Breaking into this Boston behemoth where tech and private equity rule supreme means that with Goodwin, you can’t lose.
Goodwin Lateral Profile 2025
“They know that your outside life should be respected,” one interviewee nodded, “and that work is not always the end all and be all.” By no means are we implying that Goodwin’s work isn’t of the highest caliber though. Over at Chambers USA, the firm is ranked in over 75 departments, showcasing its prowess in areas such as banking & finance, capital markets, corporate/M&A, intellectual property, life sciences, private equity, litigation, and many more. With nine international offices and eight in the States – the associates on our list were split between the Boston and New York offices – sources based in the firm’s hometown were keen to point to its local renown when we asked them why they joined. An insider highlighted, “I didn’t want a firm where the Boston office was an afterthought, so that narrowed down my choices pretty quickly!” With the firm’s dedication to doing great work and fostering a positive environment, it’s no wonder our sources felt Goodwin could take them from good to great.
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…
“Goodwin positions itself on the cutting edge of emerging industries and is known for a more congenial culture.”
“I chose Goodwin because they are the best in the Life Sciences industry. I consider Goodwin the best because of the volume of company-side clients they service in the industry. Although, we without a doubt also provide services for investor and buy-side, Goodwin is truly a life cycle firm for any startup in the Life Sciences industry from formation to exit.”
“I initially applied to my firm because on the Chambers page, it was rated very highly for "associate quality of life." When I interviewed and started meeting the people here, I joined because everyone here is a human being; they are supportive, reasonable, and work very hard.”
International & Secondment Opportunities
Client secondment examples: Plug Power, Pinnacle Fertility, Dynatrace, Rocket Central, Blackstone, Ares Management, BlackRock, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Launched in 2018, the Global Rotation Program strives to enhance integration across our U.S. and International offices for business law and litigation associates (fifth-year and above) and counsel. Participants have the opportunity to visit up to two Goodwin offices outside of their home country for up to a four-week period to network, gain visibility into client relationships and shadow deals in different geographies.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
34 |
1.6 : 1 |
61% |
||
|
partners made |
associate : partner |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
52% |
46% |
56% |
||
| 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: Goodwin offers robust training programs for our attorneys, including over 350 trainings that are CLE eligible. In addition, we deliver leadership training at critical career junctures:
- The First Year Development Program is an immersive, 8-week multi-disciplinary program that provides intensive training in both legal practice and other core skills through the Business Law Practice Lab, Litigation Academy, Mini-MBA, and Professional Skills programming.
- The Developing Your Path program leverages Harvard Business School and internal faculty to help mid-level associates proactively approach career development and work effectively as managers of people and projects.
- The Transition to Leadership program leverages Harvard Business School and internal faculty to help fifth-year and more senior associates develop leadership styles and understanding of firm strategy in preparation for elevation to counsel or partner roles.
- The Advanced Leadership Challenge helps more junior partners strengthen their project management, client development and team leadership skills, and broaden their understanding of professional service firms, innovation and organizational development.
- Our Negotiations Skills Workshop & Abilitie Influence Challenge program uses lectures and exercises to provide an overview of key negotiation dynamics and bargaining tactics in relation to the challenges our clients face, all in a highly interactive, simulation-style learning platform.
- Deposition Skills Workshop is a two-day immersive workshop for litigation attorneys in collaboration with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). The program consists of instructional lectures and exercises allowing each participant to conduct mock depositions with feedback and coaching from our partners and expert NITA faculty.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
14 |
49 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took |
average number of hours associates worked |
|
43% |
64% |
65% |
| 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: Attorneys who meet the 1,950 billable hours threshold will be eligible to receive a bonus. Billable hours include not only client related work, but pro bono work as well and there is no cap on the amount of pro bono hours an attorney can do. Attorneys may also earn billable credit for attending up to 25 hours of training programs. In addition, attorneys who record at least 25 hours of time on certain firm initiatives like developing firm training programs or supporting the firm’s culture and innovation efforts may earn up to 100 hours of billable credit for their work.
At Goodwin, inclusion is more than a concept. We bring inclusion to life by adapting our work place to meet people where they are. From need-blind flexible work arrangements, to alternative career paths, to creative accommodation solutions, we look beyond traditional diversity categories in our inclusion work. We celebrate the differences that each individual brings to our firm, we find the unique value in each employee and we provide creative work-life solutions for our people. We created a formal flexible work program called “FlexWork” to support lawyers who have personal commitments outside of work that cause them to seek non-traditional or reduced-time schedules.
Is Goodwin the right firm for you?
|
74% |
77% |
73% |
|
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: At Goodwin, we partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition. Our lawyers across the United States, Europe, and Asia excel at complex transactions, high-stakes litigation and world-class advisory services in the technology, life sciences, real estate, private equity, and financial industries. Our unique combination of deep experience serving both the innovators and investors in a rapidly changing, technology-driven economy sets us apart. We look to add team members who practice in these areas and share in our commitment to excellent client service, thrive in a collaborative environment and promote and foster an inclusive workplace. We work to ensure that everyone feels welcome and has the support and opportunities to be successful.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I really like the Goodwin culture – people really care about each other here and want to see each other do well.”
“People at Goodwin really stand out to me because of their friendly and respectful demeanor. It is a place where you can come in as a first year and make an immediate impact in whatever practice area you choose.”
“The people are incredible and fun to work with, the culture is one in which people are encouraged to not overwork and enjoy a work-life balance, and the work is challenging and interesting.”
Pro Bono
|
58.4 |
80% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Ashley Nelson, Managing Director, Talent Acquisition, Legal
legalrecruiting@goodwinlaw.com