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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Proskauer Rose [Joann Chang] For lawyers looking to indulge their sports fanaticism while using their Ivy League law degree, Proskauer Rose is the place to work.
For lawyers looking to indulge their sports
ate students. The strength of Proskauer’s
associates might have the best compensation
fanaticism while using their Ivy League law
litigation practice rests undoubtedly upon the
of all, listing the tickets to the Tony awards
degree, Proskauer Rose is the place to work.
work of its name partner, Judge Proskauer.
and playing basketball in Madison Square
Although the 128 year old firm is also known
Judge Proskauer’s dedication to litigation not
Garden as some of their perks.
for its top labor & employment and litigation
only increased clientele, but also enhanced
work, it is undoubtedly the firm’s sports and
the overall status of the firm. More recently,
celebrity clientele that gives it its glamorous
the firm has continued its commitment to
lar graduates of local law schools have the
edge. Proskauer represents almost every
litigation this summer by acquiring the NY
best chances of getting hired at Proskauer.
major sports organization, from the NBA to
boutique litigation firm of Solomon Zauderer
Harvard, Columbia and Cornell as well as
the NFL to MLB, as well as entertainment
Ellenhorn Frischer & Sharp. Proskauer now
Brooklyn Law School and Fordham are
players such as Madonna, Jive records and
has 300 lawyers in its litigation practice and
among the firm’s favorites. Proskauer has
MGM.
over 160 lawyers in labor & employment.
also been rumored to overlook other aspects
New York-based Proskauer broke into the
With a minimum 2,000 billable hours re-
credentials. More demanding than the hiring
sports world in the 1970s with its famous
quirement, Proskauer Rose is not simply
process seems to be the partner selection
representation of the NBA against the Oscar
about socializing with rock stars and celeb-
process. Associates who have demonstrated
Robertson antitrust suit. Although the NBA
rity athletes. Long hours and work hard are
loyalty by their long standing employment
eventually lost the suit, the case neverthe-
expected by both the firm and its associates.
in the firm have the best chances of making
less established Proskauer’s reputation
However, associates have also described
partner, but even then prospects are clouded
for exceptional sports law work. The firm
their offices as unusually social for a large
by uncertainty. And though Proskauer has
continues to reinforce its reputation and
firm and have been known to participate in
no qualms about hiring lateral partners,
is often the top choice to represent teams,
happy hours with coworkers. The occasional
late lateral associates can most likely forget
team owners and sports associations. In
complaints of unreasonable, frosty partners
about partnership.
2002, Proskauer beat out competing firms
and sharing first year offices aside, associ-
Graduates of top tier law schools and stel-
such as personality in favor of top academic
to represent Major League Baseball in suc-
ates have otherwise stated that they enjoy
While it may be hard to make partner and the
cessful labor negotiations with the Major
their hardworking and honest workplace
firm may not be all about sports and celebri-
League Baseball Players Associations. The
environment.
ties, Proskauer Rose still manages to get
firm is also getting recognition for its fashion
high marks from associates. The laid back
industry clients, having represented Donna
The benefits of seeing famous clients in the
and hardworking environment seems to suit
Karan International as well as luxury stores
office must be incorporated into associates’
many lawyers. The firm has recently received
Barney’s and Hermes.
salaries, because Proskauer consistently
the 2003 Special Award of Merit by the New
lags behind other major New York firms in
York Women’s Bar Association for its contri-
Proskauer’s litigation and labor & employ-
compensation. This is especially true for
bution to the advancement of women.
ment practices have historically been at
senior-level compensation, as senior associ-
the center of the firm. The firm’s strongest
ates find their wallets several thousand dol-
practice, labor & employment, has handled
lars lighter than those of colleagues at other
several noteworthy cases including the
top NYC firms. First year associates do better
representation of Yale University against an
comparatively, making similar incomes to
unfair labor practice suit filed by gradu-
other first-years in large firms. Summer
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