Katten - The Inside View

The term BigLaw speaks for itself – it’s big, and not just by how many firms now fall under this umbrella, but the sheer size of some of them too. Sometimes, what you really want is that personal touch amid the towering legal conglomerates. Lucky, then, that it’s not a one-size-fits-all in this industry. For one junior, Katten was a no-brainer given the “small-firm feel, but with all the resources and perks of BigLaw.”

That feeling was echoed by another 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 that really drew me to the firm.”

“…small-firm-feel, but with all the resources and perks of BigLaw.”

Onto some of the hard factors: though Katten is Chicago born and bred, its offices in California, Texas, North Carolina and New York have certainly helped blow its presence further afield, and the firm also hosts offices internationally in London and Shanghai too. Katten’s high-quality work hadn’t slipped past juniors either, or our colleagues over at Chambers USA. In its home state of Illinois, the firm excels in white-collar litigation, IP, and real estate. In Texas, it’s corporate/M&A, and the New York office is also pipped for its white-collar litigation & public finance work. Nationwide, the firm picks up top billing for bankruptcy/restructuring and healthcare.

Strategy & Future

Coming soon...

The Work

Katten’s junior attorneys could be found in every US office except Orange County. Most are based in Chicago and New York, and could be found in the firm’s corporate, financial markets and funds, litigation, real estate,  private credit and structured finance practices.

The way work is assigned varies, with some sharing that their groups have specific project managers to help them get work, while others use a network system. All associates we spoke to found it pretty straightforward to get work. Even where the free-market system was used, “the work is evenly spread, but it’s more about developing relationships with partners and they give you work from there once they get to know you.”

“I always thought that the junior associate is neither seen nor heard but that’s not been my experience at all, and it’s a good way to build a relationship with the client.”

In the financial markets and funds group, juniors work on “anything from M&A to launching funds like private equity funds, hedge funds or venture capital funds, and then helping with corporate governance items too.” Associates mostly reported doing manager-side work on fund formation matters, which offer varies as “they change depending on the client’s strategy, appetite for risk and any potential regulatory issues.”

Interviewees appreciated the responsibility they were given, one surmised that, in this group, “the role of a junior associate is to generate and draft the first versions of all of the documents going to a client.” Another source elaborated that “I’m working on drafting all of the documents – the PPM, LPA, subscription documents – and working with partners to review and revise those documents.” Associates were also happy to get the chance to interact directly with clients: “I correspond with the clients and really did right away. I always thought the junior associate is neither seen nor heard but that’s not been my experience at all.”

Financial markets clients: Pfingsten Partners, Southeastern EyeCare Holdings, Ntiva Holdings. Represented Shorehill Capital in its sale of Power Grid to Blackstone.

Over in litigation, juniors were evenly split across three practice groups: commercial litigation, white-collar litigation, and financial markets litigation and enforcement. The white collar and commercial teams work with a mix of companies and individuals, while those in the financial markets group typically deal with financial institutions, and some small crypto-currency groups.

Juniors get the opportunity to take work from across the department and outside of their practice group too, though work mostly comes from with their own specialism. Insiders felt super positive about the fact that “Katten gives junior associates a ton of substantive experience pretty early on.” For instance, juniors were doing anything from drafting witness interview documents, attending, defending and prepping clients for depositions, attending court hearings and oral arguments, making presentations to various government agencies, attending calls with clients, and even traveling internationally to meet certain clients in person.

That’s quite the list! But an interviewee revealed that actually “those are all examples of things I wasn’t just involved in but had a pretty integral part in too.” Given there were so many things to get stuck into, it wasn’t surprising thatseniors made sure juniors felt trusted and supported: “I’ll email clients and speak with them directly, and the partners are always really encouraging for us to ask questions and be involved. If they’re conducting an interview, they ask for our questions and thoughts and input. They’re very encouraging of our take on things.”

Litigation clients: Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Nahla Capital, BMO Capital Markets. Represented Wolfspeed in a consumer class action alleging that it exaggerated and falsely advertised the lifetime of its consumer LED light bulbs.

