You can bank on this firm navigating both the boom and bust times well, thanks to its countercyclical practices and world-leading projects and restructuring expertise.
Milbank Lateral Profile 2023
“We are a classic full-service New York law firm. We cover all of it and have an unmatched project finance offering as well as a world-class restructuring team,” partner Alex Lees tells us. These two areas receive top-billing status in Chambers USA, alongside high-flying practices like banking and finance, capital markets, white-collar crime and government investigations, and aviation-focused finance work. What’s more, this reputation has been honed with a relatively modest domestic offering consisting of three offices in New York, DC, and LA. Milbank’s office count is greater overseas, where it maintains nine bases in key financial centers across Asia and Europe.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Associates say…
“I chose Milbank because of the ability to focus on a preferred practice area and get substantive experience; also the pro bono opportunities and thoughtful professional development program.”
“Strength of practice group; great culture; strength of firm-wide economics/business model.”
“The firm’s reputation for its transactional practices, quality of life, mentorship and compensation stood out to me.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
12 |
3.2 : 1 |
25% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
38% |
39.4% |
78% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
14 |
48.3 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
69% |
75% |
97% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $215,000
2nd year: $225,000
3rd year: $250,000
4th year: $295,000
5th year: $345,000
6th year: $370,000
7th year: $400,000
8th year: $415,000
Is Milbank the right firm for you?
|
98% |
94% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
“How well everyone treated each other. People at Milbank are respectful of others and of their time and genuinely care about getting to know each other. It's also a place where people feel free to be themselves - there is not one "mold" for a successful associate.”
“Partners treat associates with respect and give a surprising amount of time to associates. Literally everyone I have met at my firm is a good person and enjoyable to be around. Everyone I work with feels like a friend.”
“The training and how personable everybody is at the firm. The commitment to in person work several days a week is also beneficial as a junior associate trying to learn and grow in a new and complex role.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
84% |
15.1% |
46% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Milbank's affinity groups include: aADAM (attorneys of African Descent At Milbank); APIN (Asian Pacific Islander Network); LaMano (Latinx Attorney Mentoring & Networking Organization); Parenting Affinity Group; Pride (LGBTQ+ Affinity Group); DIG-LA (Los Angeles-based Diversity, Equity & Inclusion group); DIG-DC (Washington DC-based Diversity, Equity & Including Group); Women@Milbank.
Additionally, a group of women associates has been hosting programming focused on and for women attorneys of color.
Key & New Initiatives:
(1) Career Development & Coaching Program: Milbank provides members of its aADAM, APIN, LaMano, and Pride affinity groups based in the Americas and UK with the opportunity to participate in a Career Development & Coaching Program, which runs annually for approximately nine months. Participating mid-level associates are matched with a professional coach who works closely with each associate, and a partner mentor who provides advice and support.
(2) Global Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Learning Initiative: the initiative kicked off with several keynote presentations hosted for our global audiences discussing topics including understanding and interrupting unconscious bias and helping to create an inclusive culture. A key goal of the initiative is to give all members of the Milbank community a common vocabulary we can use in our ongoing, everyday efforts to make Milbank a model of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2022 we launched the second phase of our Global DEI Learning Initiative, partnering with a cutting-edge DEI training consultant to design and deliver live vignettes that explore inclusive culture, inclusive leadership and allyship within the Firm. We are confident this highly interactive format will allow our workers to engage with DEI problem solving in relevant and approachable ways.
Pro Bono
|
75 |
94% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defender Services; Delaware Innocence Project (criminal defense); Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights; Latinojustice
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contacts:
Judy-Ann Francis-Duncan, Manager of Lateral Recruiting, jfrancis-duncan@milbank.com (partner recruiting)
Iko Nishitani, Manager of Lateral Recruiting, inishitani@milbank.com (associate recruiting - NY)
Gabriella Marello, Legal Recruiting Manager, gmarello@milbank.com (associate recruiting - LA)
Nga Phan, Human Resources& Recruiment Manager, nphan@milbank.com (associate recruiting - DC)