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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Wachtell, Lipton Rosen & Katz [Jefferson Byrd] This David has taken on multi-billion dollar Goliaths and remains one of America’s top corporate firms despite, or perhaps because of, its small size.
Founded with the goal of creating a firm
clients tens of millions of dollars, Wachtell
arduous. The firm’s small size accords them
without hierarchy, where attorneys write
shares the wealth with its associates, of-
the ability to be picky about their hires.
their own briefs and do their own research,
fering generous bonuses that far exceed
Wachtell only hires associates they believe
the relatively young firm of Wachtell, Lipton
those available at other prestigious New
will ascend to partnership. Stellar academics
Rosen & Katz is far smaller than its competi-
York firms. Last year, the firm paid bonuses
from a top-tier school are usually a deter-
tors. The firm’s total number of attorneys
ranging from $50,000 to as high as $170,000.
mining factor. Attorneys with good grades
is about the same as the average entering
Distributing its considerable earnings among
from Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Chicago,
associate class of a large law firm. With only
the associates is part of Wachtell’s overall
Penn, Stanford and NYU are considered the
one office, it remains, however, the leader
scheme to eliminate the rigid hierarchy
standard. Taking a summer internship at
in the field of corporate law. Wachtell’s total
that exists in law firms of prestige. The firm
Wachtell is allegedly an important first step
transactional value over the nearly forty
maintains a consistent one-to-one associate
in securing a position.
years since four young New York Law School
to partner ratio. Encouraging a team mental-
graduates started the firm stands at over
ity, partners and associates work closely
$140 billion, more than any other law firm.
with one another, often with cases staffed by
ate can expect to be treated as a potential
just one of each. Associate input is purport-
partner. The differences between the offices
In its early days, Wachtell earned a reputa-
edly welcomed by partners. This removes
of associates and partners are surprisingly
tion as defenders against corporate raiders.
competition between associates, but also
minute. Wachtell also seems to be the firm
Representing companies threatened by
means that a lot is expected of Wachtell’s
that offers associates the best chance of
hostile takeovers, Wachtell conceived the
associates.
making partner. The firms boasts such perks
Once onboard, however, a first-year associ-
as full-service sushi dinners in the cafeteria,
now prevalent poison pill defense, whereby stockholders acquire stock in the raiding
The workload is demanding. Attorneys bill
laptops, Blackberry pagers, and DSL lines
company, deterring a hostile takeover. Today
close to 3,000 hours per year and associates
installed at home. The hard work of the dedi-
the firm is behind the biggest M&A deals in
may work between 50 and 80 hours per week.
cated few attorneys at Wachtell is rewarded
the world. This century, they have been the
The firm is staffed by only the most devoted
handsomely.
legal advisor in six of the top ten transactions
attorneys. Despite the firm’s efforts to dispel
in America, and five of the top ten global
the stifling bureaucracy that prevails in
transactions.
many firms, Wachtell attorneys are proud
Jobs
of their traditional values and conservative
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz currently has
Specializing in the largest and most complex
atmosphere. A strict dress code is enforced
openings in New York, including opportuni-
corporate transactions, Wachtell coun-
at all times. Wachtell believes that more can
ties for experienced employment and litiga-
seled AT&T in its $40.7 billion acquisition of
be learned by rolling up one’s sleeves and
tion attorneys. More information regarding
Cingular, history’s largest cash acquisition.
practicing law than in training programs. The
attorney positions at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen
They represented the Walt Disney Corpora-
lack of a formal training means new associ-
& Katz can be found in the LawCrossing job
tion when Comcast attempted a $54.1 billion
ates are given substantial responsibilities
database.
hostile takeover. Wachtell also oversaw the
up front. Therefore, Wachtell is extremely
largest IPO in American history, with AT&T
selective about its associates, hiring only a
Wireless’ $10.6 billion initial public offering.
committed few.
As befitting a tiny firm that charges its
The interview process here is said to be
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