Find your match at Simpson Thacher, a New York heavyweight delivering elite corporate work across the globe.
Simpson Thacher Lateral Profile 2024
As we all know, the boundless BigLaw bay of notable New York firms is both deep and vast, and only some firms are made to last. Although there are many fish in this sea, out of the batch, Simpson Thacher is quite the catch. In fact, it’s a real corporate shark, but that’s not to say the firm hasn’t made its mark in a variety of practices. As one associate reflected on their law school days, “I was afraid that I’d end up in an uncool practice area,” but for this insider, the decision to jump feet first into STB was simple: “Here, each practice group is an industry leader – not just one is amazing, and I knew I would be part of that.” And associates aren’t the only ones making waves at Simpson Thacher, as executive committee chair, Alden Millard, tells us about the past year at the firm and the sophisticated clientele it serves: “We’re well known for our forward-looking advice on critical developments in the markets that impact our clients. [...] For example, we advised Cisco on its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk. We also advised another law firm, Allen & Overy, on its high-profile, market-changing merger with Shearman & Sterling.”
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…
“The people were hardworking, yet happy and approachable. It is a law firm that prioritizes culture without sacrificing quality of legal work.”
“Attorneys were very friendly and approachable; no billable hours requirement; most associates had lateraled from other firms giving confidence that STB is a good place to work.”
“Despite how large our clients are, the partners are very approachable with questions and reasonable with deadlines, outside of urgent tasks.”
International & Secondment Opportunities
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Simpson attorneys share knowledge across practice and regions. International office placements/rotations are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the business needs of our clients and the firm.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
32 |
3.1 : 1 |
78% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
64% |
56% |
83% |
||
| 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: At Simpson Thacher, we take an innovative approach to training and development; helping young lawyers to develop essential skills and broad-based knowledge, instead of narrow niches of legal expertise - especially at the outset of their careers. Using design thinking principles, we offer a variety of resources to support our associates. We offer Multi-day conferences at the first, third, and fifth years to mark key career transition points, internal and external coaching programs, practice group and firm-wide programs, and online training. Simpson also offers Development Mentor Program and a NY Corporate Advisor Program. Incoming associates are assigned partner and associate mentors and lawyers at all levels actively participate in mentoring efforts.
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
16.2 |
50.9 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
50% |
54% |
82% |
| 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: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
The view from the firm: Simpson lawyers do not have an hours requirement and we practice a lockstep compensation model.
Is Simpson Thacher the right firm for you?
|
89% |
93% |
80% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The people are hardworking, yet happy and approachable. It is a law firm that prioritizes culture without sacrificing quality of legal work.”
“The collegial nature that allows a kind of quiet authenticity from associates to shine through. Associates don't have to party with their coworkers in order to create meaningful workplace relationships.”
“There’s a real human piece to the firm where they truly care about people’s wellbeing.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
73% |
29% |
37.5% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: The STB First Look: Law Student Diversity Summit, launched in the spring of 2022, provides first-year law students the opportunity to visit the firm, hear from and network with our lawyers, and learn about corporate practice at a large law firm. This includes a full day of substantive programs about large firm practice and career development. Past speakers have included Robin Arzón and the Firm’s first Black partner, Conrad Harper; in his honor, the firm launched the Conrad Harper Diversity Fellowship in 2021.
In 2023, the Summit was kicked off by the firm’s annual Citywide Diversity Reception (Citywide). The firm has hosted Citywide for the past ten years. It is an opportunity to bring lawyers, clients, law students and other guests together to celebrate inclusion while expanding our collective knowledge of DEI through thought-provoking conversations. Featured speakers have included America Ferrera, Rita Moreno, Laverne Cox, Misty Copeland and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Women’s Leadership Conference: In June 2023, the firm held its inaugural Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) in our New York office. WLC was an opportunity for attendees to hear directly from firm leadership, participate in a facilitated executive leadership presence workshop and engage in professional development conversations with some of the firm’s women partners. Topics explored included pathways to partnership, strategic communication, client engagement and work-life integration. The day’s events were also an occasion to connect and celebrate the accomplishments of our women lawyers.
Pro Bono
|
37.5 |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Represented individual plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the Mississippi Secretary of State. Co-counsel is the Southern Poverty Law Center (civil rights/voting rights); Represented individual plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the Hawaii Department of Education and the Oahu Interscholastic Association. Co-counsel is the ACLU of Hawaii and Legal Aid at Work (civil rights/Title IX); Represented incarcerated client Anthony Penton in civil rights action (civil rights/prisoner rights); Represented six female students who fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in the United States (immigration); Legal Aid of Louisville, Legal Aid Society of New York, Legal Aid DC, the Promise of Justice Initiative, the Innocence Project, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto, Brooklyn Defender Services (criminal justice and conviction relief).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Promoting sustainability and environmental protection initiatives are a priority for Simpson Thacher. As a responsible member of the global community, we have implemented environmentally sound firm policies across our offices. Nearly all of our offices worldwide are either LEED-certified or hold other notable sustainability certifications. Across all offices, we’ve partnered with vendors and suppliers that provide environmentally friendly products and services, modified printers to enable double-sided printing, secure print and use only recycled paper.
We dedicate a significant amount of pro bono time to important environmental causes, including representing the Natural Resources Defense Council on litigation, corporate and other matters since its founding nearly 50 years ago. The firm has also partnered with other organizations on environmentally focused pro bono matters, including working with the Eastern Environmental Law Center and the Rainforest Foundation US.
The firm has an ESG practice group that advises clients on sustainability matters. Additionally, the firm communicates and shares updates to climate goals when inquiries are made. In instances where a client requests a due diligence questionnaire (DDQ) or request for information (RFI) regarding the firm’s climate commitments, the firm continues to share its initiatives that then help clients meet their climate goals through items like vendor sustainability requirements.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: New York: Catherine Sparks
Lateral Recruiting Manager
Phone: +1-212-455-2346
Email Address: AttyRec@STBLAW.com
Houston: Jessica Jones
Manager, Legal Recruiting & Associate Life
Phone: +1-713-821-5647
Email Address: HoustonRecruiting@stblaw.com
London: Natalie Koenig
Senior Recruitment Manager
Phone: +44-(0)20-7275-6114
Email Address: LondonRecruiting@stblaw.com
Los Angeles: Gabriella Marello
Senior Manager, Legal Recruiting & Associate Life
Phone: +1-310-407-6916
Email Address: LosAngelesRecruiting@stblaw.com
Palo Alto: Lauren Adriani
Director of Legal Talent – Regional Strategy
Phone: +1-650-251-5129
Email Address: PArecruiting@stblaw.com
Washington, D.C.: Lindsay Rance
Manager, Legal Recruiting & Associate Life
Phone: +1-202-636-5531
Email Address: DCRecruiting@stblaw.com