Overview
Introduction
One of Boston's top firms, Choate operates out of one office in Beantown—though its practice extends across the nation with clients such as BioNTech, Wells Fargo, and Summit Partners. The firm specializes in five main areas: complex litigation and investigations; finance and restructuring; life sciences and technology; middle-market private equity/M&A; and wealth management. The firm provides associates with ample hands-on experience and prioritizes associate feedback.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Choate, Hall & Stewart is a Massachusetts powerhouse. The culture is collaborative and social, and the single-office model facilitates excellent relationships between associates and partners. The firm requires 2,000 billable hours of its associates, but 150 of these hours can come from a mix of on-the-job training, pro bono work, DEI activity, and some recruiting and marketing. Salaries are at the top of the market, and above-market bonuses can be earned by high billers. Associates receive substantive work across a variety of areas, and although the firm’s technology is not bleeding-edge, associates generally have no complaints and say that remote work is technologically supported. Attorney wellness efforts include some standard resources (such as reasonably healthy ...
About the Firm
Since 1899, Choate Hall & Stewart has been a Boston firm. Although smaller than its national competitors in terms of the number of attorneys, Choate has remained competitive without compromising its collaborative, one-office culture.
Keeping It Local
Choate is a legal force in Massachusetts. The firm is among the top 10 firms in Vault’s Best Law Firms in Boston ranking. In an era of megafirm expansion, Choate has rebuffed the advances of larger firms looking to merge and has held off takeovers to stay in Boston. The firm says its strategy of maintaining a legal team under one roof allows it to "deliver seamless client service" unmatched by firms with a dozen offices around the United States. The firm's client list—which includes national entities such as BioNTech,...
Associate Reviews
- “The one-firm model fosters a very collaborative, community-driven environment. Lawyers know one another well, and socializing (both at work and outside of work) is the norm. There are a great deal of sponsored activities, but also a great deal of spontaneous opportunities to get together, either for mentorship or purely socially.”
- “Choate is a highly collegial firm. Everyone knows everyone on a first-name basis. There are firm events, like lunches and happy hours each week. And it's the kind of place where if you want to talk to someone, you don't pick up the phone. You walk to their office and have a conversation with them.”
- “Day-to-day interactions are very friendly and cordial. Everyone knows everyone since we are under one roof. We have formal social events and lawyers do socialize organically, especially within practice groups.”
- “Choate has a tight-knit and social culture. There is an open-door policy that is backed up by actual collaboration and a feeling that associates and partners are available and willing to help any time. Associates in my department typically have at least one organic social event per week, which is supplemented by planned social events typically every quarter or so.”
Diversity at Choate, Hall & Stewart
Getting Hired Here
- “Our firm is looking for a candidate who is proactive and knows how to take initiative but is also a good team player. We also look for people who show strong writing skills. Overall, the firm looks for well-rounded candidates, and it's not about having a particular type of experience on your resume.”
- “Choate looks for individuals who are hardworking, gritty, and personable. A sense of humor is essential, too. Feeder schools include all schools in the Boston area, as well as many T14 schools.”
- “Good grades and a top law school are givens, but what sways the decision from there is whether the candidate is a good fit for the culture.”
- “Choate is looking for attorneys with proven academic performance and a strong commitment to remain in Boston (this is our only office). We also look for folks who will fit into our strong team-oriented culture and will get along well with others.”
Perks & Benefits