McKool Smith Opens Office in Silicon Valley
McKool Smith Opens Office in Silicon Valley...
McKool Smith
Main Office: 300 Crescent Court, Suite 1500 | Dallas | TX | 75201
Phone: 214-978-4000 | Fax: 214-978-4044
Year of establishment
1991
Number of partners
68
Number of offices
7
Partner to associate ratio
1.70
Biggest office
Dallas
Percentage of women attorneys
14.90
Number of attorneys
111
Number of associates
40
McKool Smith Reviews
view allReviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
Work-life balance in a firm might sound like a ridiculous thing, but there are only so many hours in a day a person can work. There has to be some greater empathy for the lawyers.
Pros:
This firm is really going places, it has grown tremendously fast over the past few years and working there I really get a sense of optimism and the potential for the future. The legal talent working there is often brilliant, and being part of that team fills me with confidence as well as always being helped by very smart colleagues when I come across problems.
Cons:
It's stressful to work in a place with so many smart, talented people because I don't know when, if ever, I'll be able to move up the ladder. The competition is intense and I know that there are many there who simply are better lawyers than me.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Current Employee
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Reviewed on May 19, 2024
Advice to law firm management:
Require more partners to develop books of business. You need more institutional clients who regularly provide work, rather than hoping folks walk in the door for one-off litigation.
Pros:
The people are nice and skilled at what they do. The firm has a desire to expand and be one of the "big dogs."
Cons:
The firm made way too many partners into service partners with zero books of business. For decades, the firm relied on contingency fee work in patent litigation. When the contingency fee work was no longer profitable, the firm switched to focus on its insurance practice and shed a lot of associates, of counsel, and partners in their patent litigation practice.
Partners to Avoid and Why:
None to avoid. But find out which are the service partners and which are the few that bring in business.
Favorite Things About this Firm:
The work was great while it lasted. The firm will let you get substantively involved in discovery and early case issues, though it is much harder to get actual in-court experience.
Career Opportunities:
Compensation & Benefits:
Work/Life Balance:
Senior Management:
Culture & Values:
Current or former employee?:
Former Employee
Last Year at Employer:
2016
Job type:
Full time
Length of Employment:
10+ years
Overview
Experience the Thrill of Legal Excellence at McKool Smith McKool Smith, a powerhouse in the legal industry, has been making waves since its establishment in 1991. With a humble beginning of just 13 trial lawyers in Dallas, the firm has grown exponentially over the past two decades, attracting and retaining the crème de la crème of legal talent. Today, McKool Smith boasts a formidable team of over 170 trial lawyers spread across offices in Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC. What sets McKool Smith apart from other law firms is its unwavering commitment to excellence. The firm's relentless pursuit of legal victory has earned them a reputation as formidable opponents in the courtroom. Attorneys and staff at McKool Smith are driven by a shared passion for the law and a desire to provide unparalleled legal representation to their clients. At McKool Smith, attorneys have the opportunity to work on high-stakes cases that have the potential to shape industries and set legal precedents. The firm's diverse practice areas cover a wide range of industries, including intellectual property, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, securities, and white-collar defense. This breadth of expertise ensures that attorneys at McKool Smith are constantly challenged and engaged in cutting-edge legal matters. The firm's impressive roster of clients is a testament to its exceptional legal prowess. McKool Smith represents Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, and high-profile individuals, all of whom trust the firm to handle their most complex and sensitive legal issues. Working alongside such esteemed clients allows attorneys at McKool Smith to gain invaluable experience and build a network of influential contacts. McKool Smith's commitment to professional development is evident in its comprehensive training programs and mentorship initiatives. Attorneys and staff are provided with the resources and support they need to thrive in their careers. The firm's collaborative work environment fosters a culture of learning and growth, where individuals are encouraged to share their knowledge and expertise with their colleagues. In addition to the intellectual stimulation and professional growth opportunities, McKool Smith offers a host of benefits to its attorneys and staff. The firm recognizes the importance of work-life balance and provides flexible work arrangements to accommodate personal commitments. McKool Smith also offers competitive compensation packages, including generous bonuses and benefits, ensuring that its employees are rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Beyond the professional realm, McKool Smith is deeply committed to giving back to the community. The firm actively supports various charitable organizations and encourages its attorneys and staff to engage in pro bono work. By providing legal services to those in need, McKool Smith is making a positive impact on society and instilling a sense of purpose in its employees. Joining McKool Smith means becoming part of a dynamic and prestigious legal team. Attorneys and staff have the opportunity to work on groundbreaking cases, collaborate with top legal minds, and make a lasting impact in the legal field. With a track record of success and a commitment to excellence, McKool Smith is the ideal destination for those seeking a thrilling and rewarding legal career.
