Debevoise & Plimpton LLP - The Inside View

For the associates we spoke to, the decision was clear: if you’re looking to make your BigLaw debut and step into the spotlight in New York or DC, then Debevoise should be on your radar as “a no-brainer.” Reputation was center stage in the decision-making process for insiders as they noted: “Being at a place where there’s an emphasis on being respectful and kind, but also, somewhere I knew I would be able to work with incredibly smart people on incredibly interesting work was important.” Rightly so; the firm’s strengths don’t just end at a friendly face. On the national stage, Chambers USA sings the firm’s praises for intellectual property: trademark, copyright and trade secrets, FCPA, corporate crime and investigations, international arbitration, private equity: fund formation and secondaries, transactional and regulatory insurance, and securities work. Debevoise also goes on to receive applause for its media and entertainment and environment practices (among many others) in New York too. 

“Debevoise is a great place to begin your journey and figure out what you want.” 

Further standing ovation was given by the New York and DC associates: “If you speak to anyone at Debevoise, they will say they love the people – the firm attracts the type of person that is interested in the work and people. It’s very collaborative.” In fact, juniors highlighted the true lock-step model as another standout feature (more on that later). Moreover, the quality of investment on offer was a significant pull: “I really want to stress, Debevoise is a great place to begin your journey and figure out what you want. There’s a lot of support in place with the people willing to help you,” juniors praised.  

Juniors work out of all three of the firm’s stateside offices: New York, DCand San Francisco. A further six international offices make up the rest of the Debevoise network. 

Strategy & Future 

Associates are kept in the loop on developments, representations, promotions and hires through quarterly firm updates from presiding partners, as well as through practice group meetings. And for our interviewees, the overriding message from these was loud and clear: 2025 onwards is about continuing to build upon the firm’s strengths. “One of the main focuses has been building out the San Francisco office,” sources informed us. Since opening its doors in 2021, the San Francisco office has steadily grown and as a result, the firm has extended its lease and nearly doubled its footprint in the financial district, with a number of recent partner promotions and hires. On that note an insider highlighted, “There’s been a focus on building out the trial part of the practice by hiring partners that have experience.” 

The Work 

Before kicking off their time at Debevoise, incoming associates submit their practice and specialty group preferences. Like many other BigLaw firms, litigators start out as generalists, and the firm requires formal specialization of a major and minor sub-practice at the end of their second year. Corporate associates have a formal rotation program to explore at least two different practices before selecting a specialty at the end of second year as well. This was a huge draw as “coming out of law school you don’t always know what you want and you don’t want to pigeonhole yourself,” a corporate associate reflected, “it gives you the opportunity to lock in before trying another group for a year or so.” 

Sources explained that their work comes through the staffing team, either by a staffing coordinator or partner who considers availability, interests, skills, and clients. “You don’t have to worry about finding work – you just ask for it,” a source praised of the system. Outside of the staffing system, relationship building is also a component of finding work. “If something sounds interesting, you can make it happen that way, too,” an interviewee added. That said, any work requests would have to be formally logged through the staffing system, which associates noted “relieves the pressure that comes with having to reject matters.” 

“We represented the Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas in one of the most interesting and high-profile impeachment investigations in recent years. It’s the first case of its kind since the 1870s!” 

Commercial litigation, international disputes, white-collar litigation, and commercial IP make up the spectrum of disputes the litigation department tackles at Debevoise. The white-collar group carves out a significant slice of the pie, with data privacy and security handling ransomware and cybersecurity incidents as well as artificial intelligence matters. “We weed through the regulatory obligations, acting as crisis coordinators,” an associate detailed, “We also advise on the policies and procedures companies need to protect people’s information.” With DC being a hotspot for SEC focused work, a NY junior reassured, “Although that work often originates from there, we work seamlessly together.” On top of internal and securities investigations, the group acts on behalf of individuals and companies subject to congressional investigations as well as other criminal matters from the Department of Justice or the US Attorney’s Office. Insiders were keen to highlight, “We represented the Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas in one of the most interesting and high-profile impeachment investigations in recent years. It’s the first case of its kind since the 1870s!” Day to day, juniors delve into cases through assisting with legal research, sifting through materials identifying essential documents and narratives, alongside preparing for meetings and witness interviews. 

