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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
King & Spalding [Joann Chang] An overall leader in matters of litigation and corporate affairs, King & Spalding proves that it is possible for a polite Southern firm to compete with the corporate giants of New York and Chicago.
King & Spalding As Atlanta’s largest firm
any other firm. Associates report a friendly
program, named “K & S University,” includes
and, arguably, its most prestigious, King &
and polite environment, but they also note
on-line courses and a full courtroom for trial
Spalding serves its heavyweight litigation
the existence of cliques and the boredom of
practice. New attorneys enter the training
clients with some old-fashioned Southern
following a formal dress code. And while the
program every September for an introduc-
charm. The 118 year-old firm has developed
firm does make an effort for office unity by
tion to the firm as well as to gain insight into
an impressive number of relationships with
flying out attorneys to its annual firm-wide
the legal profession. Other programs, such
many Fortune 500 companies over the years,
holiday party in Atlanta, Southern formalities
as accounting and attorney-client privilege,
including Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and Delta
and the large number of attorneys at each
are held throughout the year for all K & S
Airlines. Although the traditional firm has
office have not contributed to its overall col-
attorneys.
only ventured outside of Atlanta four times,
legial atmosphere. The firm may also want to
building offices in D.C., New York, Houston,
consider increasing the informal interactions
Falling in between a corporate New York City
and London, the firm still manages to bring
between partners and associates, as some
firm and a laid-back Southern one, King &
in close to $400 million worth of business
associates report a lack of camaraderie
Spalding lags when it comes to associate
annually. King & Spalding’s growth strategy
between different attorney levels.
salaries. While the cost of living is argu-
for their branch offices seems to have paid
King & Spalding’s Southern roots have
be unfairly discounted for their New York
off, allowing the firm to establish an interna-
made the firm more open to recruiting from
City quality of work. Mid-level associates at
tional presence in record time.
outside the traditional top law schools,
the Atlanta office report making equivalent
especially favoring local law schools. K & S’s
salaries to first-years of large New York
With over half of the Fortune 100 compa-
hiring process is not as competitive as its
firms. Although the firm does try to supple-
nies on its clientele list and a reputation for
Northeastern counterparts and recruiters
ment with an endless supply of Coca-Cola
exceptional litigation work, King & Spalding
are receptive to top graduates of most law
beverages as well as a free laptop, attorneys
has managed to keep up an active corporate
schools. However, exceptional grades will
would almost certainly prefer that the firm’s
practice despite the ailing economy. Their
not replace a lack of honesty and manners
generosity be diverted to their compensation
recent cases include representing Purdue
at this genteel firm; candidates who let their
levels.
Pharma L.P. in a congressional investigation
egos overshadow their abilities will not get
regarding controversial painkiller OxyCon-
far in the interview process. Similarly, in
tin®. Investment banks and banking institu-
order to make it to partner level at King &
of poaching star attorneys from other firms
ably lower in Atlanta, associates appear to
Jobs
tions also turn to King & Spalding for outside
Spalding, attorneys are expected to fit in with
King & Spalding currently has several
legal counsel, as shown by frequent clients
the courteous atmosphere of the firm as well
openings in all of its offices, including op-
Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. The firm’s
as to put in excellent work. Partnerships
portunities for litigation, tax, real estate,
propensity for turning out quality corporate
at King & Spalding do not come easily, and
and corporate associates. More informa-
work was recently recognized by Corpo-
associates complain about the unclear and
tion regarding attorney positions at King &
rate Counsel magazine, who ranked King & Spalding as the 12th most frequently chosen law firms for outside counsel.
unrealistic nature of the process.
Spalding can be found in the LawCrossing job database.
Once inside King & Spalding, the firm forgoes the popular sink-or-swim training method,
Southern customs and corporate work make
and provides one of the best programs for
King & Spalding’s office atmosphere unlike
new and continued attorney education. The
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