This LA native has Paul-ished its performance across its global network, working like a well-oiled machine without making its associates feel like cogs in the wheel.
Paul Hastings Lateral Profile 2024
Paul-of-all-trades isn’t a phrase that’s quite caught on yet, but considering the range of work Paul Hastings has to hand, we think it could work pretty well. As global managing partner Sherrese Smith explains, “while most firms might be heavier in either litigation or corporate, we’ve been good about being diversified in both.” So, contrary to the second half of the phrase, PH is certainly not a master of none. Case in point: the firm earns an array of top billings from Chambers USA, such as an elite Californian labor & employment ranking, and further top recognition in general commercial and white-collar litigation in New York. Nationwide, PH receives kudos in capital markets, FCPA, international trade & sanctions, corporate crime & investigations, and leisure & hospitality. Long story short, whether litigious or transactional, PH has it covered. “I knew I would get immediate exposure to the highest end of litigation,” one litigator evidenced, while a corporate associate raved about how “it’s so cool to see the work you’re doing in the news.”
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
9 |
1.9 : 1 |
|
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
|
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
10.7 |
47.9 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
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
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
| 21.3% | 35.7% |
| of partners are women | of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
The view from the firm: Led by an ethnically diverse management trio comprised of our firm chair and two global managing partners, Paul Hastings is literally powered by diversity.
Paul Hastings recruits the best and brightest talent to become active contributors to our firm’s success. We participate in law school-sponsored recruiting and diversity programs designed for first-year students and offer a competitive scholarship to select 1L and 2L law students who demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and contributing to the firm’s diversity goals. In 2023, 33% of our lateral partner hires were women or ethnically diverse
As a part of our commitment to building a diverse team of professionals and fostering an inclusive work environment, we are pleased to offer ten Paul Hastings Diversity Scholarship Awards to select first or second-year law students. Recipients of this Scholarship Award receive a paid 1L and/or 2L Paul Hastings summer associate position and a $50,000 scholarship award. To increase diversity in our partner, counsel, and associate ranks, we offer a robust training program based on career stage. Paul Hastings provides a mix of targeted professional and business development programming to increase advancement and development for our broad base of attorneys and professional staff.
Paul Hastings is committed to broadening the pipeline of diverse attorneys who receive origination credit for our matters, as well as those who work on our matters. When rewarding attorneys for the origination of new client relationships and matters, we encourage collaboration and allow multiple attorneys to receive the designation of originating attorney for a single client or matter.
We are thoughtful in our approach to succession planning, ensuring that the slate of professionals who will continue the client relationship includes all who have contributed to successful work performed for the client. Our strategy includes developing women and ethnically diverse partners as successors for critical roles with our clients and in firm management through mentorship, sponsorship, and training.
Through the Paul Hastings Diversity & Inclusion Budget Credit Program, associates can receive up to 50 qualifying hours toward their bonuses for contributions on specific, pre-initiatives that advance diversity, inclusion, and leadership development.
Since 2006, the firm has been home to our Paul Hastings Affinity Networks (PHANs), which are open to all regardless of background. Our PHANs promote inclusion while providing various leadership, professional and business development opportunities, including our:
- Asian PHAN
- Black PHAN
- Women PHAN
- PH Pride
Pro Bono
|
45.8 |
|
average pro bono |