If you’re looking for “real international connections” coupled with a cozier culture, don’t let this Chance slip by.
Clifford Chance Lateral Profile 2024
Brits and Americans tend to disagree on a few things when it comes to numbers, whether that’s the MM/DD format, the metric system, or even the minimum distance of a ‘long’ journey. Yet Clifford Chance’s 2,500+ attorneys across 32 offices undeniably makes it one big firm. That at least, we can all agree on. Despite its UK origins, the BigLaw name is one that fits Clifford Chance down to a T, and it was the firm’s scale that was a big part of the draw for our interviewees: “I was attracted to the idea of working at a truly international firm, with real international connections,” one told us, “rather than one with a few relationships with firms in other countries.” Despite being such a global superstar, Clifford Chance’s US arm is still comparatively young, and growing. Associates felt the firm had “almost a midsized vibe with BigLaw matters, clients and events.” Coupled with a smaller headcount, the current crop of juniors found that “this is definitely a place where they value you as a whole person.” What’s more, interviewees appreciated that while “there’s a more homey aspect, you still get to work on big deals and get broad experience.”
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…
“The people at Akin are relaxed, friendly, and fun to be around while still getting the work done. The interview process at Akin was enjoyable, and borderline fun, for me, which stood out compared to other BigLaw firms, where the interviews were so serious."
"The ability to work on high-end legal matters without the likelihood of burning out after a couple of years. Also, the firm gives attorneys a lot of responsibility and a client-facing role from the time they start."
“Transparency and accessibility. The leadership, partners and more senior associates are always available and responsive to questions or concerns raised, even going out of the way to seek you out to check in. There is both formal and informal mentoring, and I think both methods are very effective."
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2024
Global financial markets careers
The view from the firm: The combination of our Finance and Capital Markets practices is an incredibly strong market proposition. Our aim is to be seen by banks, financial investor and corporate enterprise clients as the world's leading integrated finance and capital market practice. Focus areas include Sustainable Finance, Projects & Infrastructure, Asset Finance, Financial Services Regulatory and Big Bank M&A.
Global financial markets clients: Credit Suisse, Nuveen, Ready Capital.
Recent work highlight: Advised Bayview Asset Management on the $136.1 million Bayview Financing INV Trust 2022-1F securitization of certain mortgage-backed securities.
Corporate and L&DR careers
The view from the firm: Our Corporate practice is focused on a balanced portfolio of market-leading clients across Financial Investors, Corporate Enterprises and Banks who view us as their trusted advisor across multiple products and jurisdictions. Key growth areas include Antitrust, FIs, Corporate Enterprises and Tech & IP. In L&DR, we advise on a wide range of areas, including but not limited to; Commercial and Financial Services Litigation, White Collar and Enforcement, Regulatory and Compliance, and Antitrust. Our practice includes former prosecutors and regulators and can draw on subject matter experts throughout our US transactional and regulatory practice. Our lawyers are focused on helping our clients minimize the risk of litigation, and we advise our clients on how to comply with their legal and regulatory obligations.
Corporate and L&DR clients: Informa, Sixth Street, Mitsui & Co.
Recent work highlight: Advised Royal DSM, a global science-based company, in the sale of its Engineering Materials business to private equity firm Advent International and German chemicals company Lanxess for an enterprise value of €3.85 billion.
Tax, pensions, and employment careers
The view from the firm: The TPE team provides seamlessly integrated Tax, Pensions, Employment and Incentives advice to help clients move transactions forward, regularly advising on US and international taxation, covering corporate and commercial transactions, equity and debt offerings, real estate and private equity funds and investments, financing and securitization transactions, tax-efficient structured transactions, insurance taxation, charitable organizations and the resolution of tax disputes. Our Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation lawyers regularly advise domestic and multinational companies on critical employment matters in M&A transactions, including the treatment of equity compensation, negotiating employment agreements and pension plan terminations. Our ERISA team advises on all aspects of Title I of ERISA, including fiduciary issues in connection with the investment of employee benefit plan assets as well as the fiduciary responsibility requirements that pension plan investment committees must comply with.
Tax, pensions, and employment clients: Pfizer, Grenergy Renovables, Admiral Group.
Recent work highlight: Counseled Nuveen Green Capital on a fund formation related to the financing of various environmental projects, often related to clean energy and water conservation.
Technology and energy/ESG careers
The view from the firm: Our tech group of more than 600 lawyers takes a different approach to helping clients solve tech challenges with a focusing extending across Antitrust, M&A & Investments, IP, Litigation, Tax, Pensions & Employment, Cyber, Fintech, Proptech, Healthtech and more.
We advise clients the world over on sustainable business transition and transformation, offering global coverage and technical excellence in the major aspects of Energy & Infrastructure, and wider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. The climate emergency, imperative social issues, and increased importance of effective governance require advice and support from the forefront of ESG developments, as part of achieving the Just Transition. We focus on climate change, energy transition, sustainable finance, business & human rights, inclusion & diversity, and stakeholder governance, regulatory & trade, and corporate governance & directors' obligations.
