Need to Son-si it to believe it? Introducing this Silicon Valley staple, a go-to for top-of-the-market tech and life sciences work.
Wilson Sonsini Lateral Profile 2025
Wilson Sonsini is a big firm, with an even bigger reputation amongst the biggest players in the tech and life sciences space. Though today it has 14 offices stateside and another four internationally, Wilson Sonsini’s history has seen it spend over 60 years in Silicon Valley, the beating heart of the tech work, which has allowed the firm to have a helping hand in the creation of some of the most recognizable names in the market. The combination of quality work and culture creates a winning formula that attracts talent from all corners of the country, though the firm’s juniors are mainly located in its Palo Alto and San Francisco offices, with most of the rest based between Washington DC, Boston, San Diego and Seattle.
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…
“For the interesting clients, technology work, and the people.”
“I made the decision to lateral to Wilson because everyone I interviewed with was incredibly smart, kind and thoughtful. Wilson also has several programs and initiatives that made it an easy choice, like unlimited creditable pro bono hours and creditable citizenship hours.”
“I joined Wilson because I had a sense that the firm would support my personal and professional goals and provide the necessary mentorship and development for my career.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Patent prosecution careers
The view from the firm: With the largest life sciences-focused patent practice in the world, Wilson Sonsini’s unmatched expertise services a diverse client base from start-ups to established industry leaders on global patent portfolio development and management. Associates learn from the best through early, hands-on experience and comprehensive training and development opportunities. Associates drafts and prosecute patent applications, prepare patent opinion letters, and provide IP counselling to clients as well as supervise junior attorneys and patent agents.
Our patent prosecution looks for associates with 1-4 years of patent prosecution law firm experience, patent bar membership, and a background in one of the following fields: cell or molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, pharmacology, organic chemistry, biophysics, or digital health focused disciplines.
Patent & innovations clients: Kinematics, Novo Holidays, MBX Biosciences.
Recent work highlight: Advised General Atlantic on IP matters related to Verdiva Bio’s formation and $410 million Series A.
Clerkship Recruitment
The view from the firm: We encourage judicial clerks from any Federal District Court, Circuit Court, State Supreme Court, and other courts of jurisdictions relevant to Wilson Sonsini’s practice to apply by sending materials to judicialclerks@wsgr.com.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
16 |
2.23 : 1 |
61% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
65% |
55% |
80% |
||
| 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: Our professional and career development programs range from substantive legal training to career coaching to business skills. We offer practical training from first-year associates to senior partners and take a blended approach to training, incorporating academics, online self-directed courses, live webcasts, interactive workshops, booster training sessions, just-in-time microlearning videos, and interactive eLearning modules. We provide continuing education opportunities for attorneys at all levels through internal training classes, external programs, and online compliance tracking.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
13 |
46.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
71% |
79% |
75% |
| 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: We offer competitive compensation, market-relevant benefits, and an environment that encourages attorneys to do the best work of their careers. Year-End merit bonuses recognize attorneys’ individual contributions and performance and reflect the firm’s financial performance.
Associate benefits include: healthcare; income protection; pregnancy disability leave/bonding pay; survivor benefits; financial programs; paid time-off; work life & convenience services; social activities; bar exam; bar membership dues and continuing education; relocation expenses for qualified candidates; employee referral bonus; and part-time policy.
Is Wilson Sonsini the right firm for you?
|
90% |
87% |
89% |
|
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 Wilson Sonsini, we constantly strive to add experienced and skilled attorneys to our practice. Whether you’re an experienced attorney or a judicial clerk, practicing at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a challenging and rewarding experience. Our broad spectrum of practices and our entrepreneurial spirit afford our attorneys exceptional opportunities for professional growth and exploration.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“The people made me feel like I was more than just a cog in the big law machine, but rather an individual with personalized contributions and goals.”
“It felt like a place where people kept their individuality and that differentiation was valued in the workplace.”
“WSGR has a much more laid back culture in the legal space than its peers. The firm doesn’t have strict hierarchies and allows juniors who take ownership of their work to take on as many responsibilities as they want as early as they want.”
Pro Bono
|
77 |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Provost vs. USDA (Co-Counsel ACLU of Louisiana); Palace of Justice (Co-Counsel Center for Justice and Accountability); special immigrant juvenile status work; anti-trafficking work.
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: The firm’s top sustainability initiatives are as follows:
- The firm has an active multidisciplinary Sustainability Task Force to determine the best course of actions and policies to address our emissions.
- Developed global greenhouse gas inventory covering the past 5 years.
- Tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions via the CDP and EcoVadis platforms.
- 86% renewable global electricity usage, through a combination of utility providers and purchased RECs.
- Actively working with suppliers to better track downstream emissions through the supply chain, and determining which vedors track their emissions and are active in sustainability efforts as well.
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