Kobre & Kim LLP

800 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Phone number: (212) 488-1200

Overview

Introduction

A global litigation firm founded in 2003 by two former U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors, Kobre & Kim is now home to more than 120 attorneys worldwide. It is a go-to firm for complex cross-border dispute resolution. Uniquely, the firm generally avoids repeat client relationships—and the associated conflicts of interest—and thus is often engaged by other law firms to act as special litigation counsel to handle trial work in complex disputes.

Firm Stats

Total No. Attorneys (2021)

100 - 150

No. of Partners Named (2021)

Featured Rankings

Top 150 Under 150

Base Salary

All offices

No. of U.S. Offices

No. of International Offices

Vault Verdict

Kobre & Kim is looking for experienced attorneys with a clerkship or some other distinguishing skill under their belt, and top-notch writing skills—there’s a writing test included in the interview process. Because everyone comes in as a mid-level, the firm does well at integrating new lawyers quickly. The atmosphere is professional but friendly, with the firm providing plenty of opportunities to be social (live or via Zoom as appropriate). Relations between associates and partners are generally respectful, and the firm has well-regarded formal attorney training and mentorship programs, and encourages informal mentorship. Associates receive substantive work, with enough on their plates to k...

About the Firm

Kobre & Kim is a global law firm focused exclusively on international disputes and investigations, often involving allegations of fraud or misconduct. Kobre & Kim has developed a reputation as a go-to firm for complex cross-border dispute resolution.

Organic Growth

Founded by two former U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors in 2003, Kobre & Kim has organically grown to more than 400 employees who work out of offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the U.S., and the Caribbean. And as an added bonus: the firm generally avoids repeat client relationships and is therefore “conflict-free.” As such, it maintains a diverse client base—including Fortune 500 companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, top-level corporate executives, and foreign citizens—and remains ...

2022 Vault Rankings

Top 150 Under 150

#2

Best Midsize Law Firms for Formal Training

#3

Most Selective Midsize Law Firms

#3

Best Midsize Law Firms in New York

Associate Reviews

“Very professional, friendly environment. Everyone is respectful and nice, but also fun. We are pretty social, especially in the Miami office.”
“There's lots of social activities at your option to join. You can be as involved as you like. There are very regular office meetings, office lunches, office training seminars and … firmwide meetings and trainings where you can interact easily by Zoom. It is a very social office/firm culture.”
“My firm has the ideal mix of social culture—there is room to be social and also no expectation that individuals will be forced to be social. I speak to other associates, partners and staff on a daily basis, but boundaries are respected by all. Professionally, I think the firm works hard to provide trainings and development opportunities on a regular basis, and each partner I have worked with has taken an interest in my career.”
“Open, friendly, intellectually demanding.”

Why Work Here

Kobre & Kim is an international law firm focused exclusively on cross-border disputes and investigations. With offices in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin islands, in addition to U.S. offices in Miami, New York, DC and San Francisco, Kobre & Kim continues to live up to its reputation as a go-to firm for complex cross-border dispute resolution. Many of our attorneys have local legal knowledge and our team fluent in more than a dozen languages. Though we are a global firm, we are committed to maintaining a close-knit and team-oriented atmosphere where attorneys from each of our offices work together to provide clients an integrated advocacy team that addresses all aspects of cross-border matters.

Diversity at Kobre & Kim LLP

"Diversity in background, thought and experience are cornerstone values at Kobre & Kim and this diversity is built into our business model. Through our unique global office network, our teams rely on a diverse range of geographic and cultural expertise to assist clients in cross-border disputes and investigations. With clients in geographies spanning the globe, we understand firsthand how employing talented people with a variety of perspectives creates the best outcomes. This is why we aim to continually attract, retain and promote diverse..."

Read the Diversity Report

Getting Hired Here

“Extremely competitive. K&K only hires fourth-year [or later] associates, there's a writing test, friends of the firm don't automatically get hired, etc.”
“Writing sample requirement and multiple interview rounds—generally need top law school and clerkship experience or something unique—only hires mid-levels.”
“The firm's hiring process is rigorous. It includes multiple rounds of interviews and a writing test. The firm values smart lawyers from good schools, self-starters, and those with an entrepreneurial spirit.”