Overview

Introduction

At K&L Gates, attorneys tackle sophisticated work for high-caliber clients in a supportive environment. A free-market assignment system allows associates to exercise control over their workload, and more-senior attorneys act as willing mentors. K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world, with close to 2,000 lawyers across five continents. Among the firm’s top-notch practices are corporate; energy and infrastructure; finance; intellectual property; labor, employment, and workplace safety; litigation and ...

Firm Stats

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Total No. Attorneys (2021)

1.5K - 2K
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No. of Partners Named (2021)

31
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Featured Rankings

Vault Law 100
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No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2020)

41
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No. of Summer Associates (2021)

66 total (47 2Ls; 19 1Ls)
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Base Salary

1st year: $140,000-$205,000, depending on the location.

Vault Verdict

Beyond credentials, K&L Gates looks for motivated associates with the right personality fit. The firm has an “all in this together” attitude, and while there are plenty of social gatherings, there is no pressure to attend if you’d prefer family or personal time. Partners are easy to work with and dedicated to associate growth. While formal training is somewhat sparse, associates agree that mentorship and hands-on training from more-senior attorneys is strong. Associates are reviewed annually, but some expressed a lack of clarity surrounding promotion and compensation decisions. Associates are satisfied with their compensation, especially considering their work-life balance. The firm has an 1,850 billable-hours expectation, and though not always perfect, partners actively t...

About the Firm

K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world, with close to 2,000 lawyers across five continents. Among the firm’s top-notch practices are corporate; energy and infrastructure; finance; intellectual property; labor, employment, and workplace safety; litigation and dispute resolution; policy and regulatory; real estate; and asset management and investment funds.

Multiplicity

The new millennium saw a flurry of mergers, which formed the firm we now call K&L Gates. In January 2007, Seattle’s Preston Gates & Ellis got hitched to Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham (itself the product of one of the largest U.S.-U.K. mergers in legal history: the 2005 pairing of Pittsburgh-based Kirkpatrick & Lockhart and London’s Nicholson Graham &...

Vault Top Ranked shield

2022 Vault Rankings

#45

Vault Law 100

#3

Best Law Firms in the Pacific Northwest

#4

Best Law Firms in the South Atlantic

Associate Reviews

  • “Pre-COVID, lawyers would socialize with each other very frequently. During COVID, there would occasionally be firm-sponsored virtual happy hours. The day-to-day interaction is very pleasant and casual. Lawyers and staff interact frequently and are very friendly with one another.”
  • “[The Research Triangle Park] office is collegial but lawyers are mostly focused on their families, billing hours, and commuting.  It is not at all a ‘work hard, play hard’ culture—very few social gatherings outside the office. Other KLG offices may be different.”
  • “In my experience, the firm has tried to foster a sense of collegiality through social events hosted by the firm. On a day-to-day basis, there is a sense that the partners and associates are all part of the same team working together. I have felt that my opinions have been valued equally by partners with much more seniority than I have.”
  • “People enjoy their jobs and respect each other’s social lives. I like that I'm expected to communicate about what is going on in my life and work with others on my deal teams to ensure that no one is drowning or lacking work.”

Diversity at K&L Gates LLP

"K&L Gates has built a workplace that is intrinsically diverse in experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is the force that propels and supports our dedication to our people and our culture. At K&L Gates, one of our core values is to create and sustain a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture that encourages satisfaction and productivity for all of our lawyers and professional staff. It is our strategic priority to maintain an inclusive culture that enriches the experience of our lawyers, enabling..."
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Getting Hired Here

  • “[The] firm has training programs for those who interview candidates and guidelines to follow. K&L Gates looks for candidates who are motivated, driven, and excited to learn. The firm truly believes in training and raising individuals up to be the best attorneys and colleagues they can be.”
  • “My firm is considering candidates that look great on paper, are diverse, and seem to fit in with the firm culture. …”

Perks & Benefits