Overview
Introduction
Sitting comfortably among the Vault 100 law firms, McDermott is best known for its work in healthcare and tax law—though its practices extend far beyond these. The firm is forward-thinking when it comes to wellness—it was the first to offer lawyers billable credit for participating in 25 wellness hours—and will appeal to those seeking a collegial, supportive environment.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
For an exceptional workplace where people really seem to like each other and the work they do, McDermott may top the list. Recruiting has shifted toward T14 schools, while academic achievement, experience, and personality continue to be emphasized. Relationship building and socializing characterize office settings, and everyone seems to get along. Less hierarchy means that partners are approachable, supportive, and interested in associate well-being and development. This welcoming atmosphere extends to lateral hires, too, who emphasize their training and mentoring experiences. Overall, McDermott offers significant training programs, and partners and senior associates are dedicated to guiding and providing feedback to younger attorneys. Most associate work is meaningful and client-...
Firm's Response
When You Join McDermott, Expect the Top in Culture and Compensation
Unbeatable Culture
We believe that success begins on day one, and we give you the support and tools you need to achieve it. That’s why McDermott is ranked Vault’s #1 Law Firm to W...
About the Firm
A Chicago institution since the 1930s, McDermott Will & Emery has broadened its gaze in recent decades to new markets in the United States and abroad. The strategy has paid off in spades, with McDermott firmly ensconced among the world’s largest and most elite law firms.
A Windy Start
McDermott opened for business in 1934 as a tax firm run by Edward H. McDermott and William M. Emery. Only seven years later, the third and final name partner was added: corporate specialist Howard A. Will. The firm’s name has remained the same ever since, a remarkable feat of continuity in the modern atmosphere of shortened firm names, legal mergers, and buyouts. McDermott added an Estate Planning division in 1941, and by 1944, the firm had burgeoned to include 16 lawyers. In the following y...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Our firm culture is very collegial and interactive regardless of the level of attorney. Equity partners interact with junior associates professionally and socially, which, from talking with colleagues at other firms, is not the norm in other office cultures. It is very easy to build both professional and personal relationships with other attorneys at McDermott.”
- “Everyone is very friendly and sociable; strong emphasis is placed on friendliness in the office. Socialization outside of the office does occur but is not overly burdensome; people enjoy socializing with coworkers but have their own lives too. This practice is far less hierarchical than my previous firm, and I really, really appreciate McDermott's attention to good leadership, good culture, and good management.”
- “Great relationships between staff and lawyers. We strike a balance between socializing together outside of work and respecting that we have lives outside of work. Everyone recognizes that relationships with friends and family outside of work are important too.”
- “Emphasis on firm improvement, attorney wellness, and pro bono. Firm-sponsored socialization predominates over organic socialization in our office, as the attorneys (which skew older) all have their own private lives. Everyone is friendly, and lawyers and staff interact positively.”
Why Work Here
We don’t just invest in your future, we act as a career accelerant to propel you along your journey, wherever it may lead. And even as we celebrate hard work and excellence, we emphasize happiness—encouraging a rich, full life outside the office. It’s all part of our #AlwaysBetter mantra, as we strive to bring our best to our clients and each other every day.
Diversity at McDermott Will & Emery
Getting Hired Here
- “The hiring process is very competitive. Associates are generally hired from top law schools and are at or near the top of their class. For individual offices, the firm also hires from top state schools (e.g., in Florida, the firm hires from University of Florida). A strong resume will get a candidate in the door, but the firm places an emphasis on personality match when selecting who will receive job offers.”
- “The firm has more recently emphasized hiring from T14 schools but has numerous attorneys from law schools outside of the T14. Prior work experience is evaluated, especially in industry-specific groups.”
- “The firm is looking to increase the number of new associates hired from the T14 and is transparent about this goal. But the firm also recognizes that great associates can come from any law school, and in my experience, some of the most talented mid- and senior-level associates came from law schools outside of the T14. The firm is looking for associates with a kind demeanor who are committed to the work. The law school attended, personality, and diversity are key factors the firm looks for in hiring.”
- “Personality and grades are the most important factors. We definitely have certain feeder law schools (Northwestern), but that is likely due to location.”
Perks & Benefits