Powering up the industry titans of tomorrow, Seattle’s finest is consolidating its position as a leading national firm.
Sleepless in Seattle? Why not take a stroll and quiz the locals about the local legal scene? Chances are many would identify Perkin Coie as one of the Pacific Northwest’s top legal outfits. Chambers USA certainly seems to think so. The firm scores nine top accolades in the state of Washington including gold stars for its corporate, commercial litigation, employment, IP and bankruptcy practices –more than any other firm.
"Our home office in Seattle is where the firm was founded," says firmwide managing partner William Malley. "We have a long history of representing clients in the technology sector." But while the firm's roots are in Seattle, Malley explains the firm has "built on our West Coast origins and strength to expand our presence in New York, Chicago, Washington DC and Texas." In February 2020, Perkins Coie opened a new office in Austin,"a market that is rapidly growing, and where there is a lot of work with emerging companies and for intellectual property lawyers." This newest base in the Texas capital brings PC’s nationwide office count to 18, each earning state-specific rankings. Nationwide the firm is recognized by Chambers USA for its expertise in 12 distinct areas including data security, environment, IP, retail and emerging companies.
View the firm's Chambers USA rankings here>>
Why did you choose Perkins Coie?
"Perkins seemed to offer the best of big law without some of the common big law cultural drawbacks."
"Pacific Northwest base, great pro bono and community outreach, competitive salary, great clients."
Strategic recruitment focuses 2022
Emerging companies & venture capital careers
Emerging companies & venture capital clients: Wondery, Hinge Health, Lucid Software.
Recent highlight: Represented BetterUp in its $125 Million Series D fundraising, to achieve a $1.73 billion valuation.
Technology transactions & privacy careers
Tech clients: Confidential.
Recent highlight: Represented a developer and manufacturer of aerospace and defense industry communications, electronics, and navigation technologies, in a seven-year outsourcing of its global information technology infrastructure and data center operations, help desk and desktop support.
Privacy & date security careers
Privacy clients: Facebook, Twitter, Google.
Recent highlight: Represented the University of Washington in relation to a data breach class action based on the alleged public exposure of personal information and protected health information of approximately one million patients of the University of Washington Medicine entities.
M&A careers
M&A clients: Orion Systems Integrators, Auth0, Zillow Group.
Recent highlight: Represented Microsoft in its acquisition of CloudKnox Security, a leader in Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management.
IP/patent litigation careers
IP clients: Adobe, Intel, Cisco Systems.
Recent highlight: Represented Viatris (formerly Mylan) in a decade-plus-long battle to ensure MS sufferers prescribed Teva’s Copaxone continued to have access to affordable generic treatments.
International and secondment opportunities
Client secondment examples: Microsoft, Dropbox, and Facebook.
Career development & the path to partnership
|
28 |
1.1 : 1 |
34% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of junior associates intend to make partner |
||
|
76% |
97% |
75% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | agreed the firm’s name adds value to their resume | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: New attorneys receive training in general skills as well as specialized training in issues specific to their practice area. For example, business attorneys participate in training sessions on business financing, licensing and leasing transactions, bankruptcy and drafting legal opinions, and litigation attorneys participate in training sessions ondrafting pleadings and conducting discovery, alternate dispute resolution, taking/defending depositions, trial preparation and oral argument. The Attorney Development Department has created a firmwide mentoring program for all associates: Building Bridges. This program provides additional professional development opportunities and strengthens connections between lawyers within offices, practice groups and across the firm.
Hours & compensation
|
1,850 -1,950 |
7 |
51 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
72% |
67% |
|
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
agreed they could take vacation on their own terms |
|
Salaries
- 1st year: $115,000–$190,000
- 2nd year: $120,000–$200,000
- 3rd year: $130,000–$220,000
- 4th year: $130,000–$255,000
- 5th year: $140,000–$280,000
- 6th year: $150,000–$305,000
- 7th year: $160,000–$325,000
- 8th year: $170,000–$340,000
The view from the firm: Associate and counsel compensation includes a base salary and productivity and merit bonuses.
Is Perkins Coie the right firm for you?
|
97% |
94% |
86% |
|
said they’d chosen the right firm |
were happy in their current role |
felt comfortable being themselves |
The view from the firm: Perkins Coie regularly hires lateral associates for opportunities across the firm. We are seeking experienced attorneys who are self-starters eager to grow their practice and gain new experience in their chosen area of expertise. We are a collaborative team of lawyers with a passion for technology, problem-solving, and cutting-edge issues. We work with the largest, most sophisticated companies and the most innovative start-ups in technology, media, retail, and other sectors. While we work hard to meet our clients’ needs, we also value critical thinking, collegiality, mentorship, and life outside of work. Working remotely the past two years allowed our attorneys to work seamlessly across offices.
What stands out about the firm's culture?
“Partners treat associates as peers and mentees, not as resources.”
“Emphasis on attorney-staff relationship, priorities in engaging new associates with partners.”
"Focus on inclusivity and work/life balance."
"The firm is serious in its hiring of associates to find those that would fit will with the firm culture, and does a good job of maintaining collegiality."
Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
|
85% |
82% |
30% |
31% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
rated the firm for mentoring from diverse role models |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: The firm supports resource groups for women, parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender attorneys, lawyers with disabilities, and lawyers of color (African American/Black, Latina/o, Asian Pacific Islander and South Asian/Middle Eastern). The firm has a firmwide Strategic Diversity Committe as well as local office diversity committees. The firm has committed to contribute at least $500,000 annually over the next five years to organizations that promote racial equality and provides billable hour credit for approved DE&I efforts.
Pro bono
|
74 |
94% |
|
average pro bono |
found the pro bono |
The view from the firm: Perkins Coie’s commitment to community runs more than a hundred years deep. Sharing our time and talents to help those most in need, both on an individual and systemic basis, defines our firm culture. In 2020, Perkins Coie attorneys donated over 79,000 hours of pro bono legal service. The firm has a dedicated Pro Bono attorney who oversees the firm's pro bono program and serves as a resource for pro bono opportunities.
Sustainability and CSR
The view from the firm: The firm plans to reduce our carbon and energy use by 40% over the next 10 years. Initiatives are being developed to reduce energy use in buildings and to decrease energy use for commuting and travel.
Contact
See opportunities at the firm here>>
Recruitment contacts here>>
Visit the firm's website here>>