Overview
Introduction
With 16 offices in financial centers across four continents and lawyers from more than 50 countries, Cleary is an established worldwide law firm with a global reach. Known for its cross-border work, including its representation of national governments, Cleary is one of the most prestigious firms. Good global citizenship takes on a distinct meaning in light of the firm’s many pro bono efforts. Intellectual curiosity and an amiable personality will go far in fitting in with the firm’s unique “Cleary Culture.”
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
For its benefits, such as the lack of a hard billable requirement and uncapped pro bono work, Cleary is a great landing spot for associates. Credentials such as good grades, journal experience, and work experience are important hiring criteria, and recruitment has expanded to include candidates in non-T14 schools. Personalities matter, too, because coworkers are collegial and enjoy each other’s company through social events and project collaboration. Associates experience close and supportive relationships with partners, who are accessible and approachable. Partner mentorship, along with training through programs like the Cleary Core Curriculum, make associates feel like they’re receiving great development opportunities. Work assignments, ranging from document review to client eng...
About the Firm
Cleary is a leading global law firm with offices on four continents and an unparalleled reputation for groundbreaking work. A dominant player in the international and corporate business world, Cleary has increased both its corporate and litigation capabilities, strengthening and expanding the full suite of resources it offers clients.
Globetrotting Trendsetter
Founded in 1946 by four former partners of the Wall Street law firm Root Clark and three attorneys steeped in government service (including Henry Friendly, a preeminent federal judge widely known from his time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit), Cleary Gottlieb simultaneously opened offices in New York and Washington, DC. The firm almost immediately began to expand its global footprint in 1949 with the opening o...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Cleary is a collegial and collaborative place. The firm organizes firm-sponsored events, both social and educational. Socializing outside of firm-sponsored events depends on practice groups, etc. Staff are considered part of the team, and there are a number of firmwide events that allow for socializing between lawyers and staff outside of working roles.”
- “Cleary is an incredibly friendly firm. When I first started, I was struck by how often people recognized that I was new and introduced themselves. People often chat with one another in the cafeteria while grabbing breakfast or lunch, including across practice groups and between attorneys and staff. Attorneys tend to be nice law nerds who enjoy the law that they practice but still have lives and interests outside of the firm. Teams are collaborative, and colleagues are good about sharing work and offering to help when others are stretched thin. I appreciate that I have made genuine friendships with some of my colleagues.”
- “Collegial and friendly. Lawyers enjoy each other’s company and socialize together at firm events … Day to day, the office is pretty quiet; people are busy. Will get coffee or lunch with fellow associates and staff from time to time. Staff are excellent and included in all social events.”
- “The associates and partners I typically interact with are pleasant and generally easy to work with. I'm not a particularly outgoing person, so in my opinion, there are more opportunities to socialize as a firm than I take advantage of. Lawyers and staff seem to get along well.”
Why Work Here
Cleary Gottlieb was founded by prominent lawyers committed to excellence in the practice of law, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and diversity and collegiality in its lawyers. Our reasoning is not complicated. The best work product results from talented people working in a common enterprise, sharing their knowledge, time, and experience with colleagues. Only a handful of firms around the world are so confident of their core values that they are willing to share the rewards of their work in the way that we do. Generations of Cleary lawyers have proven there is no better way to foster excellence for ourselves and superior service for our clients.
Diversity at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “All interviewers receive training and specific criteria for interviews. The firm frequently hires from T14 schools but has recently begun hiring from non-T14 schools as well.”
- “Cleary seems to be looking for the fun, nerdy type who gets along well with others. They look for people who are team players and also more socially adept. Cleary is not filled with sharks or cutthroat people. Cleary seems to get most candidates from Harvard and Columbia, with a number from NYU and other T14 schools, though they say they are trying to expand.”
- “There were definitely certain feeder schools for a long time (Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Yale, etc.), but they've been expanding their reach in diversity of schools, which I think has resulted in some great hires who are driven to work hard (top of their class at their schools which may be lower-ranked).”
- “Once you have the base qualifications (good grades, schools, prior experience, etc.), the hiring process really turns on if you'll be a good fit for the team. The firm seems to place a premium on personality at that point, someone they would want to be around at 3 a.m. during a fire drill.”
Perks & Benefits