Overview
Introduction
Innovation is the name of the game at Orrick—from the energy, tech, and finance clients that the firm counsels, to its impactful well-being initiatives and its modern technology tools. Associates who are down-to-earth, collaborative, and forward-thinking will fit right in at this progressive firm. With offices in over 25 markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Orrick is a legal powerhouse with dedication to pro bono, diversity, and competitive compensation.
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
Perhaps without being flashy, Orrick focuses on top-notch legal work and being a great landing spot for associates, who come from a large range of law schools, not exclusively T14 or feeder schools. Office settings are welcoming, offering cooperation and support, with partners who are eager to mentor associates and help advance their careers. Formal training offerings are strong, though associates learn best through interactions with partners and senior associates. Lateral hires feel like part of the team and the firm culture very quickly. Most work assignments are substantive and level-appropriate, and associates have opportunities to take on increased responsibility. Tasks are assigned fairly, with availability, expertise, and experience often informing assignments. The billable...
Firm's Response
We’re thinking differently about legal careers for top talent.
Orrick lawyers focus on one or more sectors: Tech & Innovation, Life Sciences and Healthtech; Renewable Energy & Energytech; and Finance & Fintech. Within sector, you’ll have a practice focus: transactional, litigation or regulatory.<...
About the Firm
Orrick is a global firm of more than 1,100 attorneys that is fiercely committed to teamwork and innovation. The firm has offices across the globe, including in California, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.
It All Began with a Breakup
In the late 1800s, W.S. Goodfellow and his partners, John J. Jarboe and Ralph C. Harrison, walked away from their San Francisco firm, Jarboe, Harrison & Goodfellow. Goodfellow then teamed up with Charles Eells to form Goodfellow & Eells. The firm helped organize the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company after San Francisco’s catastrophic earthquake and fire in 1906 and also worked on water rights matters. In 1910, William H. Orrick joined the firm, and over the years, George Herrington and Eri...
Associate Reviews
- “Lawyers socialize organically as well as at firm-sponsored events. Day-to-day atmosphere is friendly and social while also being collegial and an environment where people can get work done. Weekly lunches in the office are a great way to spend quality time with colleagues without pressure.”
- “Very collaborative and team oriented. Everyone's work and opinions are heard and valued. Partners and higher-level associates are always available to answer questions and set an example of hard work and dedication.”
- “Orrick really emphasizes a healthy, cooperative, and respectful work culture from top to bottom. They often organize happy hours, trainings, all-personnel lunches, etc.—both sponsored and organic. Day to day, everyone is very courteous and enjoyable to work with.”
- “I'd consider this firm very mature—most associates have prior work experience, so we're all comfortable interacting with each other and take time to mentor the newer associates. People are welcoming and care about each other. Staff and attorneys have a friendly, professional relationship as well. The hierarchy present at many other firms is a lot more flat here.”
Why Work Here
Seven Stats about Orrick
1. We focus on serving the Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure and Finance sectors. Globally.
2. We give our associates the opportunity to chart your own course. It means early responsibility. World-class training. And the chance to make a social impact.
3. We were named the #1 most innovative law firm in North America in 2017 by Financial Times, for the second year in a row.
4. We’re on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For (#31), and we rank #4 for job satisfaction by AmLaw in 2018. In part, that’s because we don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to how our lawyers work. Instead, we offer agile working. This includes flexible work arrangements, job sharing and remote working.
Diversity at Orrick
Getting Hired Here
- “.... I do think Orrick has expanded the schools from which it recruits to foster diversity, and I think that's a very good move—plenty of qualified candidates choose not to attend the most highly ranked schools in order to take advantage of scholarships, closeness to home, etc. These things matter, and firms need to think more openly about where they recruit from.”
- “Our firm is looking for high achievers and hard workers but realizes that those individuals exist at all law schools, so we don't limit ourselves to specific feeder schools. I have been on the summer associate hiring committee, and we do have a training process and guidelines for interviewers to follow to combat implicit bias and ensure that candidates are being evaluated as fairly and consistently as possible.”
- “The firm looks for an overall fit. All typical criteria are considered. No feeder schools. ...”
- “Orrick seems to recruit from a larger range of schools than some other firms, which leads to more diversity and a range of backgrounds.”
Perks & Benefits