Career Development

That level of support extends throughout the entire firm. Juniors are allocated senior associate and junior partner mentors, but really “every single person has been invested in my development and willing to answer questions, let me shadow, and hop on calls with me after meetings to explain things.” In fact, all of our interviewees had glowing words to say about the firm’s strong commitment to development and mentorship. One interviewee elaborated, “You’re working so closely and directly with senior partners at the firm. They’re extremely invested in you doing well because a lot of their work depends on you being coached up to properly understand whatever is going on.” The firm also wants associates to be well-rounded: “Even if we’re not tax lawyers, at least in the funds group, we’ll have those trainings because they want us not to be scared about tax things or regulatory things.”

Insiders felt they could also speak openly about their career aspirations, whether at Katten or elsewhere. “Everyone wants you to succeed in your career whether that’s at Katten or not. It’s never been a taboo in my experience where I couldn’t talk about that or get the support I was hoping for.” Though, some sources emphasized that ultimately “there does appear to be longevity in the role,” and the reason people do stay is that “they truly care about mentoring and taking the time to give you feedback.”

Hours & Compensation

Billable hours: 2,000 target

Juniors have a 2,000-hour billable target, which can include 100 hours of pro bono, 50 hours for firm citizenship, and between 20 and 50 hours of shadowing depending on which year the associate is in. Sources felt the target was achievable, though the ebb and flow of work can make tracking progress towards the goal tricky. Additional bonuses are given for every 100 hours they bill over their target. One corporate associate explained that “if you do mostly deals, the hours are easy to bill.” But for regulatory work “it can be harder. Instead of billing 400 hours to a project, you have 20 projects that you’re billing five hours at a time. It can be difficult, but I wouldn’t say it’s unattainable.”

Speaking of hours, this did vary day-to-day depending on the practice. One junior in financial markets & funds told us it is “certainly an 8-6 more than a 9-5, but I don’t think it’s super crazy.” When work picks up, one junior in litigation reported that “I log on at 8.30am until anywhere from 10pm to midnight,” but reassured us that is around “15-20% of the year depending on how busy things get. It’s mostly seven and a half to eight-hour days, so I feel pretty comfortable.”

Culture

“If I wanted to get a coffee or a zoom call with the chairman or CEO, all of that comes pretty easily.”

Hailing from the Windy City itself, it’s not surprising that associates told us that the firm culture had “very mid-western vibes.” What that means exactly is a little hard to put into words, but one interviewee told us that people at the firm were “truly some of the best I’ve met – amazing, collaborative, very forgiving which is huge, and I really enjoy working with them.” Sources felt that this held true throughout the firm, one newbie highlighted that “I’ve been able to speak to any partner I’ve ever wanted to, whether it’s about work or not. Even firm leadership, like If I wanted to get a coffee or a zoom call with the chairman or CEO, all of that comes pretty easily.” Though other offices shared the same openness: “I’ve worked with partners in Charlotte, Dallas, LA. Most have been very easy to talk to, happy to answer questions and give feedback in a timely manner.”

Katten also has a flexible work arrangement called ‘Katten flex,’ though most are in the office from Tuesday to Thursday. Associates appreciated the flexibility to work remotely when needed, but we heard the firm have “done a good job of encouraging both associates and partners to be in the office.” Moreover, sources felt that the firm has done a lot to make sure offices are connecting. We learned the associate committee puts on once a month events like lunches with speakers or happy hours. As one New York junior surmised: “Associates are really close, it’s not like there are many of us, so it’s a small close-knit group with lots of great events.”

Pro Bono

As for pro bono, associates viewed it very positively. One interviewee highlighted that “people take these matters as seriously as they do with other clients.” Matters seemed straightforward to come by as there is a pro bono partner who also sends out emails with updates and opportunities. A newbie mentioned: “I’ve been able to email him directly with questions or issues, and they have helped me out.” Juniors had been involved in various projects from asylum work, setting up and supporting not-for-profits, and mentoring local high-school students in mock trials and moot courts. “What’s cool about the pro bono program is that it’s completely unrelated to whatever practice area you’re in,” explained one source. They added: “You’ll get weekly or biweekly notices with projects ranging from a litigation matter to a trusts and estates matter or a corporate matter, you can choose what you want to participate in.”

