Overview
Introduction
Focusing on litigation, regulatory, and transactional work, King & Spalding’s Atlanta roots set a tone of “southern hospitality” throughout the firm. Come for the collegiality and mentorship, stay for the free Coca Cola. After almost 100 years in Atlanta alone, K&S is now widely regarded as a global firm with 23 offices worldwide and more than 1,200 attorneys.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named (2022)
32
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
57
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
89 total (61 2Ls; 28 1Ls)
Base Salary
1st year: $215,000
Vault Verdict
Even though King & Spalding is headquartered in what is not necessarily considered a top legal market, it is the preeminent law firm in Atlanta and has expanded to major U.S. and international cities. The hiring process tends to focus on highly ranked schools, be they T14 or prominent regional schools where the firm has offices. For all, good grades, journal experience, clerkships, and personality fit are standard criteria for being hired. K&S particularly looks for collegial people who will fit well in genial, down-to-earth office settings and who also enjoy socializing with coworkers. Integration and becoming part of the team, even for lateral hires, is a strong point. The firm culture seems to engender real friendships among attorneys, and partners value the wor...
About the Firm
Over its 130-year history, King & Spalding has branched far from its Southern roots to open offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, giving West Coast and Northeastern firms a run for their money. With stellar corporate, litigation, and regulatory practices, the firm counts among its longtime clients Atlanta-based Coca-Cola—a history of partnership evidenced by the old-fashioned soda fountains found in some K&S offices.
A King Rises
In 1885, Alex C. King and Jack J. Spalding founded what eventually became Atlanta’s largest law firm. Among the firm’s early matters was extensive service for the railroad industry. And like true royalty, the firm was rich in connections—in 1918, King was appointed U.S. Solicitor General, and in the 1940s, S...
2023 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “There is plenty of work to go around. I appreciate the opportunity to engage in pro bono endeavors. The billable requirement is reasonable at 1950 hours hours, including 100 hours pro bono.”
- “The work hours are generally manageable, although I spend more time working than I would like. There has been flexibility in where I work during the pandemic and to some extent otherwise for a few days at a time. The billable hour requirement is 100 hours lower than it used to be, which is definitely appreciated.”
- “We are certainly busy, but the firm is incredibly flexible regarding where or when you work. We have a billable hour requirement, but it is reasonable. Partners seem to understand that our work is stressful, and that it is important to take time off. Vacations are universally encouraged and respected provided you plan ahead.”
Diversity at King & Spalding LLP
"King & Spalding strives to attract and retain a broad pool of diverse and women lawyers. We work towards that goal through a collaborative environment that benefits from the sharing of viewpoints, experiences, ideas, and unique qualities that each of our lawyers brings to the firm. Diversity is an integral part of our culture and deeply rooted in our policies and procedures with specific focus on recruiting, developing, and promoting our lawyers. Recruiting: King & Spalding pursues opportunities to diversify its attorney..."
Getting Hired Here
JOB OPENINGS AT THIS COMPANY
- “Law school attended, grades, journal experience, clerkship, prior work experience, personality, diversity—all of these are targets the firm shoots for in hiring. There are interviewing guidelines….”
- “I think like most firms, the hiring process is very competitive. For summer associates, I think they are focused on the best schools, highest grades, journal experience, etc. However, for laterals, I think they are less concerned about those things and more concerned with overall fit and experience.”
- “K&S is looking for candidates who are dedicated to providing outstanding client service in a collaborative environment. The grades and things like that are the baseline—necessary, but not sufficient. We're also looking for people who are willing to work hard and who have shown an ability to overcome challenges, whether that be through prior work experience, military experience, or something else.”
