Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP - The Inside View

If you’re good at something, you’ll become known for it. Patterson Belknap is synonymous with big-case litigation, having established itself as a go-to trial practice over its century-long history. In fact, its reputation in the litigation space is so significant that it has become as much of a draw as the bright lights of NYC: “I wanted to do litigation,” one associate recalled, “many firms say they do litigation” (it’s true, they do!) “but do they actually go to trial? I wanted to litigate in front of a court and there aren’t many places with that whole package.” Unsurprisingly, it’s where the vast majority of junior associates are brought on too.

“…many firms say they do litigation, but do they actually go to trial? I wanted to litigate in front of a court and there aren’t many places with that whole package.”

As co-chair and managing partner Dahlia Doumar puts it: “We have a particularly deep bench in litigation, but what differentiates us is that we’re really trial lawyers.” That said, of course, there is more to the firm than its signature practice: “We really are a full-service law firm with all sorts of practices,” Doumar adds; “I think we do hold a pretty unique market position, in that we have a single, full-service office in New York – so we’re all under one roof!”Chambers USA awards the firm top rankings for its advertising litigation practice nationwide, as well as securities RMBS litigation in New York. There are also nods in real estate and intellectual property in the firm’s home city too.

Strategy & Future

Looking ahead, Doumar explains that “we’re committed to our status as an NYC firm – so we’re going to continue to invest in our strengths like litigation, commercial areas, and our incredibly strong tax-exempt group - with the latter being one of the premiere groups in the country!” But on top of that, “we’re also going to continue to invest internally by investing in our associates.” One way in which this is achieved, she notes, is that “we often promote from within.” For example, “we promoted three internal litigation candidates last year, and brought in one lateral who focuses on complex technology disputes.” What’s more, “we also promoted two associates in corporate and one in litigation, and we’ll look strategically to laterals, but we are committed to growing our core strengths.”

The Work

Patterson doesn’t have a traditional summer program structure, with most associates instead hired directly into the firm’s practice areas. Doumar explains that many are recruited from federal clerkships, though it’s important to note that the firm is not at all out of reach for those without that specific experience. When it came to litigation matters, sources explained there are largely two people at the firm in charge of staffing matters, with associates appreciative of the firm’s centralized staffing structure: “When we start at the firm they’ll assign you to two billables and a pro bono case,” one junior explained, “but you can reach out to people too and explain what you’re interested in.”

One of the first things that junior associates working in the firm’s headline litigation practice will highlight is the case diversity of the department, with matters including – and by no means limited to - the likes of securities, real estate, IP, advertising, civil litigation, and white-collar investigations. In fact, we also heard the group looks at matters involving pharmaceuticals and vaccines, in addition to patent rights, government investigations, and contract arbitration, with the firm having developed a bit of a niche as the go-to firm for legal industry malpractice claims. “We have the resources to deal with big cases,” one source told us, though another added that the group also works with “smaller, non-Fortune500 companies that still make millions of dollars.” Interviewees noted daily tasks like preparing depositions, drafting motions, and liaising with clients, as “they really let you take on as much as you want.” Work in the department also involved expert discovery, writing reports, and drafting witness statements too, leaving one junior concluding that “I feel like what I do here would be closer to a fifth or sixth-year associate at another firm.”

Litigation clients: BNP Paribas, Johnson & Johnson Healthcare, Arbor Realty Trust. Represented Appian Corporation in a false advertising claim after the company secured a $2billion judgment – one of the largest damages claims in Virginia court history.

Career Development

Junior associates were unanimous in their praise for Patterson’s career development path: “The firm is very invested in developing associates and making them good lawyers and future partners.” Sources explained that there’s an official mentorship program too, with all associates assigned a partner mentor upon arrival at the firm, who “you often meet for coffee with!” As is often the case, a lot of the best mentorship on offer was described as “informal,” with associates feeling that “a lot of the development that goes on is one-to-one because of the nature of smaller teams and closer proximity to partners.” With formal training available too, sources recalled sessions on the likes of management techniques, business development, speaking at conferences, taking depositions, and court appearance advice. In all, “I feel very supported in anything I need,” one associate assured, proving this interviewee’s theory that the firm is “very open to helping us along.”

Doumar explains that “on the associate front, we’re committed to making sure all our lawyers and business services can thrive and reach their potential.” She adds that “one new initiative we’ve launched is a series of mentoring meetings,” where “associates can opt in to appointing senior lawyers to have meetings focused on practice areas and conversations associates may want to have with partners.” She continues: “We pick a topic ahead of time and associates can say whether they want to raise their hand for those opportunities. They can go and sit with one or two partners at a lunch or breakfast as part of that, and so we’re constantly trying to develop those opportunities!” There is also a “robust calendar of wellness events” on offer, which “we do in consultation with associates to really create an environment where wellness is important.” This included sessions on things like how to get better quality sleep, “making sure associates have access to support is all part of the fabric of the business.”