Practice Areas
McKool Smith practices law in the following areas and works with its clients to provide the best possible legal solutions.
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Recovery Litigation
- Contract Litigation
- Securities Litigation
- Whistleblower
- False Claims Act Litigation
- Antitrust Litigation
- Class Action Litigation
- Energy Litigation
- Fiduciary Duty Litigation
- Mergers & Acquisitions Litigation
- Corporate Governance
- Business And Securities Valuation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Appellate
- Arbitration And Adr
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Patent Litigation
- Itc
- Section 337 Litigation
- Copyright Trademark And False Advertising Litigation
- Trade Secrets And Restrictive Covenant Litigation
- White Collar Defense
- Government Investigations
- Internal Investigations
- Antitrust Investigations
- Bankruptcy
Hiring Criteria
McKool Smith follows the set of hiring criteria outlined below.
We are seeking high-achievers who are interested in becoming successful trial lawyers. A top-tier law school, grades in the top 20% percent of the candidate's law school class, journal experience, moot court/mock trial, and high undergraduate grades are all preferred.
Pro bono
The firm has not reported whether it counts pro bono hours towards the minimum billable hours requirement. Pro bono hours are counted the same as billable hours for the purposes of year-end bonuses.
Search Law Firm Jobs in Dallas
Legal Jobs in Dallas and Near Locations
Legal Salary
McKool Smith Awards and Recognitions Write a review
Chambers USA ranks the leading firms and lawyers in an extensive range of practice areas throughout America
Ranked nationally as a leading firm for Intellectual Property - Patent Litigation.
Diversity Write a review
McKool Smith is, and has been, committed to creating an inclusive, open and respectful culture comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, where each and every individual is given a platform for success. We recognize that true diversity encompasses an infinite range of individual characteristics and experiences, including race, color, religion, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, and other factors. The firm's goal is to create a work environment where the unique attributes, perspectives, backgrounds, skills, and abilities of each employee are valued.
Summer associate program
Our summer associate program is similar to our associate program. We have substantive work to do, and we enlist summer associates to do that work. Summer associates draft motions and discovery requests, meet with clients, attend depositions, and assist with trial preparation. They work directly with attorneys at all levels, from the first year associate to the corner-office principal. Along the way, they receive meaningful feedback and guidance. Each summer associate is assigned two mentors, one associate and one principal, who ensure that the summer associate has diverse work assignments and is introduced to the attorneys in the firm.
Articles
Trial Firm McKool Moves to New DC Office
Trial Firm McKool Moves to New DC Office...
Howrey, LLP, welcomes Ethan E. Litwin to its New York office
Howrey, LLP, welcomes Ethan E. Litwin to its New York officeCono Carrano rejoins Howrey, LLPGary Torrell joins Valensi Rose, PLC, as a new attorneyNew associate...
More Law Firms in Dallas
Atrium LLP
At Atrium, we are building technology that lets lawyers provide exceptional legal service better and faster. We are doing that as a team of engineers, designers and lawyers working on legal products for high growth technology companies....
Baron & Budd PC
Take, for example, the pharmaceutical industry. Not only does misleading or incomplete marketing of name brand name drugs like Avandia lead to health complications or even death, it also places a burden on states by ratcheting up Medicare and Medicaid expenses for drug-related complications. Baron & Budd took on the challenge of holding Avandia manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline accountable by representing thousands of individual Avandia users in a confidential settlement and by representing the State...
Jackson Walker LLP
For 125 years, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. Since our founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies in the state in key industries that shaped the course of Texas history, including railroads, the media, and oil and gas exploration. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas, serving clients across the globe. Our commitment to those clients remains the same: to provide practical, effective solutions...
Legal Recruiters in Dallas
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...
Wegman Partners, LLC
Everything we do is driven by our objective to secure the success of our clients. It is a lasting statement of what we are about and how we go about our business. We provide a full range of legal recruiting services in a team-based environment, working hard for our clients to deliver the very ...
Amicus Search Group LLC
Amicus Search Group was founded by Alysa Schildcrout and Lee Allbritton, two veteran attorney recruiters. The Amicus Search team consists of qualified, experienced attorney recruiters with years of experience in placing attorneys in the most desirable law firm and in-house jobs....
References
http://www.mckoolsmith.com/
http://www.lawfirmstats.com/
http://www.nalpdirectory.com/
http://www.vault.com/
