Linklaters is a Britain-born transactional titan of global proportions?
Linklaters was founded in London and has gone on to become one of five elite magic circle firms in the UK. Today, the firm has almost 3,000 attorneys worldwide and 30 offices in 20 countries. With such a global network, it may come as a surprise that in the USA Linklaters has just two bases in New York and DC (juniors are recruited almost entirely into NYC). This modest office presence isn’t dissimilar from most of its magic circle siblings, but in terms of US headcount Linklaters sits a little under its homegrown rivals, with around 125 practicing attorneys.
View the firm's Chambers USA rankings here>>
Why did you choose Linklaters?
“Great community, no billable requirement, great international opportunities.”
“Strong positioning in the market.”
"Overseas opportunities."
Strategic recruitment focuses 2022
Corporate M&A and private equity careers
The view from the firm: Linklaters’ cross-border corporate/M&A practice has a strong presence in the world’s major business and financial centers, with US-qualified lawyers in the Americas and Europe. This wide network allows us to coordinate multi-jurisdictional deals efficiently and deal tactically on a global level, while maintaining an excellent understanding of domestic US law. Our US team has a proven track record of providing the highest quality legal advice across the full range of corporate and financial products including public M&A, private M&A, joint ventures, corporate advisory and regulatory compliance.
Corporate clients: Qatar Investment Authority, Mayflower Wind, Ameriprise Financial
Recent highlight: Advised Plus, provider of self-driving truck technology, on its combination with Hennessy Capital.
Energy & infrastructure careers
The view from the firm: Our US energy & infrastructure team regularly works on complex, large-scale projects, having advised on over $1 trillion of closed project finance transactions globally. We have acted on award-winning and market-leading projects across the world – covering oil and gas, petrochemicals, LNG, thermal power, renewables, nuclear, water and waste, mining, airports, roads and bridges, ports, stadia, telecoms and rail-related transactions. We represent host governments, sponsors, lenders, contractors and suppliers.
Energy clients: Nokia, Pacific Hydro Chile, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Recent highlight: Represented Mayflower Wind Energy on its acquisition of Massachusetts OceanGrid from Anbaric Development Partners.
Finance/banking careers
The view from the firm: Our US banking team advises market-leading financial institutions, financial sponsors, mezzanine providers, funds, and public and private companies on complex domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including transactions involving high-yield debt securities. With lawyers in the Americas, Europe and Asia, we have a proven track record of providing the highest quality legal advice across a range of products wherever needed.
Finance clients: The International Swaps and Derivatives Association
Data solutions, cybersecurity and privacy careers
The view from the firm: The US team focuses on a wide range of cybersecurity and privacy legal, policy and investigative matters including cybercrimes, privacy breaches and intellectual property theft, as well as litigation and investigations. Much of our work has an international dimension and we have broad experience helping companies prepare for cybersecurity and privacy incidents. We bring both deep knowledge and practical experience to bear when advising clients on any cybersecurity and privacy issue at any stage of its lifecycle.
Data solutions clients: Microsoft, Prudential, Brookfield
International and secondment opportunities
Common secondment destinations: London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Singapore
Client secondment examples: Leading companies and financial institutions
Career development & the path to partnership
|
2 |
3.2 : 1 |
15% |
||
|
partners made in 2021 |
associate : partner gearing |
of junior associates intend to make partner |
||
|
58% |
79% |
85% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | strongly agreed the firm’s name adds value to their resume | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Linklaters provides in-house trainings, external firm-paid seminars, CLE courses and credit, observation opportunities, practice group trainings and retreats. Associates have partner mentors and biannual review meetings. Senior attorneys develop training programs, supervise projects, and provide one-on-one trainings to associates. Associates are provided with a marketing budget to grow their network and business development skills. The budget increases with seniority level. We have developed talent programs to create a sustainable pipeline of diverse talent for leadership roles in our firm, including our flagship Women’s Leadership Program, and our pilot INspire Minority Ethnic Talent Programme.
Hours & compensation
|
no requirement |
9 |
58 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
77% |
77% |
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: $205,000
- 2nd year: $215,000
- 3rd year: $240,000
- 4th year: $275,000
- 5th year: $305,000
- 6th year: $330,000
- 7th year: $350,000
- 8th year: $365,000
The view from the firm: We do not have a billable hours requirement. Pro bono hours are treated as equivalent to billable hours. Pay structure is lockstep. Part-time attorneys are given bonus and promotion consideration. In 2020 we introduced a post-COVID global agile working policy, empowering our people to work remotely, for up to 20-50% of their time, without having to request permission, as long as teams are told in advance and operational role requirements are fulfilled.
Is Linklaters the right firm for you?
|
100% |
86% |
85% |
|
said they’d chosen the right firm |
were happy in their current role |
felt comfortable being themselves |
What stands out about the firm's culture?
“If they have the time to spare, everyone is willing to speak with you about the firm, your goals, your practice etc.”
“It's progressive, innovative, international.”
"The access to partners and senior people is unparalleled. Juniors are encouraged to take on responsibility and ownership of their work, while ensuring that communication lines are open with more senior folks."
Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing
|
92% |
67% |
18% |
51% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
rated the firm for mentoring from diverse role models |
of partners are women |
identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: To help us focus and measure our D&I efforts, we have prioritized six strands of diversity globally: Gender, Race & Ethnicity, Social Mobility, Age & Life Stage, LGBTQ+, Disability. Firm development programs include: Reverse mentoring, Women's Leadership Program, INspire Minority Ethnic Talent Program, and Making Links 2L Diversity Fellowship. Our Race Action Plan affirms our commitment to anti-racism and driving change. The plans set out how we will accomplish this at all career stages, with concrete targets and actions, and holds Firm leaders accountable. Additionally, we have global and local affinity groups.
Pro bono
|
81 |
92% |
|
average pro bono |
found the pro bono |
The view from the firm: US lawyers are expected to spend at least 100 hours per annum on pro bono and non-legal community investment and corporate responsibility activities. Pro bono hours are equivalent to billable hours. Our Pro Bono Manager regularly presents pro bono opportunities from public interest organizations, seeking volunteers to handle matters if they are of interest. Lawyers are also welcome to present the Committee with opportunities for consideration. The firm has dedicated over 51,500 hours to 527 organizations. Areas include: Community Development, Corporate Governance, Criminal, Immigration, Human Rights, Life Planning, Non-profit Incorporations, Tax, Rule of Law, Wage Discrimination.
Sustainability and CSR
The view from the firm: Whether through operations or advice to clients, we know that we are in a position to make a real and lasting difference. Accountability and transparency underpin this work, using key external benchmarks and standards to demonstrate our commitment. Between 2009-2020, the firm halved carbon emissions per person. We have scored A- on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the past four years. Our science-based targets require a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. Key dimensions of our ESG initiatives and polices include: (1) Environmental impact, (2) How we work, (3) Our people, (4) Our supply chain, (5) Social impact.
Contact
See opportunities at the firm here>>
Recruitment contacts here>>
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