The high-caliber work at this close-knit Windy City native left associates grinning like Cheshire Katts.
Katten Lateral Profile 2025
For the juniors we interviewed, Katten was a no-brainer given the “small firm feel, but with all the resources and perks of BigLaw.” That feeling was echoed by one associate early on at a recruitment event: “The second I walked up to Katten’s table, everyone was so approachable. I got the sense that they were not sugarcoating their experience. Any question I had, the answers were not only what I was looking for, but I felt it was genuine and truthful.” Another added that “the people here were really one of those soft deciding factors they really drew me to the firm.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“Katten had the clients and specialized type of law that I was looking to practice and also had the firm culture that made working in that type of law enjoyable.”
“The people are really amazing to work with and I felt it would be the best place to learn and grow as a professional.”
“I chose Katten because I was drawn to the quality of service to clients Katten delivers and the quality of the attorneys as people. The attorneys at Katten seemed more down to earth and personable than attorneys at other “big law” firms, while delivering the same level of service to clients.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
11 |
0.8 : 1 |
72% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
74% |
68% |
68% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: The firm has comprehensive onboarding and integration programs; both formal and informal mentoring and training opportunities at every level of your careers (new associate, junior associate, mid-level associate, senior associate, new income partner).
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
9 |
46.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
81% |
74% |
70% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt that they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: undisclosed
The view from the firm: The firm has a set lock-step system; additional bonuses awarded to associates who have exceeded the minimum billing targets; billing bonuses for business development; discretionary bonuses for associates that have been identified as performing top of their class; a certain number of pro bono, firm legal work, firm citizenship activities, and work shadowing hours may count towards billing goals.
Is Katten the right firm for you?
|
83% |
85% |
83% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: Katten is an innovative, entrepreneurial firm that is committed to top-notch client service. We welcome like-minded, experienced attorneys to consider joining us. When seeking lateral associates, Katten looks for excellent academic credentials, strong drafting and writing skills, and a client-team focused work ethic.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I chose Katten because of the phenomenal people I met through my interview process. I felt that they would be extraordinary mentors and it would be a great opportunity to learn from highly skilled individuals.”
“I met a lot of friendly people at the recruiting events, my OCI interview, and my callback interviews, that showed me there were friendly, down-to-earth people at Katten.”
“There’s a great culture, a good work/life balance and respect for peers. There’s a different feel than a typical Big Law firm, but with the same pay.”
Pro Bono
|
50 |
84% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Civil rights work with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights; work with the National Immigrant Justice Center; domestic violence and child support order work; work with asylum seekers and applications.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contacts:
Charlotte: clt.recruiting@katten.com
Chicago: chi.recruiting@katten.com
Dallas: dal.recruiting@katten.com
Los Angeles: lax.recruiting@katten.com
New York: nyc.recruiting@katten.com
Washington DC: was.recruiting@katten.com