Lateral Look: Cahill Gordon & Reindel

This New Yorker promises plenty of finance work with a free-market style… and you can take that to the bank.

If it’s excellence in the financial sector and capital markets you’re after, here’s one firm you can hedge your bets on. Our sister publication Chambers USA puts Cahill firmly among the best in the country for banking & finance and high-yield capital markets – the latter is actually one of three capital markets rankings the firm has to its name. Cahill also has a strong litigation practice, which is closely connected to finance too: insurance litigation is another highly ranked practice for the firm. In the Big Apple specifically, the firm nabs up some more rankings in environment, First Amendment litigation, white-collar crime, and finance-related litigation.

Finance aficionados were drawn to Cahill’s name as a quintessential New York firm that’s comfortable in the company of the financial elite. Clients include wall Street banks and Fortune 500 companies, from J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse to the likes of Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. In addition to its New York HQ, Cahill also has offices in DC and London.

View the firm's Chambers USA rankings here>>

Why did associates choose Cahill?

Expertise in financial sector and flexibility to work in multiple practice groups.”

All of my interactions with partners, associates, and staff who I met through the interview process were kind, intense, and independent. These are qualities that I believe that I possess as well and I wanted to bring them to a firm where I believed they would be valued.”

 

Strategic recruitment focuses 2022

Capital markets & lending careers

The view from the firm: Widely recognized as a leading law firm in leveraged finance, Cahill has long and close working relationships with many prominent international banking institutions. Cahill corporate lawyers regularly participate in some of the most significant deals in the marketplace. Its capital markets and lending practice represents lenders and borrowers in loan financings, underwriters and issuers in debt, equity and equity linked securities offerings and dealer managers and solicitation agents in exchange offers, tender offers and consent solicitations, in leveraged, distressed, high-grade and cross-over credits. Cahill also represents mezzanine lenders and private equity investors in leveraged and strategic transactions. 

Capital markets clients: Deutsche Bank, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo

Recent highlight: Cahill represented J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse as initial purchasers in high-yield financings totaling $2.4 billion for Calpine Corporation.

M&A careers

The view from the firm: Cahill advises public and private corporations, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, and boards and special committees across a variety of industries in connection with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, spin-offs and other significant strategic transactions. The firm also advises clients on acquisition finance, growth equity and other minority investments, governance, disclosure and compliance matters, providing its clients a single point of contact and delivering exceptional efficiency.

M&A clients: Cable One, Shutterstock, Allied World, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Trevi Health

Recent highlight: Cahill represented 1-800-FLOWERS.COM in its $245 million acquisition of PersonalizationMall.com, an online vendor of personalized products.

Litigation careers

The view from the firm: In our bespoke litigation practice, we manage large-scale securities, insurance, antitrust, professional liability, white collar and corporate governance matters, among others, that are often international in scope. 

Litigation clients: S&P Global, UBS, Ligan Pharmaceuticals, Barclays Capital

Recent highlight: Represented Tesla in an SEC enforcement action, DOJ investigation, and NY AG investigation arising from Tweets Elon Musk posted in which he claimed there was “funding secured” to take Tesla private.

 

International and secondment opportunities

Common secondment destinations: New York and London 

Client secondment examples: Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank & Goldman Sachs

 

Career development & the path to partnership

 

3

2.5 : 1

20%

partners made
in 2020

associate : partner
gearing

of junior associates intend to make partner

61%

68%

59%

felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children strongly agreed the firm’s name adds value to their resume agreed partners
are nurturing
future leaders

 

The view from the firm: Close interaction between clients, partners, and associates fosters strong connections and accelerated career development for associates. A formal mentoring program provides customized support and thoughtful career advice while allowing the firm to maintain a real-time understanding of an individual’s career development. An Education & Training Committee oversees practice area-focused training targeted to associates at each step in their career. The firm regularly offers Associate Career Enhancement training and development seminars tailored to the needs of junior/mid-level/senior associates. The Women Attorneys Leadership Program provides Cahill women lawyers the tools to take ownership of their careers and move into leadership positions. There is a full schedule of CLE programs.