Technology and energy/ESG clients: 7-Eleven, Hodes Well, Cintra Digital Business Ventures.
Recent work highlight: Advised Alter Domus, a global provider or tech-enabled fund administration, on its acquisition of Solvas from Deloitte.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: Hong Kong, London, Paris, São Paulo, Singapore
Client secondment examples: Our associates have opportunities for client secondments with leading international financial institutions and corporations all around the world. The secondments last anywhere from three months to a year. We see these opportunities as critical to continuing professional development and relationship building.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Clifford Chance has 33 offices in 22 countries and a dedicated global mobility team to handle short- and long-term international transfers and secondments, to both US and primarily non-US practice groups. These secondment opportunities are well supported within the network, offering our associates a unique career opportunity to expand their exposure to international markets.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
5 |
2.1 : 1 |
42% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
68% |
26% |
84% |
||
| 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 development of our associates is critical to our success: associates participate in practice-specific training as well as a global business skills curriculum focused on business development, client relationships and people-management. Each associate is also paired with a Career Development Mentor (CDM) who, in addition to providing general guidance, is responsible for expanding their mentee's network of contacts. These pairings are reviewed annually, with frequent check ins scheduled to ensure the associate is progressing. In addition to our formal mentoring program, many of our attorneys also participate in reverse mentoring where a senior leader of the firm is paired with a junior colleague from a different background bringing a different perspective of their firm experience as a result.
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
15.6 |
48 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
59% |
84% |
84% |
| 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: $225,000
2nd year: $225,000
3rd year: $230,000
4th year: $260,000
5th year: $310,000
6th year: $365,000
7th year: $395,000
8th year: $420,000
The view from the firm: The firm understands the importance of balancing success in the workplace with life outside the office and has implemented a flexible work arrangement where lawyers are able to work remotely for up to three days each week. In addition to an annual health fair, the Firm also hosts monthly lunch seminars dedicated to issues surrounding mental and physical health, and partners with Corporate Counseling Associates (CCA) which, among other services, provides 24/7 virtual counseling from a dedicated team of coaches. Compensation is lockstep and associate bonuses are based upon a number of factors including performance, pro bono hours, and overall firm contributions.
Is Clifford Chance the right firm for you?
|
81% |
95% |
79% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: We recognize that the world is changing and we must be able to adapt in order to lead and shape our sector. Strategic lateral recruitment is critical in growing our Americas region, but also ensuring that we have market-leading capabilities that are most important to our clients. Cultural fit: those who will work hard (together) is a top priority; we emphasize the importance in recruiting new joiners with a wide range of experiences: those from different backgrounds and cultures bringing new perspectives and novel ideas. For all current openings please visit www.cliffordchance.com/careers.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Everyone is extremely nice, they want you to succeed, and everyone is willing to mentor you.”
“The culture struck me as very friendly, supportive, and open, and I have found this to be true.”
“Almost all colleagues being very nice and supportive; no "rat race" environment.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
79% |
23% |
41% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: As a global firm, we have a distinct advantage in being able to work alongside talented professionals from all over the world.
We recently added to our six regional Affinity Groups (AAPI, Arcus LGBTQ+, Black & Latino, CliffVets, Working Parents and Women’s) with the establishment of our Jewish Affinity Group and Enable, a group supporting colleagues living with a disability and who are neurodiverse.
This spring, following his presentation to our US offices regarding allyship and how to navigate difficult conversations, we invited NYU Professor Kenji Yoshino to meet with the highest levels of management for a day-long workshop and candid discussion focused on how to best support our colleagues. The Black and Latino Affinity Group also hosted two recent events: a fireside chat featuring partners and senior associates from our New York, São Paulo, Houston, and London offices. The second, co-hosted with our Tech group, featured a conversation with Mutale Nkonde, founding CEO of AI For the People about the intersection of race, ethnicity and artificial intelligence.
Pro Bono
|
undisclosed |
84% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Lawyers for Good Government (reproductive rights); National Veterans Legal Services Program; International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (advocacy, research, litigation support, human rights); My Sisters’ Place (domestic abuse, immigration, human trafficking); DC Volunteers Lawyers Project (domestic abuse, immigration, guardianship).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, Clifford Chance submits global environment data annually to CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project).
We are committed to the UN Global Compact and associated global frameworks. We signed the Business Ambition for 1.5°C commitment letter in October 2021 and have submitted our Science Based Targets, which have been validated. We commit to reduce absolute GHG emissions for scopes 1&2 80% by 2030 and scope 3 47% within the same time frame.
We recognize the importance of Climate Change and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG #13 on climate action. We also consistently consider how best to promote and invest in our market-leading renewable energy, clean technology, energy transition, sustainable development, environmental and green financing practices. An active dialogue with our clients and other stakeholders on this issue is critical. The firm has developed a Climate Change Policy in support of the principle that it acts as a responsible business.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Haylin Low, Senior Lateral Partner Recruiting Manager – US