If you’re after a firm with a rock-solid reputation among financial giants, you can place your bets safely on Cahill.
Cahill Lateral Profile 2023
Located in the heart of New York’s financial district, Cahill steers Wall Street banks, Fortune 500 companies, and other major financial institutions through complex regulatory issues and gnarly financial litigation. Our sister guide Chambers USA places Cahill at the top of the national leader board for know-how in banking and finance and capital markets (high-yield debt specifically).
Beyond its great reputation and superb expertise, it was the promise to take control of their own careers that drew in many of the current crop of junior associates. Finally, top-market compensation (including as many as three annual bonuses for all associates) certainly sweetened the deal.
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…
“Cahill is a leader in leveraged finance and high yield. It’s a growing team and there are meaningful opportunities to shine as a junior associate.”
“I chose Cahill for its above market compensation.”
“The firm has an outstanding lender-side finance practice.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2023
Corporate (capital markets & lending) careers
The view from the firm: Widely recognized as the leading law firm in leveraged finance, Cahill has long and close working relationships with many prominent international banking institutions. Cahill corporate lawyers regularly participate in the most significant deals in the marketplace. Its capital markets and lending practice represents lenders and borrowers in loan financings, underwriters and issuers in debt, equity and equity linked securities offerings and dealer managers and solicitation agents in exchange offers, tender offers and consent solicitations, in leveraged, distressed, high grade and cross-over credits. Cahill also represents mezzanine lenders and private equity investors in leveraged and strategic transactions.
Capital markets & lending clients: Citigroup; Credit Suisse; Deutsche Bank
Recent work highlight: Represented J.P. Morgan Securities in a $879 million public offering of common stock.
Corporate (mergers & acquisitions) careers
The view from the firm: Cahill advises public and private corporations, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, and boards and special committees across a variety of industries in connection with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, spin-offs and other significant strategic transactions. The firm also advises clients on acquisition finance, growth equity and other minority investments, governance, disclosure and compliance matters, providing its clients a single point of contact and delivering exceptional efficiency.
Corporate/M&A clients: S&P Global; Shutterstock; Cable One
Recent work highlight: Represented gift retailer and distribution company 1-800-FLOWERS.COM in its acquisition of food products supplier Vital Choice.
Litigation careers
The view from the firm: Cahill’s bespoke litigation practice manages large-scale securities, insurance, antitrust, professional liability, white collar and corporate governance matters, among others, that are often international in scope.
Litigation clients: Clearview AI; UBS; Wells Fargo Bank
Recent work highlight: Represented S&P Global in multiple related actions filed in the Southern District of New York alleging the business misrepresented the rating of a fund that invests in life settlements.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: New York; London
Client secondment examples: Bank of America; Credit Suisse; Deutsche Bank; Goldman Sachs
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Growing London office with opportunities for transfer and secondments
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
6 |
2.2 : 1 |
43% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
80% |
50% |
88% |
||
| 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: Close interaction between clients, partners, and associates fosters strong connections and accelerated career development for our associates. Our Education and Training Committee has specialized training for the work that our lawyers do through our Cahill Academy programming. Programs for junior associates center on Core Competencies. These programs are designed to help lawyers develop a solid foundation of substantive skills and know-how and professional practice competencies, as well as engage lawyers in the culture and life of the firm and aid them in forming a strong professional network. More senior lawyers participate in training programs including presentations, discussion sessions and small group workshops. In partnership with our Professional Development Committee, Cahill Academy also offers one-on-one coaching opportunities, career development seminars and leadership exercises. In addition, programs sponsored by our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and our Women's Initiatives Committee, such as our Women Attorneys Leadership Program, further our goals of maintaining an inclusive working environment and promoting diversity within the firm. We also offer a formal mentoring program, structured to provide customized support and thoughtful career advice from partners and more senior associates throughout an associate’s career at Cahill.
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
12.9 |
49.9 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
59% |
82% |
88% |
| 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
The view from the firm: No minimum hours requirement with billable credit for pro bono hours. Highly competitive annual salaries and bonuses, often above that of peer firms. Salaries are lockstep based on class year. Flexible, individualized approach to remote work. Generous leave policies for new parents. The Cahill Connect Program, which includes mentoring circles and social events, is designed to provide opportunities to connect within the Firm.
Is Cahill the right firm for you?
|
88% |
89% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
The view from the firm: Our vision is to do what we do exceptionally well, to be of a size where we can really know one another and build relationships, and to give attorneys the opportunity to learn and grow at a rate that is unmatched in the industry. We value initiative, which translates to trusting our attorneys with responsibilities as they are ready for them. Lateral hires will combine initiative with experience, creativity and intellect to make meaningful contributions to the work of the Firm. Roles of all levels, from junior corporate associate to Counsel with significant capital markets and bank lending experience.
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
“Real, honest people who tell it like it is.”
“The people are kind and hard-working; the firm really cares about its own.”
“Laid back culture.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
87% |
25% |
26% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Cahill is deeply committed to diversity and to fostering an environment where all individuals are respected, understood and appreciated. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, and celebratory, of our differences. A mainstay of our strategy is for our recruiting process to focus on enhancing the Firm’s diversity on all levels. We continue to invest in the advancement and of diverse talent, and have recently announced that we will be awarding a 2L Diversity Fellowship to an incoming 2023 Cahill Summer Associate. We are also focused on retaining our diverse attorneys, with emphasis on mentoring and affinity group activities. We look to bring engaging diversity training and programming to all members of the Firm.
Pro Bono
|
undisclosed |
82% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Yedida Hiller, director of legal recruiting, yhiller@cahill.com