LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
1. 800. 973.1177
Pfizer Inc. [Joann Chang] With 330 in house attorneys, Pfizer Inc. employs more attorneys than most law firms -- but that does not make the competition for a position there any easier.
The world’s largest pharmaceutical company
for Working Mothers” by Working Mother
Pfizer currently has several openings in its
began modestly by providing tartaric and
magazine. Additionally, the corporation
Ann Arbor, Cleveland, Denmark, New Jer-
citric acid out of a single Brooklyn building.
provides many international opportunities
sey, and New York offices including oppor-
Pfizer now produces some of the world’s
for attorneys with offices in places like Hong
tunities for experienced corporate associ-
most popular drugs including Celebrex®,
Kong and Denmark.
dominance in the pharmaceutical industry
Pfizer is constantly looking for corporate and
was sealed in the late 1920s with its decision
intellectual property lawyers, but competi-
to help Alexander Fleming fund his research
tion for a position is still high. The corpora-
on some mold juice, later known to the world
tion mainly favors graduates from good law
as Penicillin. In order to protect its lucra-
schools with strong academic backgrounds.
tive research and its annual revenue of $32
Most positions also require previous experi-
billion, Pfizer hires some of the best legal
ence with either a law firm or corporation.
talent and relies on 330 in-house lawyers for
Positions for patent attorneys demand the
corporate and intellectual property expertise.
greatest requirements, including higher education in organic chemistry and experience
With an impressive resume that includes a
with the U.S. Patent Office.
clerkship with U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. and a partnership
Although Jeffrey Kindler’s salary is near
at Williams and Connelly, Jeffrey Kindler
$2 million, most attorneys are paid in the
serves as Pfizer’s Senior Vice President and
competitive corporate range. But Pfizer
General Counsel. In addition to handling the
proves there are more ways to compensate
operations of its in-house lawyers sprinkled
its employees than with salaries. Perhaps
all over the world, Kindler is also responsible
in an effort to fulfill the company line of
for hiring firms like Arnold & Porter, Kaye
providing “longer, healthier, happier lives,”
Scholer, and Skadden to handle its outside
Pfizer strives to provide one of the most
counsel needs. Recently, Pfizer has won two
comprehensive benefits programs. In-house
major legal battles, including dismissals
attorneys and the other 30,000 U.S. employ-
of a patent infringement lawsuit regarding
ees of the corporation enjoy full medical,
COX-2 inhibitors and a lawsuit alleging the
vision, and dental coverage for domestic
possible suicidal effects of the antidepres-
partners as well as reimbursement for Pfizer
sant Zoloft®.
prescription drugs and smoking cessation programs. In addition to health care, new
Well-known for being a conservative com-
employees start off with 3 weeks of paid
pany, Pfizer keeps its workplaces structured,
vacation and are further compensated for
and most employees prefer it that way.
higher education, jury duty and military
Pfizer is often named as one of the “100 Best
leaves of absences.
Companies to Work for in America” by For-
tune and as one of the “100 Best Companies
PAGE 1
ates and patent counsels. More information regarding attorney positions at Pfizer can be
Viagra®, and Lipitor®. Pfizer’s current
Jobs
found in the LawCrossing job database.