Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
New York, NY 10022
Phone number: (212) 909-6000
Visit Website: www.debevoise.com
Summer Program: Learn More
Overview
Introduction
One of the New York elites, Debevoise is a leader in the private equity and M&A spaces and is also a go-to firm for white collar matters. The firm has a reputation of being intellectual and respectful and provides ample support to its associates—from extensive mentoring to career coaching. Associates wanting extensive pro bono opportunities will find Debevoise a great place to land, as helping underserved communities has been an area of focus since the firm’s founding in 1931.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
750 - 1K
No. of Partners Named (2022)
8
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2021)
116
No. of Summer Associates (2021)
128 total (124 2Ls; 4 1Ls)
Base Salary
U.S. offices
Vault Verdict
Debevoise is a true blue blood in the vaunted New York legal market, though it has expanded to nine worldwide offices and over 800 attorneys. Associates typically come from top law schools—especially Columbia and NYU—and accolades, including top grades and clerkships, matter. However, intellectual curiosity and personality fit are important criteria as well in creating a friendly and collaborative work environment. There seems to be an unwritten rule at Debevoise of simply being “nice” to everyone and an understanding that people have lives outside of the workplace. Partners are approachable and take an interest in the professional development of associates. Formal training, including a three-week business education program, and engaged mentors ensure that young attorneys receive ...
Firm's Response
Who We Are: Debevoise is ranked among the best law firms globally because of our unwavering focus on our people. Our goal is to bring the best, most diverse talent to our firm, where we work to build and sustain an inclusive community—one in which all our lawyers can grow, thrive, and work as a single team...
About the Firm
Debevoise & Plimpton ranks as one of New York’s most powerful law firms, representing high-profile clients in transactions and disputes in established and emerging markets around the world. The firm’s core franchise practices include strategic and private equity, M&A, insurance, financial services transactions, fund formation, complex litigation, white collar/investigations, and international arbitration.
Good Genes
Eli Whitney Debevoise—a direct descendent of the inventor of the cotton gin—and William E. Stevenson founded their firm in New York in 1931. Debevoise wasn’t the only one with an interesting background; Stevenson was a gold medalist on the 1,600-meter relay team in the 1924 Olympics. Francis T.P. Plimpton, whose name graced the masthead starting in 193...
Associate Reviews
- “The culture is, in my opinion, unusually friendly and reasonable. People expect you to be a person and have a family and life, and are understanding when you have things going on other than work. There is an emphasis on culture and on socialization that doesn't feel as forced as I am used to elsewhere.”
- “So far, everyone at Debevoise has been absolutely lovely. That was a big selling point for me: everyone treats you with respect and decency at the very least. Probably one of the biggest cultural rules at the firm is to be nice to everyone, especially support and office staff.”
- “I interact with many colleagues on a daily basis outside of work, mainly because these people have become my friends. The atmosphere is so collaborative and everyone really looks out for each other. All of the lawyers are polite and respectful to the other staff and realize how fundamental they are to daily operations of the firm. The firm also hosts events to bring lawyers together on more personal levels, which results in a more wholesome working environment.”
Why Work Here
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. Our clients look to us to bring a distinctively high degree of quality, intensity and creativity to resolve legal challenges effectively and cost efficiently.
Deep partner commitment, industry experience and a strategic approach enable us to bring clear commercial judgment to every matter. We draw on the strength of our culture and structure to deliver the best of our firm to every client through true collaboration.
Approximately 800 lawyers work in ten offices across three continents, within integrated global practices, serving clients around the world. Our lawyers prioritize developing a deep understanding of the business of our clients. We then pursue each matter with both intensity and creativity to achieve optimal results.
We are committed to serving our clients through excellence in lawyering. We receive numerous accolades and awards recognizing this commitment and the firm’s market prominence worldwide.
Debevoise is also recognized as one of the leading firms for diversity. We believe that a diverse workforce, where all of our colleagues feel respected, builds a stronger firm, and benefits clients and the wider community.
The firm’s culture fosters a collaborative approach across disciplines and regions, and, as a result, clients benefit from the dedication, cohesiveness and superior quality that we bring to all of our work worldwide.
Diversity at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
"One of the greatest strengths of Debevoise & Plimpton is our community. This has been true throughout the history of the firm. In recent years, we have built upon that strong foundation with specific community-building initiatives and firm-wide events. • This past year we instituted a new Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council, a 40+ lawyer group that works with our D&I Leadership Team to encourage dialogue on important issues affecting diversity and inclusion at Debevoise. We have also revamped our associate liaison..."
Getting Hired Here
- “Law school attended, cultural fit, diversity, and academic/clerkship credentials.”
- “For the summer associate class, the firm recruits strong students at the top schools and also the top students at all schools in the New York area. The firm also hires lots of federal law clerks. The firm likes friendly people who show an interest in private practice, and know at least a little about what we do. Diversity is highly sought after with regard to race and sexuality.”
- “I was hired at OCI at my school. There was a requirement to submit an application that candidates were in the top 5% of their class. Journal and moot court were encouraged but not required. I believe they were looking for candidates that have positive energy and ambition. The firm frequently hires from Ivy League schools; however, I did not go to an Ivy League school and was still given an opportunity to interview and be hired.”
Perks & Benefits
