With a stellar national labor & employment practice and opportunities to get hands-on experience from the get-go, life for associates at this Chicago-born firm is Seyfarth, so good.
Seyfarth Shaw Lateral Profile 2023
When it comes to BigLaw, Chicago native Seyfarth offers one of the top labor & employment practices in the US. In fact, its labor & employment group earns elite status from Chambers USA in its hometown, with top rankings going to its practices in Boston and Atlanta, too. “There’s no better place to practice labor and employment law,” a source declared, describing their motivations for joining the firm.
The other big area for Seyfarth is real estate, and the firm picks up many a Chambers USA accolade for this practice, as well as related areas such as construction and retail.
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…
“Supportive team and great opportunities for professional advancement.”
“Strength of the labor & employment practice group.”
“Nationally recognized for employment / litigation.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
20 |
0.6 : 1 |
68% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
71% |
72% |
89% |
||
| 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: Seyfarth has a Lawyer Development Committee that supports all of its associates. Every associate is assigned a partner mentor as well as an associate buddy when they start at the firm. Seyfarth also offers many mentoring opportunities including a Coaching program, TRIAD program, Associate retreats and Affinity Groups.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
10.2 |
50.2 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
63% |
53% |
47% |
| 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: $190,000
2nd year: $200,000
3rd year: $220,000
4th year: $255,000
5th year: $280,000
6th year: $290,000
7th year: $300,000
8th year: $310,000
Is Seyfarth the right firm for you?
|
89% |
98% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
“There are no pretenses here. You have direct contact with partners and they treat you with respect.”
“Emphasis on the importance of bringing your whole self to the table, which means you have to have something outside the firm to contribute and a healthy support network (e.g., family, friends, community involvement).”
“Management communicated to me that the firm respected a healthy work/life balance and that partners were very supportive of associate's growth.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
88% |
32% |
29% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
Pro Bono
|
20.8 |
100% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Immigration/asylum work for Afghan journalists; Transgender Name Change Clinic; Equal Justice Works fellowship; firearm safety work; racial justice work
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Katie Beach, National Director of Legal Recruiting, kbeach@seyfarth.com