If energy is your game, Bracewell is the name. This full-service Texan gives juniors a real shot at making partner “and the ability to have a life outside of the office.”
Bracewell Lateral Profile 2023
Lawyers are playing a crucial part in the functioning of the energy sector and Bracewell is one of those firms that is synonymous with the market; the firm collects a clutch of nationwide Chambers USA ratings for areas such as oil and gas, electricity, and renewables.
Texas is Bracewell’s home turf and where it still collects the most accolades from Chambers USA, including nods for its banking & finance, capital markets, corporate M&A, and labor & employment expertise. Its DC base gets recognition for its environment know-how, while New York scoops up praise for the firm’s white-collar crime & government investigations practice.
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 appreciated the firm's commitment to the professional development of its associates, emphasis on well-being, and cultivation of a one-Bracewell culture.”
“I joined Bracewell due to its established reputation with respect to energy work. Most of my experience related to oil and gas regulatory work and Bracewell seemed like a natural fit for me to continue that work.”
“Bracewell emphasizes hiring people that fit the firm's friendly and team-oriented culture.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2023
Energy careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell represents participants in the oil and gas, conventional power, solar, wind and renewables sectors. With over 50 years of industry experience and one of the largest dedicated energy teams of any law firm in the world, we have a deep understanding of the global energy markets and the drivers for commercial success. Our strong global platform effectively positions us to advise market participants on opportunities presented by the energy transition, including developments in hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and sequestration technologies. Our deep knowledge of the energy industry and strong global platform makes us the firm of choice for Apache Corporation, Cheniere, Competitive Power Ventures, Eni, Equinor, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Kinder Morgan, Marubeni, Phillips 66, Storegga Geotechnologies, Targa Resources, TC Energy and Total Solar for sophisticated transactional, regulatory and litigation matters.
Recent work highlight: Represented Navigator CO2 Ventures, a BlackRock Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Fund portfolio company, in the development of a carbon capture pipeline system.
Finance careers
The view from the firm: Bracewell advises on billions of dollars in financings each year. We represent some of the world’s leading banks — including 15 on the Global Finance 20 — on a diverse range of sophisticated financings. We also help 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. We represent a broad cross section of banks, financial institutions and investment funds in highly sophisticated and complex transactions, including Citibank, Crédit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Macquarie, MUFG, Société Générale and Wells Fargo.
Recent work highlight: Represented JP Morgan Chase in a revolving credit facility worth $1.5 billion.
Technology careers
The view from the firm: Our comprehensive platform helps companies protect the technologies that maintain their competitive advantage. We represent technology companies such as Big Fish Games, HTC, Sysco, Tetra Technologies, Toshiba and Xiamoi, as well as global companies such as Baker Hughes, Lockheed Martin and Saudi Aramco on the technologies vital to their businesses. Our lawyers work together to provide a well-rounded approach to every facet of technology and intellectual property. With deep industry knowledge and experience, we are a firm of choice for sophisticated patent prosecution, IP litigation, trademark and copyright protection, outsourcing, technology transactions and data security.
Recent work highlight: Represented Southwest Airlines in relation to the restructuring and negotiation of IT and telecommunications agreements.
Infrastructure careers
The view from the firm: We are a market-leading firm when it comes to 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, including Alcazar Energy, AP Energy, Basalt Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Infrastructure, Eni, Equinor, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, Kinder Morgan, Macquarie, Marubeni, Phillips 66, Star America Infrastructure Partners, TC Energy and Total Solar. 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.
Recent work highlight: Represented Balfour Beatty Investments in its bid for a P3 project in Oregon.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: New York; Texas; London
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Attorneys in our London and Dubai 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
|
8 |
0.9 : 1 |
53% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
82% |
65% |
87% |
||
| 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: Professional development at Bracewell spans the life cycle of our lawyer's careers. 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.
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
8.4 |
46.5 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
74% |
65% |
74% |
| 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: Up to 100 hours is given for diversity and pro bono work. Bracewell has a market-matching lock-step salary and bonus structure.
Is Bracewell the right firm for you?
|
88% |
92% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
The view from the firm: Our goal with lateral hiring is to recruit a diverse group of 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. Once at Bracewell, your professional development and well being are our top priority.
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
“Very laid back and encourage a rounded lifestyle. Focus on doing things right instead of quick. Firm makes it clear that their recruitment strategy has a focus on sustainability and that they don't desire turnover the way other large firms do.”
“The people were generally warm and friendly and seemed to get along with each other. They spent time with each other away from work, asked how each other's children/pets/significant others were doing, and knew about each other's hobbies. There wasn't this forced sense of collegiality -- it seemed very genuine. Everyone also seemed comfortable being themselves and encouraging others to do the same.”
“Bracewell invests greatly in its associates continued development, and I was impressed with the number of partners who began their career at Bracewell as summer associates.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
55% |
29% |
15% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
Pro Bono
|
32.7 |
73% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Halcyon House (start up entrepreneurs); Houston Volunteer Lawyers (domestic issues); Her Justice (domestic issues); Kids in Need of Defense (immigration); Tahirih Justice Center (asylum)
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 public 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