Overview
Introduction
As one of the world’s largest law firms, with 69 international offices and over 6,000 lawyers, Baker McKenzie is known for its cross-border work. The firm often recruits candidates with global experience or, at least, a genuine interest in international matters. The firm offers associates satisfying work experiences, genuinely friendly colleagues, and autonomy with their caseloads.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Baker McKenzie puts the “big” in BigLaw because of its many attorneys and worldwide offices. It also gives associates big work experiences, compensation, and opportunities for partner interactions. Law school attended, academic achievement, and work experience all impact the hiring process, and associates can look forward to coworkers who are sociable, collaborative, and friendly. Partners are integrally involved in associate development and success and contribute meaningful feedback. Having partners in the office more often would further enhance their ability to guide associates, but generally, the firm’s training and mentoring programs are effective. Projects range from basic document review to challenging, complex work that may be above an associate’s experience level, and asso...
About the Firm
With dozens of offices spanning every continent, Baker McKenzie takes “global” to another level. The firm’s geographic and practice-area diversification has enabled it to ride out financial storms while outrunning a legion of BigLaw competitors. The firm counsels more than one-half of the world’s largest public companies in a range of practices.
Parlez-Vous “International”?
It all started in 1948 when Russell Baker and John McKenzie shared a cab and discussed the idea of establishing an international law firm. By 1949, the two had launched Baker & McKenzie, with Baker focused on building the international practice and McKenzie handling the litigation work. The rest is history.
Today, any firm with a few outposts outside its home city or a number of foreign-bas...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Very collaborative. Everybody wants to learn, and everybody wants everybody else to do well.”
- “The firm's culture is inclusive, supportive, inspiring, and collegial.”
- “People are very kind and social. There are regular social events in the office that almost everyone attends. Everyone interacts with lawyers and staff with respect and kindness. There's a lot of chit chat and casual conversation on top of the work. It's a really great environment, and as a first year, I feel respected.”
- “Baker has a fantastic culture, and a big emphasis is placed on colleagues getting to know each other and socializing. Partners are very approachable.”
Diversity at Baker McKenzie
Getting Hired Here
- “We typically hire through the summer associate program, and associates are involved in screening candidates and in the interview process. Law school attended and grades seems to be the most relevant items for summer associates, though I think diversity is relevant too. Personality comes more into play during callbacks. Prior work experience is more relevant for laterals, though it does come into play for summer associate hiring depending on whether the candidate has a desired practice group. The firm typically likes to hire from the top 15 U.S. News schools. We are provided with materials to help us prepare for interviews.”
- “I believe that the firm mostly considers the prestige of the law school attended, as well as law school grades and personality.”
- “Hiring process is generally done through summer associate recruitment or laterals. I was hired through the firm's client-diversity program. Newer associates tend to come from many schools. Certain feeder schools in New York include Fordham and NYU. Personality is considered highly, although grades and performance are also important.”
- “We look for candidates with strong academic and professional backgrounds, with a positive attitude, and who seem to be a good fit in the firm. And yes, we have interview and recruitment training materials.”
Perks & Benefits