Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a top international law firm, whose worldwide practice has a proven track record for innovation is recognized for provid...
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Main Office: 1 Liberty Plaza, Suite 38 | New York City | NY | 10006-1470
Phone: 212-225-2000 | Fax: 212-225-3999
Year of establishment
1946
Number of partners
196
Number of offices
16
Partner to associate ratio
0.30
Biggest office
New York City
Percentage of women attorneys
43.90
Number of attorneys
1165
Percentage of minority attorneys
15.50
Number of associates
642
Percentage of LGBT attorneys
3.70
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Reviews
view allReviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
Allow for more upward mobility and help associates feel less pressured.
Pros:
Pleasant Big Law Firm Experience
Cons:
As with any firm, you got to work long hours. Not all partners are the same, so your happiness at this firm can vary. Thankfully I was assisted by what I regarded as the better partners. Career advancement is a bit slow, but definitely doable with hard work.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Former Employee
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Reviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
Increase the pay and benefits. Work on improving management's relationship to employees.
Pros:
The firm practices a variety of legal areas. The environment is fun to work in. The people are all friendly and supportive. There is room for advancement here.
Cons:
The pay and benefits could be better than they currently are. There is not a good relationship between management and employees.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Current Employee
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Overview
Experience the Excitement of Working at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, a leading international law firm with 16 offices strategically located in major financial centers around the world, offers attorneys and staff an exhilarating work environment. With a rich history spanning over 65 years, Cleary Gottlieb has played a pivotal role in shaping the globalization of the legal profession. The firm's commitment to innovation and delivering top-notch legal services to both domestic and international clients has earned it a reputation for excellence. As a testament to its global prowess, Cleary Gottlieb was honored with Chambers & Partners' inaugural International Law Firm of the Year award. This recognition underscores the firm's effectiveness in navigating diverse business cultures and its success in multiple jurisdictions. Cleary Gottlieb's practice is organized and operated as a single, integrated global partnership, setting it apart from other firms that rely on a network of overseas offices. This unique structure allows the firm to provide seamless legal services across borders, ensuring that clients receive the highest level of expertise regardless of their location. With a team of over 1,200 lawyers hailing from more than 50 countries, Cleary Gottlieb boasts a diverse and multicultural workforce. These lawyers are admitted to practice in numerous jurisdictions worldwide, bringing a wealth of knowledge and perspectives to the table. The firm has been at the forefront of promoting non-U.S. lawyers as equal partners, recognizing the value of their expertise in a globalized legal landscape. Cleary Gottlieb's client roster is equally impressive, encompassing multinational corporations, international financial institutions, sovereign governments and their agencies, as well as domestic corporations and financial institutions in the countries where its offices are located. While each office has its own specialized practice areas, the firm's "one firm" approach ensures that clients can tap into the collective resources of all offices and lawyers worldwide. This collaborative approach allows Cleary Gottlieb to provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. Joining Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP comes with a host of benefits. Attorneys and staff have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge legal matters that shape the global business landscape. The firm's commitment to innovation means that employees are constantly challenged and encouraged to think outside the box. Cleary Gottlieb's reputation for delivering work of the highest quality ensures that attorneys and staff are exposed to complex and intellectually stimulating cases. Furthermore, the firm's global presence provides attorneys and staff with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development. Working alongside colleagues from diverse backgrounds and legal systems allows for a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. Cleary Gottlieb's commitment to mentorship and professional development ensures that employees receive the support and guidance needed to thrive in their careers. In addition to the intellectual stimulation and professional growth, Cleary Gottlieb offers a competitive compensation package. The firm recognizes the value of its employees and strives to provide a rewarding work environment. From comprehensive health benefits to generous vacation policies, Cleary Gottlieb understands the importance of work-life balance and employee well-being. In conclusion, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP offers attorneys and staff an exciting and dynamic work environment. With its global reach, commitment to innovation, and dedication to delivering top-notch legal services, the firm provides employees with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and development. Joining Cleary Gottlieb means becoming part of a prestigious firm that has shaped the legal profession for over six decades. Experience the excitement of working at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and be part of a team that is at the forefront of the global legal landscape.
Practice Areas
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP practices law in the following areas and works with its clients to provide the best possible legal solutions.
