Overview
Introduction
Sheppard Mullin—new to the $1 billion-a-year revenue club—has continued to grow since its founding almost 100 years ago in Los Angeles. With 16 offices worldwide and 1,100 attorneys, it has expanded from a firm that primarily represents retailers and banks to one that offers stellar legal services in commercial law, litigation, aerospace and defense, land use and real estate, entertainment law, intellectual property law, and government contracts. Associates wanting pro bono experience will be happy with Sheppard Mullin’s dedicated pro ...
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
No. of U.S. Offices
Vault Verdict
Dramatic growth hasn’t changed the facts that Sheppard Mullin handles many matters well and is a major draw for associates. Hiring practices extend beyond top law schools, with emphases on a candidate’s grades, prior work experience, and likability. Office settings are inclusive, respectful, and team-oriented, and partners establish open-door policies because they value associates and want to help them develop their career through frequent feedback. This in-person, on-the-job training is bolstered by coordinated and thorough training materials and sessions. Laterals are effectively onboarded and welcomed. Work assignments are meaningful and challenging, with associates having opportunities to take on more responsibility or more control of their cases. Associates are expected to fi...
Firm's Response
Sheppard Mullin is a full-service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 1,000 attorneys in 16 offices worldwide.
We pride ourselves on valuing and cultivating what we think matters most: people — our colleagues, our clients and the larger communities in which we operate.
We are proud of our culture, which emphasizes ci...
About the Firm
With expertise in a variety of practices, including corporate, litigation, employment, intellectual property, antitrust, and finance, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has grown aggressively in recent times. The firm has added several industry-focused practices, including healthcare, insurance, and entertainment work, and serves clients such as Allstate Insurance, Disney, Mastercard, Peloton, and Spotify.
Starting Up
Sheppard Mullin, as it is known today, entered the world in 1927 as Haight & Mathes, the brainchild of two young lawyers who left a small Los Angeles firm to strike out on their own. James Sheppard joined the nascent firm the following year. Name partners J. Stanley Mullin and George Richter cut their teeth as law clerks during the waning days of the ...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “The firm has a very inclusive culture. Associates are encouraged to build relationships to strengthen their networks and to further the performance of the practice group and firm. The firm is dedicated to fostering a team that can work well together.”
- “The atmosphere at SMRH is collegial and welcoming. The associates are extremely supportive of one another and are friends. The partners are relatable, and ... an ‘open-door policy’ is standard.”
- “The culture is very friendly with attorneys who are always ready to both help and have fun. Still, they all maintain their professionalism and are incredibly good at what they do. Their patience is particularly admirable. There are both firm-sponsored events that occur multiple times a month and more organic friendships that exist.”
- “The firm culture is my favorite thing about the firm. I have become good friends outside of work with several other associates. Lawyers socialize together both at firm-sponsored events and generally outside of work. The day-to-day atmosphere at the office is very cordial and less formal than many other BigLaw firms. Lawyers are friendly and respectful toward staff.”
Why Work Here
Historical Highlight
Today’s Sheppard Mullin had a Roaring Twenties start in Los Angeles as a firm called Haight & Mathes. By the mid-1940s, and operating under its current name, the firm had become highly regarded (and still is) for its antitrust, finance, and employment law practices. Between 1977-86, the firm opened three other offices spanning the Golden State and added practices in key California industries, including aerospace and defense. In the '90s, the firm's specialties expanded to include a thriving corporate and securities practice, a prestigious real estate/land use/natural resources group, and a strong construction litigation practice.
Click the link to learn more about the firm's history.
Diversity at Sheppard Mullin
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm is dedicated to hiring quality candidates who fit the firm culture and who are dedicated to the firm's overall goals. While grades are always a consideration in any hiring process, the firm looks beyond academic achievement when deciding on a candidate.”
- “We look at grades, but you don't need to be top of class—the hiring is more focused on being a good cultural fit with prior professional work experience being a huge plus.”
- “The firm considers prior work experience and personality above journal experience, law school attended, grades, etc. Although that information is taken into account when reviewing candidates, there are other factors in determining if someone is a good fit for the firm or team.”
- “At least when I was hired through OCI, the firm considered candidates more holistically than other firms. In other words, while grades mattered, they weren't the only important thing. I really appreciated this and think we have a better environment, better people, and better skills because of it.”
Perks & Benefits