Equipped with “some of the top IP lawyers in the game,” this firm’s a big Fish when it comes to all things patents.
Fish & Richardson Lateral Profile 2024
You may already be familiar with some of the big names when it comes to intellectual property law, but according to our sources, this firm was a different kettle of fish entirely. “All I wanted to do was IP and litigation, and of the names that come up, Fish & Richardson is at the top,” one interviewee recalled. “Even when I was a student at law school studying IP litigation, Fish’s name always came up as they have some of the top IP lawyers in the game who deal with some of the biggest matters!” It’s these very matters which score the firm its Chambers USA accolades; Fish’s intellectual property work picks up awards in eight different states (as well as the nationwide category).
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…
“Fish has a small firm feel but the benefits and prestige of a big firm. The attorneys have a work hard/play hard attitude. The partners and management actually care about the wellbeing and success of the associates and staff. The flexibility is unmatched. And the firm has an unspoken ‘no jerks’ rule. I could go on...”
“Most people really care about the right things in a case and for client service. For example, people spend time and energy on what matters and do not waste time on things that do not matter.”
“Hard working and full of smart lawyers who check their egos at the door.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
20 |
0.6 : 1 |
85% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
83% |
85% |
92% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
undisclosed |
9.8 |
48.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
56% |
70% |
64% |
| 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
The firm did not disclose its salaries beyond this point.
Is Fish & Richardson the right firm for you?
|
94% |
98% |
83% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Fish is the #1 intellectual property firm in the country. At Fish, we promote a creative, respectful and inclusive culture that values the diversity of people and allows ingenuity to thrive. You will stretch your skills in high-stakes litigations that call upon technical knowledge and sophisticated legal strategy. You will work on cutting edge technologies for top-tier clients, working with legal practitioners who are leaders in our field. You will become a trusted advisor to clients who are among the world's greatest innovators. You will be a respected teammate, joining a diverse group of attorneys solving intellectual property issues for the world's leading companies.
If you have a passion for science, engineering and intellectual property, we want to hear from you.
Who you are:
- You have a strong technical or scientific background.
- You are enthusiastic about working within a team-oriented environment and will contribute to effective team relationships.
- You enjoy communicating with a diverse group of clients, attorneys, and staff.
- You thrive when using your analytical skills to conduct complex and detailed analysis of legal matters.
- You have an active membership in the state bar and compliance with CLE requirements.
- You have superior writing skills and excellent academic credentials.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Everyone is so welcoming and there is a sense that we are all in this together. Everyone wants everyone else to succeed.”
“The true good-hearted nature of the people at the firm, as well as the inclusion and acceptance of all people, both on paper and in practice.”
“Friendliness! There aren't really any stereotypical angry, jerk attorneys around.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
85% |
26% |
47% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: In 2023 Fish launched a pipeline program, School of Fish: STEM Careers in IP Law, a cost-free educational series for rising juniors, rising seniors, and graduate students who are enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate STEM program. School of Fish is designed to educate students from underrepresented communities about the field of intellectual property law. Sessions expose participants to the types of intellectual property, the multiple areas of IP law practice, and the various career paths of IP professionals, including attorneys, technology specialists, patent agents, and paralegals. Students who complete the program receive: $1000 scholarship; discount for LSAT or Patent Bar Exam preparation courses; reimbursement for LSAT or Patent Bar Exam fees; and personalized career advisement. “School of Fish is designed to expose STEM-focused students from diverse backgrounds to IP law, which historically lacks diversity across many metrics,” said Ahmed J. Davis, principal and national chair of Fish's Diversity & Inclusion initiative. “As a premier IP firm, it’s incumbent upon us to open doors of opportunity by proactively exposing, recruiting, and developing the next generation of diverse IP practitioners and leaders.”
Pro Bono
|
40.97 |
96% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties (immigration/civil rights); Second Look Project (criminal justice reform).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Clare Fifield, Director of Legal Recruiting, recruiting@fr.com