- Antitrust And Competition
- Banking And Financial Institutions
- Bankruptcy And Restructuring
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Governance
- Derivatives
- Economic Sanctions And Foreign Investments
- Energy
- Environmental Law
- Executive Compensation And Erisa
- Financial Technology
- Intellectual Property
- International Trade And Investment
- Leveraged And Acquisition Finance
- Litigation And Arbitration
- Mergers Acquisitions And Joint Ventures
- Private Clients
- Private Equity
- Privatizations
- Pro Bono
- Project Finance And Infrastructure
- Public International Law
- Real Estate
- Sovereign Governments And International Institutions
- Structured Finance
- Tax
- White Collar Defense Securities Enforcement And Internal Investigations
Hiring Criteria
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP follows the set of hiring criteria outlined below.
The firm's hiring criteria are based on a number of factors, prime amongst them being that the candidate must have performed outstandingly in legal and undergraduate studies and must be committed to high professional standards. The firm seeks candidates from across the world but selects only those who are likely to thrive and flourish in the firm's emphasis on excellence and collegiality. The firm meets with and interviews top students at the best U.S. law schools and recruits leading international lawyers, whose expertise on local jurisdictions adds to the worth and value of their global practice.
Pro bono
Cleary Gottlieb considers Pro Bono activities as one of its most important values. It feels obligated and privileged to practice law and a duty to give back to the community from which it has received so much respect and recognition. Indeed, approximately two-thirds of all Cleary Gottlieb lawyers worldwide participate in pro bono and public service programs.
Cleary strongly encourages associates to do pro bono work. The firm is a charter signatory to the Pro Bono Institute's Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, which pledges 3% of billables as pro bono work. Their lawyers have provided counsel to all kinds of people - from veterans to domestic violence survivors to micro-entrepreneurs starting small businesses in their communities. All of which has earned their pro bono practice a number of awards.
Cleary Gottlieb's longstanding commitment to public service dates back to three of its founders: Henry J. Friendly became Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, George W. Ball served as Undersecretary of State and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Fowler Hamilton served as Director of the Agency for International Development. This founding spirit and conviction lives on today with the firm dedicating more than 70,000 hours to pro bono and public service efforts annually.
Search Law Firm Jobs in New York City
Legal Jobs in New York City and Near Locations
Notable cases
- Currently Cleary has been advising Greece in its successful debt restructuring, the largest sovereign debt restructuring in history. They have also advised Iraq and Argentina on similar grounds.
- The law firm, in New York in Oct, 2011, represented the Coca-Cola Company, as part of the consumer products and retail industries, in its proposed acquisition for Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company and J. Crew by TPG Capital and Leonard Green Partners.
- In July 2011-May 2012, lawyers from the firm's New York and DC offices represented Nortel in its landmark auction of more than 6,000 patents to a consortium of major industry players that included, amongst others Apple, Microsoft, RIM and Sony for $4.5 billion-a deal that has been credited with transforming the role of intellectual property in M&A deals.
- It was retained as legal counsel by Euronext NV in its
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP Awards and Recognitions Write a review
n recognition of the firm's strong global practice, its effectiveness in dealing with the different business cultures of the countries in which it operates, and its success in multiple jurisdictions, Cleary Gottlieb received Chambers & Partners' inaugural "International Law Firm of the Year" award.
The firm is, time after time, rated as one of the top ten most prestigious law firms by Vault.com. Chambers and Partners gives the firm high marks in the following practice areas: Corporate, Litigation, M&A, Private Equity, Antitrust, Capital Markets, Employee Benefits, Real Estate and Income Tax.
This year too Cleary got a host of awards, amongst them, being ranked 3rd in Hong Kong in "Employer of Choice" Survey. It won the "Best International Firm Latin America Practice" award in June, 2012. It was named to the National Law Journal's "Intellectual Property Hot List." It also won the "Deal of the Year" and "Dealmaker of the Year" awards.
In March 2012, it won many awards that included the IFLR "Deals of the Year" Awards, the "Global Competition Review Award for Behavioral Matter of the Year".
Diversity Write a review
Diversity and inclusion were among the founding principles of Cleary Gottlieb. In their more than 60 years of history, the firm has continued its strong commitment to those principles. The firm is home to individuals from varied cultural, educational, religious and ethnic backgrounds, making Cleary Gottlieb a vibrant and engaging community.
The firm promotes an environment where women and men of different races, national origins, religions and sexual orientations can practice law in a collegial and effective manner. The firm remains aware of the need to promote open benefit policies, forge alliances with relevant affinity groups, engage in community building, conduct frequent diversity training and improve retention rates of associates.
