Em-Brace this Texan giant devoted to developing its associates, offering a deep well of energy-focused clients.
Bracewell Lateral Profile 2025
As the focus on the Lone Star State may not surprise, Bracewell’s bulk of business comes from the energy sector, with clients predominantly hailing from oil, gas, and renewables. Considering the firm’s undeniable levels of energy for the energy sector, it’s no wonder Chambers USA has recognized the firm’s impressive attributes in the space, including distinctions in offshore energy, public finance, environment, litigation, and over 30 other departments. So, we think it’s safe to say that when it comes to being full service at Bracewell… Houston, we have absolutely no problem here!
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…
“I chose Bracewell because of its strong reputation as a leader in energy and environmental law. My interest in energy law aligns perfectly with the firm’s focus and expertise in this area. Additionally, Bracewell's firm culture matches my working professional interests.”
“I joined Bracewell for its reputation in being a leading energy and energy regulatory law firm in the United States, and because of the collegiality of the Bracewell attorneys that I had a chance to meet prior to accepting my offer to join the firm.”
“It was established as a leader in energy and environmental work. The lawyers also set themselves apart from the competition during the recruitment process in terms of being open, amiable, and warm.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Energy careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell represents stakeholders across the energy spectrum, including oil and gas, conventional power, renewable energy and energy transition projects. With one of the most established and largest teams focused exclusively on the energy sector of any law firm in the world, we are unparalleled in our understanding of the global energy markets and regulatory regimes. Our strong global platform effectively positions us to advise market participants on opportunities presented by the energy transition, including carbon capture utilization and storage, hydrogen development, battery storage and offshore wind.
Energy clients: Apache Corporation, BlueNord, Cheniere, Competitive Power Ventures, CrossBoundary Energy, Eni, Equinor, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Kinder Morgan, Marubeni, Phillips 66, Targa Resources, TC Energy and Total Solar.
Finance careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell advises lenders and borrowers on billions of dollars in financings each year. We represent leading energy companies as well as some of the world’s leading banks and financial institutions on a diverse range of sophisticated financings. In addition, our public finance team helps state and local governments throughout the United States raise revenue for diverse economic development projects. Our industry focus gives us a deep understanding of global financial and energy markets, which allows us to help clients identify investment opportunities and develop creative financing structures that support their business objectives.
Finance clients: Barclays Capital, Citibank, Crédit Agricole, ING Capital, JP Morgan Chase, Macquarie, MUFG, Riverstone Credit, Rockland Capital, Société Générale, Synovus and Truist.
Technology careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell offers a comprehensive platform that helps companies protect the technologies that give them their competitive advantage. Our lawyers work together to provide a well-rounded approach to every facet of technology and intellectual property, including patent prosecution, IP litigation, trademark and copyright protection, outsourcing, technology transactions and data security.
Technology clients: Apache, Cheniere, Dwango, Hines Interest Limited, Marubeni, Medit, NXP Semiconductors, Toshiba and Versata Systems.
Infrastructure careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell is a market-leading firm for infrastructure development. With offices in the world’s leading financial and energy capitals, our infrastructure lawyers provide integrated and seamless service to a diverse mix of stakeholders. We draw on our strengths as a leading global law firm to provide industry-informed advice on renewable energy, power, and oil and gas projects, many of which are the first of their kind. We also help municipalities create economic growth or make infrastructure improvements to airports, roads, schools, stadiums, arts and cultural organizations, healthcare facilities, housing, transportation, utilities, and water and wastewater facilities.
Infrastructure clients: Absa Bank, El Dorado Gold, Eni, Equinor, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Global Infrastructure Partners, Marubeni, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Phillips 66, Rabobank, Targa Resources, Total Solar and Vårgrønn.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: New York, Texas, and London.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Attorneys in our London, Dubai and Paris offices are included in professional development opportunities, including our biennial training academies. Additionally, partners in the overseas offices work with associates on development opportunities through in office trainings.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
5 |
0.55 : 1 |
86% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
71% |
86% |
100% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: From summer associates to partners, the firm tailors training and development initiatives to meet the needs of lawyers at all levels. Bracewell provides interactive weekly boot camps on practice specific topics for junior attorneys and biennial academies for all midlevel and senior associates. We host more than 70 internal CLE courses during the year and maintain access to 10,000+ hours of on demand eLearning content. Associates, counsel and senior counsel in 6+ years of practice complete Career Plans and visit with partners at the firm to discuss their individual career goals.
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
15 |
48 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
71% |
86% |
57% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
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: Our billable hours target is 2,000 hours. Up to 100 hours is given for pro bono work, business development, and recruitment activity. Bracewell has a market-matching lock-step salary and bonus structure.
Is Bracewell the right firm for you?
|
100% |
100% |
100% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: Our goal with lateral hiring is to recruit highly motivated attorneys who can contribute to our firm in a meaningful way. We are looking for individuals with exceptional work experience and a desire to become part of our One Bracewell culture.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The culture is one of high performance without toxicity.”
“The firm is dedicated to professional development of associates.”
“Great team, great platform, great opportunities for growth.”
Pro Bono
|
14 |
71% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Houston Volunteer Lawyers (domestic issues); Her Justice (domestic issues); Kids in Need of Defense (immigration); Tahirih Justice Center (asylum); Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (artists and entrepreneurs).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: For more than 20 years, Bracewell has represented leaving companies in managing energy transition while engaging the market's rising expectations for disclosure and transparency on energy, social issues and governance. Our depth in the energy sector further distinguishes our ESG offering, as socially conscious investors, pensions and evaluation groups in the wide general pubic focused heavily on companies involved in the energy transition.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Jennifer Queen
Chief Talent Officer
Jennifer.Queen@bracewell.com