Litigation clients: Capital One, Columbia University, Robinhood Markets. Representing OceanGate and its board of directors in relation to the aftermath of the Titan submersible implosion. 

Trade secret litigation, trademark, and copyright matters make up the work in the firm’s intellectual property department. The team works on behalf of high-profile clients from tech companies to household beverages and luxury brands. Additionally, the team works alongside counterparts in the white-collar and data security departments to respond to ransomware attacks and aid government investigations. Providing insight into work in response to an infringement or false advertisement claim, sources explained, “It’s a quick response with a temporary order to either pursue or fight off a claim which can turn into a full-blown litigation. Although most settle, we have had multiple trials!” Juniors outlined being involved from the get-go with research and liaising with specialists to produce expert reports, being quick on their feet with drafting preliminary injunctions, collating presentation materials, preparing witness outlines and even attending trial. “The cases are fast moving; partners encourage us to speak up and get involved,” a source praised, “You can raise your hand; you’re not cabined as junior.” 

IP clients: Space X, Grubhub, Canva. Represented online marketplace and reseller Stock X in a suit brought against it by Nike. The suit alleges that StockX infringed and diluted some of Nike’s trademarks in its resale of Nike products. 

“They’re actively getting us to be lawyers… I assumed it would be due diligence and checklists all of the time – not getting in the nitty gritty.” 

Over in the corporate practice, you’ll find M&A, capital markets, funds, and banking, alongside other specialist groups such as insurance, restructuring and real estate. Here Debevoise works with a whole host of names, from private equity firms to financial institutions to renowned entertainment and international pharma companies. An M&A associate enthused, “The transactions vary in size and structure depending on the parties involved – that’s the beauty of M&A, it’s always different!” What do associates get up to in their day to day? “They’re actively getting us to be lawyers,” a source reflected, “I assumed it would be due diligence and checklists all of the time – not getting in the nitty gritty.” Those standard tasks do occasionally shape up part of juniors’ work, as one explained, “We’re the first line of defense – making sure nothing falls through the cracks.” But juniors also have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and take a stab at ancillaries building up to drafting the likes of offering and disclosure memorandums, or an LPA for a fund: “They scale up the work with your interests and what you can handle,” we heard.  

Corporate clients: Blackstone Alternative Asset Management, National Football League, JetBlue Airways. Advised Verizon Communications on its $20 billion acquisition of telecommunications company Frontier. 

Career Development 

“The firm is encouraging of your long-term career goals,” an associate was happy to share. When newbies join the firm, they attend an initial foundation session, called the Business Education Program, which covers commercial awareness topics – the program is akin to a mini-MBA, and is run in collaboration with Columbia Business School. For example, sources explained an eight-part professional skills development program had been run covering soft skills like active listening, time management, public speaking, and writing. “Associate development is not forgotten. You get calendar inbox invites about discovery, how to write a motion, and business development,” a junior outlined, adding that “some of it is about what you make of it, like reaching out for feedback or going out with your mentor.” On that note, every fresh-faced junior is paired with an associate and partner mentor for career development advice and can utilize the dedicated mentoring budget for coffee or dinner! 

If partnership is on your mind, you’ll be pleased to learn that sources felt it an attainable prospect at Debevoise. “Almost everyone is home-grown,” an insider observed, adding, “The firm only brings in laterals with specialist skill sets.” The firm also has an in-house counselor on hand to help attorneys navigate their options, including career moves and the path to partnership: “Alumni go off to do great things; they want to make sure you are getting the most out of being here.” A source divulged, “If you want to go in-house to a big hedge fund or the government, the firm has great connections, especially with the SEC.” 

Culture, Hours & Compensation  

Billable hours: no requirement 

“I don’t think about hours,” one insider proclaimed, “Unless I’ve done a load and then I think ‘wow’ look at how many I’ve done.” All jokes aside, juniors appreciated that “there’s zero panic when the market is slow as you can’t manufacture hours that don’t exist. Staffing ensures that not too much or too little falls on associates.” That’s not to say there aren’t busy times however; if a case or deal is approaching a pivotal point, late nights and weekend work are part and parcel. On average, associates reported working between 40 to 50 hours a week. As a guide, everyone is expected in the office at least three days a week, though each practice group has their own anchor days. Ultimately, associates valued that “there is a sense of protection for family and personal time. We still work the BigLaw hours, but if you raise something you want to protect, it will be respected." 

