They don’t come more national than Philly stalwart Duane Morris, so wherever you are in the country, there’ll be a DM office and practice for you.
Duane Morris Lateral Profile 2023
Duane Morris may well be one of the most recognizable legal brands in its home city of Philadelphia, but its reputation extends far beyond the City of Brotherly Love. With 24 offices across the country, DM is one of the most extensively national firms out there. Internationally, DM’s focus is very much on Asia, where it is one of the few US firms to have significant coverage in Vietnam and Myanmar. Under its Duane Morris & Selvam joint law venture, the firm also maintains offices in Singapore and Shanghai. A sole European outpost can be found in London.
DM’s strongest collection of Chambers USA accolades are still centered on its home turf of Philly, where it receives high praise for its expertise in areas like healthcare, general commercial litigation, tax, employee benefits & executive compensation, and bankruptcy & restructuring. Highlights elsewhere include insurance work across California and Texas, as well as communications know-how in Chicago; construction capabilities in New York; and its IP offering in Atlanta. On a nationwide scale, DM leads the country when it comes to cannabis law, and is also recognized for its insurance litigation, immigration, and construction practices.
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…
"Great reputation; flexibility in hours; no micromanaging."
"The people in my office were extremely invested in my development and growth as an attorney."
"Everyone at the firm is genuinely nice and it's an environment that encourages collaboration. Anyone who I've run into that is ultra-competitive directs that towards the matters that they are on and not their coworkers."
International & Secondment Opportunities
Client secondment examples: Opportunities in the technology, healthcare, financial services, banking, automotive and various other sectors.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Secondment opportunities are considered on a case-by-case based on needs of the firm, clients and practice groups among its overseas offices. Associates will be identified by the firm’s Practice Group Heads based on merit, performance and the associate’s ability to represent the firm. The purpose of secondments consider the following:
• Provide associates (or attorneys) with opportunities for short-term regional transfers to gain meaningful work experience aligned with practice focus and to foster intercultural understanding
• Consolidate and reinforce links between lawyers and offices in other regions
• Foster the firm to promote a global mindset across borders while enhancing legal knowledge and expertise and overall quality of our client service
• Address developmental needs of firm lawyers in early to mid years of practice to align with Firm’s global aspirations
• Use as a valuable tool to develop professionally and expand horizons
• Expand and develop contacts within the firm’s network
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
13 |
0.7 : 1 |
40% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
90% |
57% |
90% |
||
| 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: The growth and development of each Duane Morris attorney furthers the central goals of the firm to provide the best legal services possible, develop and build client relationships, and ensure the stature and reputation of the firm with its clients. Associates are also afforded opportunities to develop legal and professional skills with DM Lead curriculum training targeted at each seniority level and practice group skills-based training aimed at achieving practice group core competencies.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
9.4 |
49 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
100% |
63% |
25% |
| 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: $175,000 - $205,000
*The firm does not disclose salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Full-time attorneys have a billable hour requirement of 1,950 hours with up to 100 hours of time expended on pro bono work credited toward the billable hour requirement. Duane Morris maintains a competitive compensation and bonus structure based on productivity, performance, quality of work product and firm citizenship. Our Hybrid Work Policy involves the expectation of maintaining a “regular presence in one’s designated Firm office” of at least three days per week and utilizes a flexible approach to attorneys’ work needs in reliance on the trust we have in our attorneys timely serving our clients and contributing to the professional development of other attorneys and staff.
Is Duane Morris the right firm for you?
|
100% |
100% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
The view from the firm: The lawyers who excel at Duane Morris are talented, energetic attorneys with an entrepreneurial spirit who work together to support our unique culture of inclusiveness, congeniality and consensus. We consider our associates an investment in our future and, as such, are committed to providing them with the necessary tools to develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the firm's continued success.
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
"Everyone is very transparent. That made me believe them when I asked them about their satisfaction with their jobs."
"You are literally not allowed to be rude. I have not met a single rude person since working at DM."
"Supportive of women in the workforce."
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
90% |
29% |
27% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
Pro Bono
|
36 |
100% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Afghanistan Humanitarian Relief – HIAS PA, Human Rights First, IRAP, Bard College, Truman National Security Program; The Food Trust (business law, corporate governance, IP); Sail to Shelter; Center for Reproductive Rights; The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Peggy Simoncini Pasquay, Assistant Director of Legal Recruitment and Relations, simoncini@duanemroris.com