BakerHostetler LLP - The Inside View

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The first stage: recruitment on and off campus 

OCI applicants interviewed: 184 

Interviewees outside OCI: 226

BakerHostetler primarily recruits via direct applications, but also finds candidates through a variety of pathways, including OCIs, referrals, and network events. In line with recent industry-wide changes in hiring trends, the process now begins in early fall, though the firm works with law school career services to tailor its timeline to fit student calendars. Initial interviews are typically conducted by one or two attorneys, and in the case of OCIs, these are usually alumni of the college in question. According to the Firmwide Manager of Student Recruiting, Kristen Parrish, BakerHostetler is on the lookout for candidates whose applications display their “motivation, career-mindedness, applied smarts and judgment, intellectual curiosity, strong communication, initiative, and ownership.” In the last cycle, the average time from initial application to offer was 28 days. 

Top tips for this stage: 

“What worked for me was finding attorneys who worked at BakerHostetler through events and other programs. I met people whom I was able to reference in my cover letter, and was advised that my application should emphasize things that I did outside of traditional academic stuff, such as my hobbies and sports teams.” – a second-year junior associate 

“We’re more interested in what candidates bring to the table than what school they went to.” – Kristen Parrish, Firmwide Manager of Student Recruiting 

Callbacks 

Applicants invited to second stage interview: 134

Typically, candidates participate in three 30-minute interviews, each featuring two interviewers. These interviewers are a mix of partners and associates chosen to fit the candidate (for example, alumni of the same school, or experts in a practice area in which the candidate has expressed interest), and the hiring partner also regularly participates. Interviews can be either virtual or in-person, and in several offices, candidates attending face-to-face interviews will also be invited to stay for a meal.

Relative to the initial interview, questions at this stage are more open-ended, in order to encourage the candidate to do most of the talking and get conversations flowing. Interviewers aim to get an insight into the applicant’s working styles, probe their aptitude for analysis, and understand their interest in both the firm and the specific office location where they are applying. Those who have been through the process had warm words for the open and welcoming way in which it is conducted. “All the interviewers here are very nice,” one reported, noting that “they’re not trying to engage in gotchas; they’re trying to find someone who will fit in well.”

Top tips for this stage: 

“Show that you’ve done your research. You don’t need to know everything about us, but familiarity with something more than what practice groups we have makes a big difference. Researching your interviewers also goes a long way and can lead to a more conversational, positive interview experience.” – Kristen Parrish, Firmwide Manager of Student Recruiting 

“It’s really about the cultural fit. If you get an interview, you’ve got the credentials, but they are looking for someone whom they can spend 12 hours a day with if they have to.” – a second-year junior associate 

Summer program 

Offers: 60 

Acceptances: 44 

BakerHostetler’s summer program typically spans ten weeks from late May to late July. Before they arrive, attendees are polled on the kind of work they want to try, and these preferences are used to inform the tasks they will be allocated through the program’s central portal. They are not limited to a set number of practice areas, but – thanks to firm’s ‘unassigned’ system – are able to flexibly sample the full range of BakerHostetler’s teams. Typical experiences include attending group sessions, depositions, trials, and other court proceedings, labor arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and business transaction closings. Attendees also usually tackle two substantive writing projects during the program, and may have the opportunity to get involved in pro bono work as well. They are given associates as mentors and partners as writing advisers, who add their advice and feedback to that regularly provided by the attorneys overseeing each individual assignment. Further training takes place through the Firmwide Summer Training Program, which gives associates across the firm additional opportunities to get to know each other better. Throughout, regular social events are also organized, including outings to sports games, theater performances, food tours, boat trips, and many more.

Top tips for this stage: 

“Talk to everyone you want to talk to, whether that’s former summer associates to find out about their experiences, associates for insight into choosing a practice, partners who practice something you’re interested in, or laterals to find out why they chose Baker. And ask questions. Everyone is invested in your success so if you have questions about an assignment, a practice group, or anything – ask them!” – Kristen Parrish, Firmwide Manager of Student Recruiting 

“Sometimes people are a bit shy, but the summers who thrive are the ones who are actively reaching out to people, because everyone really does want to talk to them! Also, be good at time management; they’re not going to overwhelm you with work, and you shouldn’t be working after hours, but if you get a long-term project at the beginning of summer, don’t wait to get started on that.” – a third-year junior associate 

“I always felt really comfortable as a summer about not being expected to know everything. But make sure you stay on top of things like proofreading and basic research. The things that you do already know how to do, make sure you do them well.” – a second-year junior associate

And finally…. 

“Keep in touch with us,” Kristen Parrish advises, “whether that’s through alumni of your law school, recruiters and attorneys you meet at networking events, or when we come on campus.”

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USA Guide, 2026

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    • Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded (Band 4)
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