With its foot firmly planted in the Silicon Valley tech scene, Wilson Sonsini helps innovators and lawyers startup their careers.
Wilson Sonsini Lateral Profile 2023
As a firm sitting shoulder to shoulder with the boffins in Silicon Valley for over half a century, it’s no surprise that associates felt Wilson Sonsini’s client base was “unmatched in tech.” In fact, Wilson brought some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley to market (Apple, Twitter, Google and Tesla are just some examples). Anchored with a key base in Palo Alto, offices across San Francisco, LA, and San Diego, and stations on the East Coast including New York and DC, Wilson’s reputation is well recognized across the US. Case in point, our sister guide, Chambers USA, has awarded the firm’s startups & emerging companies work top honors.
But make no mistake, this is no one-trick pony. The firm has actually racked up a total of 20 rankings for everything from IP and tax to antitrust and privacy.
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…
"Reputation for excellence in antitrust practice."
"Premiere life sciences / technology firm, serving emerging companies, with a good interpersonal culture."
"Outstanding reputation in Silicon Valley, cutting-edge technology clients, and kind people."
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2023
Patent careers
The view from the firm: Wilson Sonsini’s expertise services a diverse client base from start-ups to established industry leaders on global patent portfolio development and management. Associates learn from the best through early, hands-on experience and comprehensive training and development opportunities. You will draft and prosecute patent applications, prepare patent opinion letters and provide IP counseling to clients as well as supervise junior attorneys and patent agents. We want to hear from you if you have 1-4 years of patent prosecution law firm experience, patent bar membership, and a background in one of the following fields: cell or molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, pharmacology, organic chemistry, biophysics, or digital health focused disciplines.
IP clients: Lyft; DoorDash; Roblox
Recent highlight: Represented pharmaceutical company Amphastar in its acquisition of Eli Lilly's BAQSIMI nasal spray.
Tax careers
The view from the firm: Our tax attorneys leverage their wide-ranging expertise in federal, state, and international tax law to advise innovative and dynamic clients throughout their stages of development. Our team works closely with the M&A and Capital Markets practice on many domestic and international transactions and counsels clients on tax planning. You will need at least five years of transactional tax experience to be a strong communicator and to assist clients with equity financings, technology transfers, complex licensing, and collaboration arrangements.
Tax clients: Lunar Energy; Momentive; Pismo
Recent highlight: Represented Twitter in its $44 billion acquisition by Elon Musk.
Real estate careers
The view from the firm: Our real estate team’s comprehensive expertise means we regularly advise clients on all aspects of real estate transactions, facility needs, and environmental issues. If you have 3-5 years of real estate transactional experience at a law firm, join our Palo Alto office in this exciting practice.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
18 |
2.3 : 1 |
31% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
76% |
54% |
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: Our professional and career development programs range from substantive legal training to career coaching to business skills. We offer practical training from first-year associates to senior partners and take a blended approach to training, incorporating academies, online self-directed courses, live webcasts, interactive workshops, booster training sessions, just-in-time microlearning videos and interactive eLearning modules. We provide continuing education opportunities for attorneys at all levels through internal training classes, external programs, and online compliance tracking.
New associates are welcomed to the firm with entry-level training classes which provide context for each department's practice, highlights sensitive issues, and provide practical instruction on matters for which newer associates typically are responsible. Additionally, we have formal structures for mentoring and feedback such as our First Year Guides, Lateral Links, WS Connects, and one-on-one career coaching. Senior associates who are interested in becoming partners receive mentors to talk about the partnership process. This is combined with content at the seventh year academy addressing the partnership process.
Wilson Sonsini is committed to the principle that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are vital components of a thriving organization. We incorporate DEI considerations into all talent management practices, including recruiting, hiring, reviews, partner promotions and retention.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
12.5 |
47.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
72% |
80% |
88% |
| 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: $215,000
2nd year: $225,000
3rd year: $250,000
4th year: $295,000
5th year: $345,000
6th year: $370,000
7th year: $400,000
8th year: $415,000
The view from the firm: We offer competitive compensation, market-relevant benefits, and an environment that encourages attorneys to do the best work of their careers. Year-End merit bonuses recognize the individual contributions and performance of attorneys, and also reflect the firm's financial performance.
Is Wilson Sonsini the right firm for you?
|
94% |
96% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
The view from the firm: At Wilson Sonsini, we constantly strive to add experienced and skilled attorneys to our practice. Whether you're an experienced attorney or a judicial clerk, practicing at Wilson Sonsini is a challenging and rewarding experience. Our broad spectrum of practices and our entrepreneurial spirit afford our attorneys exceptional opportunities for professional growth and exploration.
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm's culture?
"Lack of hierarchy - great communication among the partner and associate levels."
"Great training and personal development."
"People are respectful about PTO, weekends, and openly share their lives outside of work."
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
86% |
29% |
42% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
Pro Bono
|
61.7 |
95% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: The Center for Justice & Accountability; ACLU of Utah and the National Center for Lesbian Rights; The Asian University for Women
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