Overview
Introduction
Following a “One Firm” model through which lawyers frequently work across offices and borders, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is a friendly, collegial firm where associates and partners get along famously. Lawyers take their work seriously but are also happy to socialize with colleagues both during and after work hours.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner masterfully strikes a balance between its current BigLaw identity and its Midwestern roots. The firm’s identity has added complexity thanks to a recent merger with a London-based firm, which increased both the length of the firm’s name and its global footprint. The firm’s hiring process is competitive as a result of small summer associate classes, and is regionally focused with offices seeking top talent from local law schools. BCLP’s culture is friendly and relaxed without being overly social, which associates feel facilitates good work-life balance. Partners are accessible thanks to an open-door policy, which enhances the firm’s mentorship offerings, but firm management could be more transparent in several areas. The 1,900-hour billable requirement is...
Firm's Response
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) brings enduring value to client relationships. By combining the practice experience, industry knowledge, and market connections of more than 1,300 corporate and finance transactions, litigation, and investigations, and real estate lawyers across 31 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and As...
About the Firm
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has established itself in the 21st century as an ambitious upstart on the global scene while retaining its historic ties to the Show-Me State. Today, the firm has more than 1,200 attorneys and other professionals across three continents.
Come Together
Founded in 1873 in St. Louis as King, Phillips, and Stewart, the firm became Stewart, Bryan, Christie, and Williams through a merger in 1911. When Rhodes Cave joined in 1917, the firm took on the name Bryan, Williams, and Cave. The firm underwent national expansion in the 1970s and turned its attention to overseas growth a decade later, and it wasn’t long before the firm solidified its reputation abroad. In April 2018, Bryan Cave merged with Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. The new firm, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “My team is incredibly friendly. We don't really socialize together outside of work, so it is more informal water-cooler chat. The firm does host in-person events at the office, and I really appreciated the holiday party [it] puts on for our diverse attorneys.”
- “High-quality legal work with a more laid-back BigLaw culture. Expectations are still high, but most partners have families and are actively involved in the community, so they tend to be more understanding of the flexibility needed for associates to do the same.”
- “Open-door policy where I feel comfortable speaking with both associates and partners both about work and personal life. I go out with associates about once a month to eat and will get drinks with coworkers in my class year.”
- “Firm culture socially is great, and usually, firm-sponsored events to socialize happen once a month. There is good, organic camaraderie between the associates with a supporting environment where other associates are supportive of my success.”
Diversity at BCLP
Getting Hired Here
- “We have small summer associate classes, so hiring tends to be very competitive.”
- “Students from local schools have a better chance than students from top-tier schools. Diversity is still a critical factor. This office seems to value prior work experience and ‘mature’ candidates. Law review doesn't seem to matter; if you're from a top-tier or national school, join after a judicial clerkship.”
- “I believe it is a competitive process, and the firm requires strong grades and experience. The firm generally hires from schools in the region. The firm has guidelines for interviewing candidates.”
- “Many associate hires come from summer associates who decide to stay. The regional schools are feeder schools. There are quite a few former clerks. There is good representation from law review, moot court, or mock trial.”
Perks & Benefits