When, in 1946, the New York firm of Root, Clark, Buckner & Ballantine instituted a new policy of compensating partners based on billable hours and new clients, four lawyers quit the firm to start their own. Founded on the principle that lawyers within a firm must cooperate and not compete against each other, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen, & Hamilton eschews performance-based pay.
Discouraging conformity, the firm's culture stresses independent thought. Though they have a reputation for being laid-back and democratic (the firm's Washington, D.C. branch operates almost entirely independent of the New York office), the one thing everyone at Cleary takes seriously is the work. The firm prides itself on its quirkiness, but some associates say that with average hours between 45-70 per week, Cleary isn't quite as free-spirited as it presents itself. The firm does, however, try much harder than your average firm to offer its attorneys a congenial social setting, as evidenced by the firm's traditional Friday night wine and cheese parties, which have expanded to feature beer and egg rolls as of late.
While the attorneys play hard, Cleary has definitely made a strong name for itself through hard work, which its extensive international presence illustrates. The firm's international network is said to be among the best for lawyers who want to go overseas. Ten of the firm's 12 offices are abroad, and the firm prides itself on its ability to remain organized and operate as a single global partnership of 800 attorneys from 50 nations. Cleary Gottlieb was also the first American law firm licensed in Japan and the first to promote Japanese attorneys. Even with offices in Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Milan, Moscow, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Brussels, language requirements for attorneys are few, even though candidates with foreign language skills are always in demand.
With an increasing turnover rate, which many think is due to the high demand for Cleary-trained attorneys, the firm hatched a plan to keep its important associates. In 1999, Cleary created a senior attorney position, available for those who want to work more than part time but less than the arduous hours required by large firms. Senior attorneys must have seven-years experience, with two of those years at Cleary. Those who qualify get to negotiate their pay and hours. Other salary perks include a $20,000 bonus at the end of an associate's first year.
Especially proud of their considerable M&A practice, Cleary has represented some of the world's biggest corporations in some of the world's biggest acquisitions. Ranked #1 in European M&A by Thomson Financial in 2004, #1 in international arbitration by American Lawyer in 2003, and cited as the International Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners in 2001, Cleary secured the biggest M&A deal of 2004 when Bank of America merged with FleetBoston. Two of their largest clients, HSBC Holdings from the U.K. and Deutsche Bank used no in-house counsel, relying entirely on Cleary's M&A resources, when they made individual multi-billion dollar mergers in 1999.
Though the firm's corporate work tends to overshadow their litigation, Cleary has served as counsel in some high-profile court cases. They represented the gay New Jersey Boy Scout leader who was kicked out of the organization in violation of the state's anti-discrimination law. Though the judge ruled against the Boy Scouts, the Scouts appealed and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the discrimination was constitutional. With a long-standing commitment to taking pro bono work, Cleary has been commended for making service to the community a priority.
The New York Law Journal called Cleary a leader in diversity. Minorities constitute 20 percent of the firm's partners and 25 percent of associates. As half of all Cleary recruits are women, the firm offers a flexible schedule for moms and a "Working Women" seminar once a week. Providing benefits for same-sex partners, Cleary also boasts a large gay representation.
Besides being quirky, a Cleary candidate must possess good grades. The firm puts a great emphasis on stellar academics. Other important factors Cleary looks for are judicial clerkships and participation in law review. According to insiders, a law student's best bet to get an interview is to list Cleary Gottlieb first in the interview preference system.
Jobs
Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton currently has several openings in New York, Washington DC, and Hong Kong offices, including opportunities for experienced labor & employment and other associates. More information regarding attorney positions at Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen, & Hamilton can be found in the LawCrossing jobs database.
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