Culture

“Nobody’s door is closed – except during meetings!”

While Patterson “has never branded itself a ‘lifestyle’ firm, it’s the best culture you can find in BigLaw,” one told us: “People want to come in and chat with each other – and not just about work. Nobody’s door is closed – except during meetings!” Our interviewees pointed to the openness of higher ups during townhalls through to social events such as dinners, drinks, holiday, and summer parties. Though there’s no pressure to fit any busy social calendar into your life outside of work, and the family feel of the firm enables its associates to prioritize what matters: “Lots of people are able to go back home at 6pm, manage their kids, and then log back on!”

Pro Bono

Interviewees explained that not all pro bono hours at Patterson count towards an associate’s billable target, with 120 hours that needs to be hit before getting billable credit. Though those we spoke to added the caveat that “this is not actually a written policy,” but remains a respected convention at the firm. As “we are serious about pro bono at Patterson,” there is still a minimum requirement of 30 hours for associates to hit. “We’ve actually just had the 21st year in a row where all attorneys have met the 30-hour requirement!” one interviewee enthused. Doumar expressed her pride in hitting this achievement too, adding that “while we’re committed to the business of law, we’re also all about giving back and engaging in public service.” There’s a pro bono staffer on hand to facilitate associates finding the deals they’d like to work on, which sources felt spoke to the firm’s “amazing attitude” to pro bono projects.

Pro bono hours 

• For all (US) attorneys: 29,792
• Average per (US) attorney: 125

Hours & Compensation

Billable hours: 1,850 target (2,100 overall target) 

“…when that situation arises, the partners don’t demand that you immediately sit down and start working.”

Associates explained that Patterson’s billable target structure is designed for 1,850 billables with an additional 250 hours for non-billable work engagements. Interviewees clarified that the latter includes any time spent involved in mentorship, recruiting, professional development activities such as CLEs or up to 120 hours of pro bono. Broken down to a daily or weekly basis, associates explained that hours in litigation can be “quite unpredictable,” though you’ll pleased to hear “there isn’t regular weekend work!” That said, “if you’re on a busy case and there’s a deadline, trial, or deposition, then of course there is – at the end of the day, it’s a corporate BigLaw firm.” Though what’s nice, they continued, is that “when that situation arises, the partners don’t demand that you immediately sit down and start working.” The realm of 40–50-hour weeks seemed the norm from those we spoke to, but “when I was super busy it was more 60-70 hours.” Associates are expected to be in the office three days a week. 

Inclusion

The firm offers an array of associate resource groups including Women Lawyers at Patterson, Patterson Attorneys of Color, and Out at Patterson for LGBTQ+ lawyers, who meet for retreats and dinners, with one interviewee mentioning “we even had a BBQ at a partner’s house!” The firm also offers 22 weeks of leave for new parents, and fertility benefits are included as part of the health insurance package. Doumar therefore emphasises that Patterson ultimately “remains committed to being a place where everyone can thrive,” and importantly notes how “that really forms the core of what the firm is and who we are as people.”

Get Hired

The first stage: recruitment on and off campus

OCI applicants interviewed in 2024/25 academic year: 110

Patterson Belknap focuses their OCI and first year recruiting efforts on the East Coast, but also “strongly encourage and regularly receive” applications from candidates throughout the US. H. Gregory Baker, partner in the firm’s litigation department explained: “As a firm with a single office, we’re interested in students who want to be in New York..”

The screening interviews are usually conducted by a partner or a member of the firm’s Talent team.  Given the interviews last around 20 minutes only, “we try to get a sense of the candidate as an individual and legal thinker to see if they’re a fit,” which means “intellectually curious, engaging, collaborative people who want early responsibility and are highly motivated to solve complex legal problems,” said Baker.

Top tips for this stage: “Be prepared to talk about a legal issue you have worked on.  And of course, we like to hear why you are interested in Patterson Belknap in particular!”– Litigation Partner and Chair of Securities Litigation H. Gregory Baker.

Callbacks

This stage sees candidates meet with five partners or counsel and two associates, plus a member of the Talent team. Candidates are asked to speak about a legal issue from their resume, summer internship or law school classes: “We ask questions to determine intellectual ability and enthusiasm for litigation and whether they are prepared to take early responsibility for their matters,” explained Baker.

Throughout the process, Patterson ensures candidates are given the opportunity to connect with associates: “We find that our associates are often the most valuable resource for prospective candidates, so we make every effort to ensure candidates have the opportunity to speak with associates during the formal interview process,” explained Baker.

Top tips for this stage: “Ask questions that demonstrate you have thought about our firm and our clients. Show that you are motivated to work hard, think independently, and take ownership of your work.”– H. Gregory Baker.

And finally…

"Be yourself and don’t be afraid to ask hard questions!”