Brace yourself for this Texan firm providing full client service with an “old-school approach to really develop associates into partners.”
Bracewell Lateral Profile 2024
“I wanted to be in Bracewell’s HQ in Houston, and the strong energy focus was something I was interested in,” admitted one associate. The firm’s managing partner, Gregory Bopp, seconds this: “To compete for the best talent and win the best clients and matters, we have to have a well-known reputation in certain areas and sectors. That’s why we’re focused on big sectors, such as energy, finance, infrastructure and technology.” Bopp goes on to discuss the strength of the firm’s litigious work, as well: “We have two very large practice areas that complement these sectors, which are litigation and government relations. We are market leaders in all of these areas, which sets us apart when competing for the best clients and talent.”
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…
“It was clear that people valued their time outside of the office and promoted work/life balance. The partners I work with have always respected my vacation time.”
“Plenty of young attorneys, and social activity is encouraged. Attorneys generally get along with one another. There’s also an open door policy, and partners are genuine and normal.”
“It was obvious when I started, and is true years later, that the attorneys worked hard and were genuine friends with each other outside the office.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2024
Energy careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell represents participants in the oil and gas, conventional power, solar, wind and renewables sectors. With over 50 years of industry experience and one of the largest dedicated energy teams of any law firm in the world, we have a deep understanding of the global energy markets and the drivers for commercial success. Our strong global platform effectively positions us to advise market participants on opportunities presented by the energy transition, including developments in hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and sequestration technologies
Energy clients: Apache Corporation, Cheniere, Total Solar.
Recent work highlight: Representing Talos Low Carbon Solutions in its development of various carbon capture and sequestration projects along the US Gulf Coast.
Finance careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell advises on billions of dollars in financings each year. We represent some of the world’s leading banks — including 15 on the Global Finance 20 — on a diverse range of sophisticated financings. We also help state and local governments throughout the United States raise revenue for diverse economic development projects. Our industry focus gives us a deep understanding of global financial and energy markets, which allows us to help clients identify investment opportunities and develop creative financing structures that support their business objectives. We represent a broad cross section of banks, financial institutions and investment funds in highly sophisticated and complex transactions.
Recent work highlight: Represented JP Morgan Chase in a revolving credit facility worth $1.5 billion.
Technology careers
The view from the firm: Our comprehensive platform helps companies protect the technologies that maintain their competitive advantage. We represent technology companies such as Big Fish Games, HTC, Sysco, Tetra Technologies, Toshiba and Xiamoi, as well as global companies such as Baker Hughes, Lockheed Martin and Saudi Aramco on the technologies vital to their businesses. Our lawyers work together to provide a well-rounded approach to every facet of technology and intellectual property. With deep industry knowledge and experience, we are a firm of choice for sophisticated patent prosecution, IP litigation, trademark and copyright protection, outsourcing, technology transactions and data security.
Finance clients: Citibank, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase.
Recent work highlight: Represented Kinder Morgan as a borrower on two credit facilities with Barclays Bank.
Infrastructure careers
The view from the firm: Our comprehensive platform helps companies protect the technologies that maintain their competitive advantage. We represent technology companies as well as global companies on the technologies vital to their businesses. Our lawyers work together to provide a well-rounded approach to every facet of technology and intellectual property. With deep industry knowledge and experience, we are a firm of choice for sophisticated patent prosecution, IP litigation, trademark and copyright protection, outsourcing, technology transactions and data security.
Technology clients: Big Fish Games, Saudi Aramco, Lockheed Martin.
Recent work highlight: Representing Southwest Airlines in the structuring and negotiating of strategic IT and telecommunications agreements, including premise software license agreements, cloud services agreements for Software as a Service, and professional services agreements.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: New York, Texas, and London.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Attorneys in our London and Dubai offices are included in professional development opportunities, including our biennial training academies. Additionally, partners in the overseas offices work with associates on development opportunities through in office trainings.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
6 |
0.6 : 1 |
93% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
100% |
89% |
93% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Professional development at Bracewell spans the life cycle of our lawyer's careers. From summer associates to partners, the firm tailors training and development initiatives to meet the needs of lawyers at all levels. Bracewell provides interactive weekly boot camps on practice specific topics for junior attorneys and biennial academies for all midlevel and senior associates. We host more than 70 internal CLE courses during the year and maintain access to 10,000+ hours of on demand eLearning content.
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
6.6 |
45.4 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
78% |
85% |
85% |
| 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: $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: $435,000
The view from the firm: Up to 100 hours is given for diversity and pro bono work. Bracewell has a market-matching lockstep salary and bonus structure.
Is Bracewell the right firm for you?
|
93% |
100% |
93% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Our goal with lateral hiring is to recruit a diverse group of highly motivated attorneys who can contribute to our firm in a meaningful way. We are looking for individuals with exceptional work experience and a desire to become part of our One Bracewell culture.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The friendships among attorneys appear to be authentic (including my own). Almost everyone keeps their doors open and conversation in the hallways, break room and offices is a common occurrence. Also, the other people on your team really seem to respect your personal time and will encourage you to not skip planned events for work.”
“People care about others and value them more than just their ability to bill and make the firm money.”
“Combination of kindness, passion for their work, and willingness to invest in their associates. The firm embodies the mantra of ‘taking your work seriously without taking yourself too seriously.’ This mentality is extremely good for mitigating the effects of burnout. Feeling like I am a valued member of a team, and a team that is working on high impact projects, is very important to my ongoing success and ability to consistently meet and exceed professional expectations.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
58% |
28% |
14% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: The firm has continued its "Delivering Feedback" workshop for partners, including delivering feedback across differences; facilitated structured conversations between DEI Committee partners and associates of color; hosted two sessions for junior on receiving feedback; and partnered with clients on DEI initiatives through mutual summer programs.
Pro Bono
|
18.8 |
85% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Halcyon House (start-up entrepreneurs); Houston Volunteer Lawyers (domestic issue and veterans’ matters); Her Justice and Lonestar Legal Aid (domestic issues); Kids in Need of Defense (immigration)
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: For more than 20 years, Bracewell has represented leaving companies in managing energy transition, while engaging the market's rising expectations for disclosure and transparency on energy, social issues and governance. Our depth in the energy sector further distinguishes our ESG offering, as socially conscious investors, pensions and evaluation groups in the wide general public focused heavily on companies involved in the energy transition.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Jennifer Queen, Chief Talent Officer; Jennifer.Queen@bracewell.com