Meet Polsinelli, a national stalwart specializing in healthcare, real estate, and financial services who's stolen the hearts of its associates.
Polsinelli Lateral Profile 2024
“We’re a full-service mid-market firm – one of the largest US-only firms,” CEO Chase Simmons cheerfully recaps during our call, “We work for some of the largest companies in the world.” With undeniable growth from its Kansas City roots in the ‘70s, the Polsinelli of today boasts over 20 offices nationwide from coast to coast. With its home in Kansas City, it was the appealing combination of “driven, high-quality work and Midwestern values unlike the coastal city firms” that captured the attention of our juniors. One insider praised Polsinelli for being “a large firm that feels strong, yet with over a thousand lawyers, it doesn’t feel like a huge law firm. I know everyone I work with – it has a small firm feel with large law firm access!”
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…
“The speed at which they sought to integrate lateral attorneys and assimilate them into the larger group, provide support resources, etc. was really noticeable.”
“Their messaging about building careers and supporting associates seemed much more sincere than the firms my friends went to. The people were genuinely good to work with and would take time out of their day to give advice to juniors.”
“The embrace of diversity and friendly atmosphere. It was a place where I knew even as an associate I would be respected.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
30 |
0.6 : 1 |
84% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
83% |
84% |
90% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
1,900 |
8 |
45 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
75% |
71% |
51% |
| 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: $200,000-$215,000
*The firm did not disclose its salaries beyond this point.
Is Polsinelli the right firm for you?
|
94% |
95% |
94% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“It is a very welcoming culture that seems to embrace friendly, Midwestern values. The firm also encouraged cross-office and cross-departmental collaboration; this encouraged me to make my career whatever I want it to be and seek out the type of work that interests me.”
“People here genuinely care about you - I have worked at other firms where people are nice and say the right thing, but here it is followed up with action.”
“There’s a real non-competitive nature, and the firm is intentional and purposeful about adapting to the ever-changing legal landscape.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
67% |
29% |
27% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Polsinelli is currently Mansfield Rule Certified Plus and is participating in the 2024 NextGen pilot program through Diversity Lab. Polsinelli is a current member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and have had two Pathfinders and one Fellow accepted into the 2024 Pathfinder and Fellow program respectively.
Polsinelli has created an internal Touchpoint Program that provides every new minority First Year Associate with more experienced informal mentor to assist their sense of belonging. In 2023, we held our Minority Attorney Retreat for all minority attorneys, Summer Associates, and the Staff DE&I Committee. During the two-day retreat, we created a safe space for open discussions on topics from business development to mentorship, origination credit and workflow along with presentations from external speakers. We allotted time for the resource groups to meet privately to discuss issues of utmost importance the members of their underserved communities.
Polsinelli organized and hosted a virtual OutLaw Open House for several law schools and LGBTQ+ law students.
Pro Bono
|
undisclosed |
68% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: CrossPurpose (affordable housing); Legal Aid of Western Missouri (housing); Michael Bramit (criminal law); Family Drug Court (criminal law); Bobby Bostic (criminal law).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: legalrecruitingteam@polsinelli.com