With plenty of transactional work to get your paws on, associates say this Chicagoan is very much the Katten’s whiskers.
Katten Lateral Profile 2023
Settled as it is in the windy city, this firm packs a punch both nationwide and internationally. Beyond its Chicago HQ, Katten has offices in Charlotte, Dallas, LA, New York, Orange County, and DC, plus two extra international bases in London and Shanghai.
When it comes to longstanding practices, Katten picks up plenty of praise from Chambers USA, which commends the firm’s nationwide prowess in areas like bankruptcy/restructuring, healthcare, and various streams of capital markets work. Other highlights for the firm include the Chicago office’s IP and real estate expertise, as well as the New York base’s capabilities in white-collar crime and government investigations matters.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
19 |
0.8 : 1 |
33% |
||
|
partners made in 2022 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
87% |
63.8% |
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: Katten offers comprehensive Onboarding and Integration programs; both formal and informal mentoring and training opportunities at every level of your career (new associate, junior associate, mid-level associate, senior associate, new income partner).
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
8.2 |
45.3 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
72% |
83% |
87% |
| 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
The view from the firm: Katten has a set lock-step system; additional bonuses awarded to associates who have exceeded the minimum billing targets; billing bonuses for business development; discretionary bonuses for associates that have been identified as performing in the top of their class. A certain number of Pro Bono, firm legal work, firm citizenship activities, and work shadowing hours may count towards billing goals.
Is Katten the right firm for you?
|
94% |
87% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
The view from the firm: Katten is an innovative, entrepreneurial firm that is committed to top notch client service. We welcome like-minded, experienced attorneys to consider joining us. When seeking lateral associates, Katten looks for excellent academic credentials, strong drafting and writing skills, and a client-team focused work ethic.
We asked survey respondents what stands out about the firm’s culture?
“Relaxed but nerdy, friendly colleagues, interesting colleagues, collegial atmosphere.”
“Kindness; people were able to make interesting conversation about both the law and other topics; lack of a cutthroat mentality while still being hardworking.”
“While standards are high, there is really no micromanaging - just the expectation of excellent work.”
“All of the associates have a strong working relationship and frequently enjoy having out of office get togethers. I am friends with many of my co-workers, which creates a very positive work environment.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
78% |
25% |
34% |
||
|
reported strong performance in inclusivity training |
of partners are women |
identify as ethnically diverse |
||
Pro Bono
|
40 |
93% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: Edifye; National Immigrant Justice Center and the Muslim Women’s Resource Center (immigration/asylum); Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project and the National Women’s Law Center (women’s rights); Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
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