Equipped with a Fresh rebrand, this international superstar is ready to take the Field in the US.
Freshfields Lateral Profile 2025
The firm now has five offices in New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Washington, DC and, most recently, Boston. Unsurprisingly, many of our interviewees chose Freshfields for its focus on growth stateside. “I loved the idea of being part of building something,” one junior reflected, “The growth has surpassed my expectations and it’s fun to be part of it.” Day to day, “I work with lawyers in Madrid, London, France and across the US.” Despite this massive global reach, associates agreed that “Freshfields still feels like a small firm. The New York office was smaller when I first started, so I’ve really gotten to know people well. Even from the interview stage, they’ve always treated me as a person.”
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…
“Freshfields was always known for having a strong global presence. With the potential for growth in the US starting to sparkle, it seemed like a great opportunity to join a place that was destined for great things.”
“I really wanted to work at a firm that specialized in cross-border work and Freshfields fit the bill perfectly.”
“It was clear there was value placed on entrepreneurial thinking and on firm building, including the mentorship and training of its associates.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
4 |
3.07 : 1 |
62% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
72% |
47% |
75% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
no requirement |
15 |
48.3 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
64% |
86% |
86% |
| 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 round 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
Is Freshfields the right firm for you?
|
89% |
90% |
88% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I loved the people and the energy it gave off. People were genuinely kind and were people I could see being friends with outside of work.”
“I was drawn to the international flavor of the firm, and the ambitious growth the firm is presently undergoing. There is an electricity in the air here that makes you feel like you are a part of something that is going to change the face of the legal industry.”
“The mentorship I’ve received as a junior associate thus far has been phenomenal.”
Pro Bono
|
78 |
86% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Immigration for the International Refugee Assistance Project; gun safety for the Giffords Law Center; representing the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services in matters related to the Second and Fourth Amendments.
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Against a baseline of 2018/19, to be met in 2027, the targets include: 55% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions; 100% renewable energy supply in all offices (by 2030); 35% reduction in business travel-related emissions ; and, 62% of suppliers committed to science-based targets. Our wider environmental commitments include a 40% paper reduction by 2025, phase-out single-use plastics in catering, hospitality and refreshment areas, and ensuring all office moves and refits meet ambitious sustainability standards (e.g. LEED Gold certification for our new San Francisco office).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: USLateralRecruiting@freshfields.com