Paul Hastings LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
New York, NY 10166
(212) 318-6000
Overview
Introduction
Consistently among the top law firms for quality of life, Paul Hastings prioritizes associate mentorship, training, and long-term career development. Lawyers seeking an amiable, collaborative atmosphere where hard work and client service are valued will likely be a good fit at the firm. There’s no shortage of challenging legal matters to tackle, but the attorneys at Paul Hastings step up to the plate to produce excellence, while maintaining a relaxed culture and a good work-life balance.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named (2022)
13
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
90
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
82 total (77 2Ls; 5 1Ls)
Base Salary
1st year: $215,0002nd year: $225,0003rd year: $250,0004th...
Vault Verdict
Paul Hastings looks for it all when it comes to recruiting candidates—grades, personality, work experience, diversity, and a drive to learn. Friendly, warm, and respectful, the attorneys at the firm are eager to collaborate and frequently socialize. Partners are encouraged to provide meaningful feedback on a real-time basis, and associates feel respected and that their input is valued by partners. Firm leadership is generally transparent regarding decisions, performance, and compensation. Work ebbs and flows, but the associates say the 2,000 billable hour requirement is reasonable and that work is evenly distributed. Associates are thrilled with the market salary and bonuses they receive, especially considering unlimited pro bono work can be attributed to the billable hour require...
About the Firm
Over the last few decades, Paul Hastings has grown from a mid-market U.S. firm to an international outfit with strengths in employment, tax, and business law and big-name clients in more than 80 countries. With offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo, the firm has become especially strong in Asian market dealings.
It Started with Three
In 1951, Harvard law grads Bob Hastings, Lee Paul, and Leonard Janofsky pooled their ambition to form a new firm in Los Angeles. They divided the workload three ways: Janofsky handled employment law matters, Paul dealt with litigation, and Hastings managed business law. In 1962, Charles Walker joined the trio as a partner, adding his name to the masthead and establishing a tax practice. Walker took a brief sojourn from the firm in the 1...
2023 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Paul Hastings fosters a very collaborative environment that encourages professional development through a mix of formal and informal events, including retreats, speaking events, and social hours.”
- “Our firm seems to straddle the balance between socially cohesive and respectful of one's private time and space. Attorneys get together often and relish collaborating, but no one is faulted for not attending events or other gatherings.”
- “Nearly everyone is very friendly and, especially when it comes to the actual work, most are true team players. Among peers, there is much more collaborative teamwork than competitive gamesmanship. Most people seem to truly want to pull their own weight.”
- “People are friendly and respectful. Firm events are well attended. I have a group chat with other associates that I summered with, and we regularly see each other outside of work. People are very respectful of vacations, and I have been impressed by partners' modeling and commitment to work-life balance.”
Diversity at Paul Hastings LLP
"At Paul Hastings, we are committed to acting with integrity, valuing knowledge, and embracing diversity. To raise awareness in the market, explore best practices, and highlight our clients and their progress in advancing diversity, we often collaborate with our clients and the industry on thought leadership. In 2017 and 2018, the Firm worked with GC Magazine to produce the GC Diversity and Inclusion Report, an examination of innovative actions of the legal community. Building on this series in 2019, we teamed up with Minority..."
Getting Hired Here
- “I believe the firm is looking for people with strong academic backgrounds but who are a fit for a more relaxed and congenial office. I don't know about specific feeder schools, but generally top 20 schools or strong regional schools seem to be well represented.”
- “I appreciate that the firm looks at the whole applicant and not just where they went to school or their grades. I am involved in interviewing and am glad that we are asked to look at other factors that make someone a good lawyer and co-worker.”
- “Law school attended, grades, prior work experience, personality, diversity, and interest in the subject matter for juniors.”
- “We hire from many schools. Focus is on personality.”
Practice Area Q&A’s
Elena Baca
Partner & Global Chair
Paul Hastings LLP
Christopher Ross
Partner
Paul Hastings LLP