 

Hours & compensation

 

57%

12

49

strongly agreed they could take vacation on their own terms

    average number of vacation days associates took in one year

    average number of hours associates worked in one week

48%

81%

57%

agreed they had a good work-life balance

said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile

strongly agreed the bonus amount awarded was fair

 

Salaries

1st year: $205,000
2nd year: $215,000
3rd year: $240,000
4th year: $275,000
5th year: $305,000
6th year: $330,000
7th year: $350,000
8th year: $365,000

 

The view from the firm: There is no minimum hours requirement with billable credit for pro bono hours. Annual salaries and bonuses are highly competitive, often above that of peer firms. Salaries are lockstep based on class year. The firm takes a flexible, individualized approach to remote work and has generous leave policies for new parents. The Cahill Connect Program, which includes mentoring circles and social events, is designed to provide opportunities to connect within the firm.

 

Is Cahill the right firm for you?

 

88%

77%

91%

said they’d chosen the right firm

were happy in their current role

felt comfortable being themselves

The view from the firm: Our vision is to do what we do exceptionally well, to be of a size where we can really know one another and build relationships, and to give attorneys the opportunity to learn and grow at a rate that is unmatched in the industry.  We value initiative, which translates to trusting our attorneys with responsibilities as they are ready for them.  Lateral hires will combine initiative with experience, creativity and intellect to make meaningful contributions to the work of the firm. Roles of all levels, from junior corporate associate to Counsel with significant capital markets and bank lending experience.

What stands out about the firm's culture?

“I so appreciate the free market system. As early as the first year, we are expected to 'develop business' by reaching out to partners and associates for work and developing those relationships to ensure that more work comes our way.

"The approachable, laid back personalities of many of those in charge."

They treat associates like adults and allow you to be responsible for your own workload.”

 

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

 

70%

55%

24%

29%

reported strong performance in inclusivity training

reported diverse staffing on deals and cases

of partners are women

identify as ethnically diverse

 

The view from the firm: The Chair of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is also a member of our Executive Committee. Our strategy is to foster an environment where all individuals are respected, understood and appreciated. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, and celebratory, of our differences. A mainstay of our strategy is for our recruiting process to focus on enhancing the firm’s diversity on all levels. We are also focused on retaining our diverse attorneys, with emphasis on mentoring and affinity group activities. We look to bring engaging diversity training and programming to all members of the firm.

 

Pro bono

 

60%

70%

said the pro bono has helped
build their career or skillset    

    found the pro bono
work interesting

 

The view from the firm: Cahill lawyers work with pro bono clients to provide individuals and families with access to justice and opportunity. Our lawyers stand up for our clients in criminal proceedings as part of the SDNY Criminal Justice Act Panel, represent vulnerable families in domestic violence matters, and help military veterans start a small business, among other initiatives. During the pandemic, the firm provided assistance to small businesses profoundly impacted by the shutdown, with an emphasis on supporting women and minority-owned businesses, nonprofits, and performing arts organizations.

 

Sustainability and CSR

The view from the firm: As a law firm, we are largely a user of human talent--our hiring practices are key to our ability to advance human rights, particularly in the area of diversity. Our Pro Bono program advises nonprofits whose work is critical to ensuring equal opportunity and justice for all. We have a sustainability program that is committed to reducing our resource consumption and carbon footprint. Cahill is an active participant in the Law Firm Sustainability Network. The Cahill Green and Wellness Initiative introduces programs and policies to benefit our community by decreasing our environmental impact while promoting wellness for our employees. 

 

Contact

See opportunities at the firm here>>

Recruitment contact:

Noelle Fletcher, Director of Legal Recruiting
nfletcher@cahill.com

Visit the firm's website here>>