Pro bono hours

• For all (US) attorneys: 32,095
• Average per (US) attorney: 50

Inclusion

When it came to conversations about inclusion, those at the firm told us that it was “easy to tell that the firm prioritizes this. There are lots of events for things like Black history month and women’s history month. Katten does an event for everything!” The firm has multiple affinity groups available to everyone at the firm and associates are “constantly getting emails about those, so I know the firm is pushing joining different groups and finding different people to connect with across the offices.” For example, the Jewish affinity group organized a lunch and speech on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Although some feel representation at the partner level could improve, juniors noted a good gender balance in their cohorts. One associate surmised that “I think our recruiters do a really good job of trying to put together diverse teams,” of lawyers of different backgrounds, experience and perspectives.

Get Hired

The first stage: recruitment on and off campus

OCI applicants interviewed: 478

Interviewees outside OCI: 29

In 2024 Katten attended OCIs at 25 schools and participated in four job fairs and recruiting programs, including Lavender Law Career Fair, the Southeastern Law School Consortium, the Bay Area Diversity Fair, and the Cook County Bar Association Minority Law Student Job Fair. OCI locations include a mix of top schools such as Northwestern, Columbia and NYU, as well as regional schools such as University of Texas School of Law, Wake Forest University School of Law, and Loyola Law School.   

Partner/associate pairs typically conduct interviews, and the firm sees roughly 20 students at each campus, although that number increases to more than 40 for the University of Michigan Law School, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and The University of Chicago Law School. According to hiring sources at the firm, questions are open-ended and allow the interviewers “to assess, among other things, each candidate’s interpersonal skills, motivation, applied intelligence and entrepreneurial qualities.”   

Top tips for this stage:   

“We hire outgoing people because it means they are likely to build business at some point. I do think that the firm does tend to look for people who can have a normal conversation.” – a third-year junior associate   

“I would advise students to prepare, but not be over-rehearsed, as we appreciate authenticity. It is beneficial to present yourself honestly to the interviewer, in a way that communicates enthusiasm for legal studies/the practice of law, motivation to achieve success, and a strong intellect.”

Callbacks

Applicants invited to second-stage interview: 160

Four interviews with a mixture of partners and associates await those who get to the callback stage, though this can vary by office. According to hiring sources at the firm, “our interviewers tend to ask more behavioral questions than we ask at the OCI stage. Interviewers will continue to assess the candidate’s interpersonal skills, motivation, applied intelligence and entrepreneurial qualities. Additionally, interviewers will try to determine the candidate’s interest in the firm and the particular office.” Those we spoke to didn't find the experience too taxing: “For the most part you just have a conversation – they’re thinking about how you would work with this person or this group.”   

Top tips for this stage:   

“I would advise candidates to research the firm, our practice areas, and the attorneys that they will meet, and candidates should be prepared to discuss why they are particularly interested in Katten.”

Summer program

Offers: 63

Acceptances: 31

The summer program runs for ten weeks. Summer associates can try work assignments in different practice areas, and an assignment coordinator is on hand to help them with the assignment process. Summers are also assigned mentors as an extra layer of support. Hiring sources at the firm encourage summers to “work on assignments with a variety of partners and associates across various practice areas, particularly during the first half of the summer,” as this gives them a chance to “experience the different practice areas at the firm and then hone in on what truly interests them for the latter part of the program.”   

Depending on who summers end up working with, they may get to tag along to client meetings, closings or court hearings. The firm also offers learning and development programs that have included topics such as legal writing, communication, wellbeing, and negotiations, in addition to presentations introducing the firm’s practice areas. “Almost all of our summers return as junior associates,” the firm tells us. “When a summer associate receives an offer to return as a first-year associate, the offer is typically for a specific department, based on their department preferences and the hiring needs of our departments.”   

Notable summer events: a day trip to Disneyland, a boat cruise and baseball games (Cubs, Mets or Yankees, Rangers, Dodgers, Nationals).   

Top tips for this stage:   

“If you show great communication and organizational skills, that goes a long way. Bring all the documents you need for a call and keep up to date with all the calendar invites. Those small things are the main things that will impress.”– a third year junior associate   

And finally...   

The firm encourages interested students to connect with Katten attorneys at events hosted through their law schools and by the firm: “They should also follow up with students who participated in our summer program. Our recruiting staff and attorneys are happy to speak with law students to share information on Katten.”