“We push for excellence in a way that is not aggressive, but quietly brilliant.” 

From New York to DC, “it’s an environment of kindness, consideration and collaboration,” sources agreed. We heard that the culture is shaped by two prongs, firstly the firm follows a true lockstep model which means partners get an equal share in profits, and secondly the lack of billable hour requirement: “Partners aren’t competing; this goes down to the associates. We push for excellence in a way that is not aggressive, but quietly brilliant.” Shining a light on the DC office, a junior shared, “It’s a close culture and there’s a lot of trust as the teams are small. You get to know people well and we go out to lunch regularly.” While social events might not take place every week, there are occasional get-togethers and happy hours, activities like games nights, bowling and skating, and an annual summer associate trip to Central Park Zoo. All in all, “It strikes the right balance,” sources summarized.   

Pro Bono 

“People love pro bono at Debevoise," a source declared, "it’s part of what makes us special.” Such steadfast dedication is supported by associates being encouraged to complete at least 20 hours – although many go beyond as the firm allows attorneys to count all pro bono hours towards their billable hour tally. For juniors, it presents the opportunity to further hone their skills and “take on more of a leadership role, facing clients and getting that court room experience.” 

“I feel like I'm working on the right side of history and the future.” 

Insiders outlined working on everything from immigration, housing, veterans, domestic violence and family matters, to working with organizations such as the James Beard Foundation (a non-profit that supports chefs and cooks behind America’s food culture). It goes without saying that there’s plenty to get involved in! It would be remiss to talk about pro bono at Debevoise without highlighting The Holloway Project, which was top of mind for many of our sources: “It was started by a partner John Gleeson. We represent prisoners who were convicted, often many decades ago, and under current sentencing guidelines would be sentenced for way less today.” A large number of associates are involved in filing those compassionate release documents. This sense of immense reward and impact was shared across pro bono projects, as one relished, “I feel like I’m working on the right side of history and the future.” 

Pro bono hours 

• For all US offices: 96,900

• Average per US attorney: 116

Get Hired 

The first stage: recruitment on and off campus 

OCI applicants interviewed: undisclosed 

Interviewees outside OCI: undisclosed 

Debevoise & Plimpton conducts OCIs at over 25 law schools and resume collections at others. The firm is also open to school early programs and write-in applications. OCIs are usually conducted by partners and alumni of the specific school, although there are exceptions.  

At this point, the firm is looking for “students who understand this business and have a strong work ethic.”  Hiring Partner Nicole Mesard says the firm looks for “people who are great problem solvers—our clients come to us with their toughest matters. To excel here, you have to want to tackle those tough matters and get your hands dirty.” 

Top tips for this stage: 

“Students should do their homework on us—things like knowing how to say the name of the firm, knowing the practice areas the firm has, the offices, and knowing details on the firm.” –  Chief Legal Recruiting Officer, Sandra Herbst 

Callbacks 

Applicants invited to second stage interview: undisclosed 

Callbacks are usually either a morning or afternoon session with candidates being able to choose between an in-person or remote format. The candidate will do three interviews, typically with partners or counsel. At this stage, the questions will be “more in-depth.” Herbst explains, “we want to see if they can demonstrate the ability to be a team player, if they’ll be able to work on the toughest matters, and whether they have the stamina to get through it. Some candidates come in and dazzle, but then towards the end of the interview process they’re tired and it shows. Being a lawyer at a big law firm is a marathon, not a sprint.” The morning sessions are followed by lunch, while the afternoon sessions are followed by coffee—these are with more junior members of the firm to give candidates “different perspectives on the firm.” 

Summer program 

Offers: undisclosed 

Acceptances: undisclosed 

During Debevoise’s summer program, summers get the chance to work on real matters with associates, counsel and partners. “We want them to meet our different lawyers, get to know them, and let the lawyers get to know the summers.” There are no formal rotations, and summers can work in one area or as many areas as they like. Summers also have the opportunity to work on at least one pro bono assignment. Feedback is provided to summers at mid-summer and end-of-summer reviews. 

Top tips for this stage: 

“Take it seriously. We want to see that they are committed to being here and are going to work hard. We want summer associates to really understand what it means to be a Debevoise lawyer.” – Hiring Partner, Nicole Mesard.