US-focused healthcare and real estate wizard Polsinelli lays down a clear path for forward-thinking associates.
Polsinelli Lateral Profile 2025
Juniors were drawn to their long-term prospects at the firm, particularly with the fact that “the path to becoming a shareholder (partner) was made clear.” Simmons tells us that for the firm, ensuring associates have a good sense of their future is a priority: “A few years ago we added real career planning with Polsinelli Path which takes the entire eight-year associate track and breaks it down. Not everyone wants to be a partner – people who want to have a family, move cities – so we’ve tried to provide structure for those kinds of conversations, and our turnover since implementing that program has been dramatically lower.”
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…
“Excellent reputation and positive interview experiences. Solid compensation.”
“I chose Polsinelli because it offered me the ability to work on sophisticated transactions throughout the country while also working with great partners that are experts in real estate finance.”
“I chose Polsinelli because of the opportunities and resources it had, and it has lived up to everything it's promised.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
27 |
0.6 : 1 |
83% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
83% |
78% |
79% |
||
| 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: In addition to legal practice training, new associates at Polsinelli are provided professional development workshops on topics like performance optimization; mental resilience; communication skills; time management; legal writing; and Gen AI prompt engineering.
Associates in years one through three are assigned at least one mentor within their practice and workstream upon arrival at Polsinelli. These relationships support them learning to be a lawyer while integrating into the firm, practice group/department and office culture.
Polsinelli Path is a unique career development initiative aimed at associates in year four and beyond, designed to provide individual, strategic support during this critical growth period. Associates collaborate with a shareholder of their choice, their “Pathfinder,” to develop a comprehensive “Path Plan.” Over the course of Path, associates outline how to best align their vision and goals as a lawyer to the work, experiences and skills it takes to realize that vision at Polsinelli.
CEO Chase Simmons, who serves as a Pathfinder, says, “Path allows associates to get real-time guidance from senior colleagues on what it takes to be successful here. This goes beyond mentorship; it is an investment in the future of our teams and the firm.”
Hours & Compensation
|
1,900 |
8 |
46.8 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
74% |
56% |
43% |
| 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: $210,000-$225,000
*The firm did not disclose its salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Billable hour expectations for 1st – 3rd Year Associates: 1,900 Hours
Billable hour expectations for 4th – 8th Year Associates: 1,900 or 2,000. Rising 4th year associates are asked to designate their hours commitment, either 1,800 billable hours or 2,000 billable hours. Both designations, 1,800 or 2,000 hours, are a recognized path to partnership.
Is Polsinelli the right firm for you?
|
89% |
85% |
85% |
|
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’ve been able to make genuine connections with associates and the entrepreneurial spirit at the firm is encouraging; it means that my hard work has been recognized, and I have the opportunity to take on more complex tasks earlier in my career.”
“There’s a good work-life balance and a high-quality work environment.”
“Great firm, great people, great support.”
Pro Bono
|
undisclosed |
78% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: InvestSTL (charity); Legal Aid of Western Missouri (housing); Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land Inc. (entrepreneurial assistance); Down Syndrome Innovations (entrepreneurial assistance); Hope Center KC (housing).
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: legalrecruitingteam@polsinelli.com