Lateral Look: Nelson Mullins

Worried that “the legal world can feel very pretentious?” Fear not, folks say that ain’t the way at “entrepreneurial” Nelson Mullins.

In seven years, Nelson Mullins has more than doubled its revenue, and its headcount got a chunky boost in 2018 when it merged with Florida powerhouse Broad and Cassel, adding a suite of nine offices in the Sunshine State. The union brought the firm’s national spread to an impressive 25 offices, the majority of which are in the Southeast and across the Eastern Seaboard. 

View the firm's Chambers USA rankings here>>

Why did you choose Nelson Mullins?

Nelson Mullins convinced me that they would offer the best mentorship and that they have an interest in my development as an attorney in the long term.

"The people, the culture, and the room for growth."
    
"Availability of complex litigation matters and Southeast presence."
"Location (cost of living) and environment/people/culture."

I have been very impressed with how the firm has handled the pandemic and weathered the storm.

 

Strategic recruitment focuses 2022

The view from the firm: Nelson Mullins provides advice and counsel in litigation, corporate, economic development, securities, finance, intellectual property, government relations, regulatory, and other needs of clients ranging from private individuals to large businesses, including many publicly held companies. We are committed to recruiting attorneys who help us strengthen and broaden our services.

 

Career development & the path to partnership

 

41

1 : 2

47%

partners made in 2021

associate : partner gearing

of junior associates intend to make partner

71%

95%

81%

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: Structured Associates Training Program which features courses hosted by Partners and Senior Associates for which associates receive billable credit for participating. CLE credit is provided where approved. Associates receive billable credit for Real World Opportunities. Associates mentors serve as a resource for navigating the associate experience and their professional and business development. Able to apply for funds to support their own marketing efforts through an Associates Marketing Fund. Associates Ambassadors program where each office selects a representative to liaison with the Associates Committee. Diverse associates are supported in several ways, including mentoring, Diverse Attorneys Retreat, various affinity groups, etc.  

 

Hours & compensation

 

1,900

6

50

billable hours
target

average number of vacation days associates took in one year

average number of hours associates worked in one week

61%

60%

 

agreed they had a good work-life balance

agreed the bonus amount awarded is fair

 

 

Salaries 

The view from the firm: Billable hour requirement: 1,900. Pro bono requirement: 20 hours. Lockstep compensation structure. Various flexible arrangements for location or workload available on a case-by-case basis, with eligibility determined by the associate’s team leader and the Associates and Executive Committees. Bonus system has two separate components: 1) annual performance-based bonus, and 2) billable hours-based bonus. Wellness subcommittee of Associates Committee provides variety of programming and resources, including yoga and access to mindfulness app.

 

Is Nelson Mullins the right firm for you?

 

90%

82%

78%

said they’d chosen the right firm

were happy in their current role

agreed the firm promotes teamwork and peer support

The view from the firm: Nelson Mullins is looking for lateral associates with relevant experience and excellent skills, with a desire for intellectually engaging work in a collegial, team-oriented environment. The firm’s goal is to advance our clients’ business goals through flexibility, business sense, and tireless advocacy based on a deep understanding of their business worlds.

What stands out about the firm's culture?

“The valuing of genuine rather than hyperbolic client relationships.

"How genuinely nice everyone at the firm is and how excited they were to have me join the firm and help me grow as an attorney; it has been a very safe place for me to learn and grow."
"You are given a significant amount of autonomy, and the partners I have worked with have been very thoughtful about managing my workload to make sure that I wasn't overloaded." 
"The firm is not too formal nor is it elitist. Also, it allows for family prioritization."

 

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

 

72%

67%

24%

27%

rated the firm's efforts to recruit diverse attorneys

felt the firm strives to retain and promote diverse attorneys 

of partners are women

of associates identify as ethnically diverse

 

The view from the firm: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Collection Goal Credit Policy. Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders, High Potentials Program, Affinity Groups: Diverse Attorney Affinity Group, LGBTQ+ Affinity & Ally Group, Women's Affinity Group. Diversity Scholarship Program. Diverse Attorney Sponsorship Program. M&A Diversity Externship. Diversity Awards. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

 

Pro bono

 

46

83%

average pro bono
hours 
per US attorney    

    found the pro bono
work interesting

 

The view from the firm: Election Protection, Veterans Assistance, Estate Planning, Protecting Rights of the Incarcerated, Children & the Law, Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, Support of Nonprofit Organizations. Pro Bono Committee.

 

Sustainability and CSR

The view from the firm: Top three area of focus are (1) energy use, (2) materials/paper use, and (3) recycling. Nelson Mullins utilizes eletronic record-keeping and environmentally-friendly office space, and is moving towards 100% use of recycled paper for copier, printer & bond paper purchases. Our firm works with numerous clients and organizations to develop ways to minimize environmental impacts, including those on climate change. Members of our firm have served in leadership capacities within the American Bar Association and within other organizations dedicated to assisting industry, governments, and other interested parties in finding ways to minimize impacts on climate change.

 

Contact

See opportunities at the firm here>>

Recruitment contacts here>>

Visit the firm's website here>>