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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Cravath, Swain & Moore [Adam Silver] Though not the largest of firms, Cravath, Swain & Moore is certainly one of the heavyweights of the legal profession. Known for its rich history, imposing name, stringent hiring process and dedication to excellence, Cravath is a consensus standard.
Baseball has the Yankees, politics have the
As would be expected, Cravath, Swain &
worked at Cravath, Swain & Moore before
Kennedys and Wall Street has Cravath, Swain
Moore has an equally impressive reputa-
moving on to more individualistic enter-
& Moore LLP. Though not the greatest in size
tion when it comes to litigation. The list of
prises.
at a bit less than 500 lawyers (78 partners)
big name clients in tow: IBM, DuPont, Smith
in New York City and London; Cravath, Swain
Barney, Morgan Stanley, Viacom Interna-
& Moore is certainly one of the heavyweights
tional and many others, could fill a phone-
of the legal profession. Known for its rich
book. Extensive pro bono work is also part of
history, imposing name, stringent hiring pro-
the package, such as a recent U.S. Supreme
eral openings for legal staff positions in its
cess and dedication to excellence, Cravath is
Court case involving the 1991 Civil Rights
New York City office. More information re-
a consensus standard.
Act. The firm claims to have performed over
garding positions at Latham & Watkins can
39,000 hours of pro bono work in 2002. For
be found in the LawCrossing job database.
Corporate law is what Cravath is most fa-
such efforts, as well as excellence in other
mous for. There is a litany of major mergers
areas, Cravath has been given numerous
under the firm’s belt. It represented Time
awards. Recently, Frederick A.O. Schwarz
Warner in the record-setting merger with
Jr. was a recipient of The American Lawyer’s
AOL (a case handled by Presiding Partner
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Robert D. Joffe); Vivendi when the media giant formed Vivendi Universal with Seagram
Cravath, Swain & Moore came by its current
and Canal Plus; and Conoco, which joined
appellation in 1944. However, that is long
with Phillips Petroleum. The total annual val-
after the firm’s genesis. Founded by R.M.
ue of the mergers and acquisitions that Cra-
Blatchford in 1819, it became Blatchford,
vath has had a hand in has been measured
Seward and Griswold in 1854 after joining
in the hundreds of billions. Cravath also has
with an Auburn, NY firm.
a reputation when it comes to hostile bids, successfully handling Weyerhauser’s bid for
As at any other workplace, there is a variance
Willamette & Newport.
in experiences at Cravath; however, given the extensive legacy of the firm, certain trends
Fifteen separate groups constitute the cor-
have emerged. The “Cravath System,” made
porate department, and associates, working
famous for its high academic standards, em-
closely with partners, rotate between groups.
phasis on developing new lawyers, hands-on
Hours and workloads are consequently var-
training and promoting from within, remains
ied. Rather than create specialists, Cravath
largely in place. Bonuses can be extensive
is a throwback to well-roundedness, taking
and are not based on billable hours. The old-
a sort of Renaissance man approach to the
school approach and inherent arrogance may
law. Besides the corporate division, there are
not work for everyone and there is a large
also notable tax and environmental depart-
amount of turnaround. This is not merely a
ments. The rotation process is in effect here
reflection on the office milieu, but also the
as well.
potency of Cravath’s name recognition. Many star attorneys, such as David Boies, have
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Jobs Cravath, Swain & Moore currently has sev-