This is a BigLaw firm that feels like a small law firm, and that’s probably its most attractive feature,” one associate made clear. The tight-knit aspect of the firm was certainly top of mind for our interviewees: “I don’t feel like I have to tailor questions to certain people. I can talk to any of the partners about anything!” What’s more, HB partners were described by our sources as “very accessible. I walk into their offices all the time for support and advice.” Another added, “The firm leadership emphasizes the importance of culture,” – and it’s a top-down approach, indeed: “Everyone at the firm will go out of their way to get to know you as a person.”

Pro Bono

With up to 100 hours of pro bono able to count towards associates’ billable hours, associates sang nothing but praises for the firm’s pro bono efforts. “It’s very flexible. People bring their own pro bono matters to the table, too,” interviewees explained. In cases where a pro bono matter is set to take an associate over the 100-hour threshold, sources explained, “If you write an explanation for why, they’re pretty flexible about providing those hours as well.”

“There are things I’ve done pro bono that I don’t normally get to do in my everyday practice.”

“We’re heavily involved in our Dallas community, and the firm’s very supportive of that,” one local associate told us. Other mentions of pro bono from our interviewees included a family law case, immigration/asylum matters, first amendment free speech cases, and tax work. “There are things I’ve done pro bono that I don’t normally get to do in my everyday practice, so I’ve been able to learn more about it through my pro bono work!” an insider enthused.

Pro bono hours

• For all US attorneys: 15,812
• Average per US attorney: 28

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

“The firm’s done a really good job of elevating women and diverse women, too,” one associate noted of the firm’s DEI efforts. Case in point: 27% of partners at the firm are women compared to the market average of 24.2%. In regard to working mothers in particular, associates voiced that there was a lot of support available: “What’s lovely is that there are people in our firm who have chosen different career paths as working mothers, and the firm has really supported that.” In fact, according to our survey, almost 80% of respondents agreed that the firm makes partnership achievable for attorneys with children.

Sources were also keen to speak of the firm’s affinity groups – called Inclusion Networks – which focus on race/ethnicity, gender, veterans, LGBTQ+ lawyers, first generation lawyers, parents and caregivers, and many more. “Anyone can join any of them as an ally,” we heard. A few juniors voiced that “minorities are still largely unrepresented at the firm,” though it’s clear it’s something the firm’s well aware of. As part of their DEI initiatives, HB sponsored a panel discussion at the 2024 National Black Law School Association Conference (NBLSA) in Houston, and hosted a Diversity Retreat in Dallas in June 2023 for all of the firm’s diverse attorneys.

Get Hired 

OCI applicants interviewed: not tracked 

Interviewees outside OCI: 26 

Around 75% of 2L summers have completed either a 1L summer or other work experience at the firm before their 2L summer. The other 25% are found through OCIs, job fairs, resume collects, and direct applications.  

Attorneys (one partner and one associate) typically see around 20 candidates a day at OCIs and represent each office running a summer program. Brad Holdbrook, the firm's entry-level hiring partner, tells us that interviewers will be looking for candidates to demonstrate “effective communication skills, willingness to be an effective member of teams, leadership potential, commitment to community service, and an established motivation to succeed.” Typical inquiries of interviewees include requests to describe their accomplishments, motivations, why they are interested in Haynes Boone, and how they could add to the firm’s culture.  

Top tips for this stage:  

“Come prepared to discuss why our firm and/or certain practice areas are a fit for your skills, ask specific questions that relate to the firm or our clients, and explain how you can add to the culture at Haynes Boone.” – entry-level hiring partner, Brad Holdbrook  

Callbacks  

Applicants invited to second-stage interview: 16 from OCI + 26 interviews outside of OCI  

Callbacks consist of two to four 20-minute interview sessions, with the candidate meeting with two attorneys in each interview session. Holdbrook tells us that during the callback process, the firm is “particularly interested in a candidate’s reason for interest in our firm, the chosen city for which they are interviewing, and any practice areas the candidate may be interested in.” As such, during callbacks, candidates can expect the questions and conversation to be more focused on specific practice areas and markets.  

Top tips for this stage:  

"Be able to articulate your interest in the firm and office location. Describe your specific interest in, or ask questions about, practice areas in the office in which you are interviewing. Be prepared, but be yourself.” – entry-level hiring partner Brad Holdbrook  

Summer program  

Offers: 22 offers extended out of fall/spring recruiting in addition to 18 returning 1Ls  

Acceptances: 12/22 accepted  

Depending on office, summer associates sample two or more distinct practice areas in which they are interested. They are involved in client meetings, closings, negotiations, depositions, trials, and hearings. Typical tasks include drafting research memos, motions and briefs, and sampling a “broad range of transactional documents.” Holdbrook tells us that the firm has a “well-rounded approach to our summer programs that enables each summer associate to demonstrate their analytical, advocacy and writing skills. Our goal is for our summer program to model what life as an associate would look like.”  

The firm assigns each summer associate a partner supervisor, who oversees their work. Each summer associate also receives an associate mentor to “help answer questions and navigate the clerkship.” Summers also get to experience pro bono work, presentations, a public speaking seminar, CLEs, and training. Around 95-100% of 2L summer associates are given offers to join as associates and offers are usually extended for a specific department.  

Notable summer events: dinners, events and outings. “Social events throughout the summer are designed so the summer associates can meet a broad array of the lawyers in their office and fully experience the city in which they are clerking.”  