The firm believes in fostering a work environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, where all observe the highest professional standards and treat each other with civility, respect and dignity.
Consistent with these goals, the firm has a policy prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, military status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other category protected by law. This policy applies to all employment-related matters, including recruitment, hiring, placement, assignments, training, compensation, promotion and termination.
In addition to these policies, each office may have other specific rules designed to comply with local law requirements relating to discrimination, including sexual harassment.
Summer associate program
Cleary holds a 12-week summer program in its New York and Washington D.C. offices and also allows summer associates to rotate in one of its 10 overseas offices. Summer associates are expected to complete between 11 and 15 assignments over the course of the summer.
Associates praise the cordial atmosphere and the opportunity to work with the best in the business. Respondents say that they enjoy the long hours of work, since the work is incredibly interesting and varied.
Internship is not confined to New York. International assignments are plentiful: in past years, more than one third of our summer associates have spent time working in Cleary Gottlieb's overseas offices.
The firm also had one of the highest offer rates in 2009, with 99% of its 119 summer associates receiving offers. In 2010, the firm made 100% offers to its 84-member summer class and in 2011, Cleary increased its summer class size to 110 summer associates. Cleary is one of the few law firms that have not deferred start dates for any incoming associate classes.
Second year law students are paid $3,077 per week.
Working for the Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Working experience at Cleary Gottlieb is in keeping with its reputation of being one of the world's top law firms. A place where the new associate can expect to tap services and benefits that is on par with the best elsewhere. At Cleary Gottlieb you will be exposed to the newest technologies and get to work in flexible work arrangements and compensation packages that equal any of other leading firms.Although, like all law firms Cleary Gottlieb to has its share of the intellectual academic types socializing between attorneys is commonplace.
In a nutshell working life at of Cleary Gottlieb is a worthwhile experience. Be prepared to put in long hours of work but you will be well compensated for it. Moreover, if you are keen to broaden your horizons in cross border transactions, financing in emerging markets or anything remotely similar, Cleary Gottlieb will be an ideal choice, but to land a job, ensure that you are more than just a well-written resume and set of credentials.
Articles
Cleary Gottlieb Steen Plans To Expands Its Hold In Seoul
Cleary Gottlieb Steen Plans To Expands Its Hold In Seoul...
David Becker’s Conflict Report Raises Bigger Problem
David Becker’s Conflict Report Raises Bigger Problem...
More Law Firms in New York City
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP.
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP is a general practice law firm headquartered on Wall Street. We have a ratio of partners to associates of about one to one, and provide personal, partner-level attention to all clients and matters, large and small. This forms part of our Partners for Your Business® commitment, together with the focus we place on providing counseling to help advance the business interests of our clients. We offer sophisticated legal advice within a culture that encourages innovati...
Anderson Kill P.C.
Anderson Kill was founded in 1969 on the principles of integrity, excellence in the practice of law, and straightforward solutions to complex legal issues. The firm's attorneys approach engagements aggressively, and have earned a reputation for combining corporate polish with pugnacity. Based in New York City, the firm also has offices in Ventura, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Stamford, CT, Washington, DC, Newark, NJ and Dallas, TX, but the attorneys travel around the country and around the world to ha...
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, founded in 1830, is one of the first U.S. law firms to develop a truly international practice. Dedicated to counseling clients involved with some of the most challenging transnational transactions and complex multijurisdictional disputes, Curtis represents multinational companies, international financial institutions, governments and state-owned entities, family and other privately held businesses, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals. With 17 o...
Legal Recruiters in New York City
BCG Attorney Search
Since the year 2000, the founder of BCG Attorney Search, Harrison Barnes, and his expert legal recruiters have placed thousands of attorneys and are at the top of their field in servicing attorneys. These businesses include the largest and most popular legal job site in the world, LawCrossing; the l...
Michael Page International Inc
Michael Page is one of the world's leading professional recruitment consultancies, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions with clients around the world....
Green Key Resources
The Green Key executive recruitment team is uniquely suited to job placement in your industry because we've actually worked in it. We know what the demands are, where the jobs are, and we have exclusive relationships with some of the most sought-after employers around. With this unique industry i...
References
http://www.cgsh.com/
http://www.lawfirmstats.com/
http://www.nalpdirectory.com/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.vault.com/
http://careers.abovethelaw.com/