Top tips for this stage:  

“Take advantage of the resources provided by the firm, including the many attorneys that will make themselves available to you for guidance and mentorship.  Ask questions and pay attention to detail on assignments. Finally, pay attention to observe the way attorneys in your office interact with each other and the clients of the firm; that will give you invaluable insight into a day in the life of a future at Haynes Boone.” – entry-level hiring partner Brad Holdbrook  

Interview with Taylor Wilson, managing partner

Commercial strategy, market position and trends 

Chambers Associate: How would you define your firm’s current position and identity in the legal market?  

Taylor H. Wilson: We are a national firm with global reach with offices in London, Shanghai and Mexico City. We began in Texas 53 years ago and have grown considerably across dozens of practice areas. We are known for our strong emphasis on firm culture, teamwork and client-first focus. I think our clients and peers associate us with the word "stability." While some firms enter and exit markets and industries, we're on a steady path forward in all aspects, including strategic growth, recruiting (both entry-level and via laterals) and from a financial management perspective, where we are diligent to remain debt-free. 

CA: Have there been any developments at the firm over the past year that you’d like law students to know about?  

Wilson: Yes, there are several. First, we're growing quickly, perhaps most notably in the D.C. area, where we opened a Northern Virginia office last year with a focus on government contracts. We also just moved in Charlotte, due to rapid growth. In five years, we've gone from just five lawyers in Charlotte to becoming one of the 10 largest finance firms in the city, and now we have a beautiful office to match that growth. London is also now our fourth-largest office, with 52 lawyers and a growing investment management practice.  

Also significant is that we relocated in Dallas last year to a brand-new building that is focused on creating a productive experience for both our employees and clients. The modern amenities help us work together as a team and create an environment that we all want to be in every day. We've done the same in all of our new offices, including Mexico City, Denver, Austin, Charlotte, San Antonio and San Francisco, and that has been very exciting for our new attorneys. 

CA: Are there any domestic or international events/trends that are affecting any of the firm’s practices at the moment?  

Wilson: Rapid interest rate increases from the past year have had a significant impact on many of our clients, but we haven't seen that adversely affect our business. Our conservative financial approach has allowed us to excel not only during this time, but also historically in larger downturns, like during the pandemic and in the recession of 2008. I'm proud that we've remained without debt, and we haven't experienced hiring freezes or layoffs. Ultimately, this is incredibly helpful to our ability to continue recruiting at a high level.   

CA: What is your firm’s commercial strategy focusing on, and how do you expect the next year to unfold? 

Wilson: While we are a full-service firm with more than 40 practice areas, we do have particular momentum in some key areas that drove record revenue for us in 2023. Our business transactions department, specifically capital markets and mergers and acquisitions, has seen intense middle-market demand in a time when other firms report that they've experienced a downturn. It's been similar in our financial transactions department, including our finance and fund finance groups. We've also seen record levels of activity across our litigation and bankruptcy practices, and we anticipate that to continue, given market conditions. 

CA: You told us last year that you were ‘bullish on opportunities’ for your international offices. Do you have any updates on progression internationally, and is that still something you’re keen to develop? 

Wilson: We are intent on continuing our international development. Our London office is now our fourth-largest across the globe, and we've grown there this year by adding partners in venture capital, investment management and restructuring. We look at practice-specific areas of need around the world as we expand internationally, which is why we also added a transactional partner in Mexico City last year and remain focused on Asia and potential growth in the Middle East. 

Inside the Firm 

CA: How is the firm evolving to accommodate the needs/expectations of the next generation of lawyers? 

Wilson: We have an open channel of communication and a strong mentoring program for our young lawyers. Our DEI initiative and wellness efforts are among the strongest in the legal industry, and we're happy to see them ranked and awarded accordingly. And our attorney development program not only ensures that our young lawyers understand the expectations put upon them, but that they can also live up to and exceed those expectations, which is proven out by our low attrition rates.  

An important part of the experience we offer young lawyers is the opportunity to do interesting work for fascinating clients. We see that it creates a fulfilling work life for those lawyers. And lastly, we are a firm that embraces new technology, rather than running away from it. AI, for example, is an area we are exploring, because we know in the long run it will help our lawyers and our clients. I think Haynes Boone lawyers appreciate the technology we provide to help them be better at their jobs.   

CA: What’s the firm’s approach to bolstering diversity, equity, and inclusion?  

Wilson: This is personally very important to me, vital to our culture and something we've been dedicated to for many years. We are Mansfield-Plus certified, the American Lawyer ranked us 21st of 230 firms for DEI and the Chambers Associate Survey put us in the top 25, all of which we really appreciate. Strategic planning is in our firm's DNA, and the goal for us in DEI is to be a market leader, which we take very seriously and constantly strategically consider what that really means. This requires daily attention and work, not just internally but also with our clients who have similar values.  

The Fun Bit 

CA: Is there any advice you’d give to your younger self starting out your career? 

Wilson: Constantly read about what is happening in the world. It's rapidly changing, and it's easy to become too busy multitasking to take it in. Read the news, read books, read what your peers have to say. It's all part of a fascinating world around us. 

CA: The hours in BigLaw can be punishing. How do you unwind at the end of a long day/week? 

Wilson: I enjoy spending time with my wife. she is a doctor, and her profession is quite different from mine. We enjoy talking about the exciting and interesting things we do each day. That's how I unwind, and we are fortunate to have many common interests. 

CA: Is there a movie/TV show/books about lawyers or the legal profession that you particularly enjoy? And how accurate would you say it is? 

Wilson: I don't spend a lot of time watching movies or TV shows -- a result of being too busy. But my wife and I have enjoyed recently watching “Lincoln Lawyer.”