Overview
Introduction
Intellectual property is the name of the game at Fish & Richardson, so be prepared to show off your technical or science background during interviews. Founded in 1878 and home to over 360 attorneys, the firm is home to busy associates who are treated to a great culture, top-notch IP work, and high levels of flexibility. Fish & Richardson hires candidates with the expectation that they will climb the ranks, offering a clear path to partnership for anyone willing to put in the work.
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
Fish & Richardson is not only the standard-bearer for top-quality intellectual property work but also offers associates an incredible culture, partner connections, and career prospects. Recruits must have STEM backgrounds, top grades, and an interest in IP. They should expect laid-back, pleasant coworkers in spaces that are supportive and collaborative. The people of Fish & Richardson want to see others succeed, and they do a good job welcoming lateral hires. Associate success is largely due to partner approachability, guidance, and feedback, and partners treat associates with respect as colleagues. Comprehensive training programs contribute to associate development as well. Associates take on a wide variety of high-level, meaningful assignments, and they’re encour...
About the Firm
An influential player in the development of American IP law, Fish & Richardson evolved with the inventions of its clients. From the days of the Industrial Revolution through the most recent technology revolution, the firm has remained a leader in patent law while establishing other targeted practice areas.
Fish First
Founded in Boston in 1878, Fish & Richardson’s early days were marked by its representation of giants of American innovation, including Alexander Graham Bell and, later, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers, handling patents for seminal concepts from the radio to the steam turbine. Today the firm is known for its patent litigation dominance and regularly hits home runs when it goes to bat for clients—for example, the firm represented Gilead Sciences,...
Associate Reviews
- “Fish & Richardson's culture is, in my experience, ideal. Socializing happens both organically and via firm sponsorship. The interpersonal relationships are positive and respectful. The firm performs at the highest levels of patent litigation practice, and the people genuinely enjoy the work and work well together.”
- “Fish is uniquely collegial and collaborative. Folks generally care about each other's success and growth, and there is very little in the way of cutthroat tension or competitive spirit. The firm has ramped up efforts to organize social events in the wake of remote/hybrid work post-COVID, [and] associates are generally enthusiastic about grabbing lunch or drinks together. Lawyers interact with staff and other lawyers as colleagues, regardless of level. Overall, it is a comfortable and encouraging environment.”
- “Laid-back, organic, and collegial. Offices routinely host guests from other locations and integrate them in events, contributing to a firmwide sense of belonging.”
- “Great firm culture. Everyone has an open-door policy, and if you are in the office, a partner usually asks you to go to lunch every day you are in.”
Diversity at Fish & Richardson P.C.
Getting Hired Here
- “The recruitment process is competitive. It's important to have a STEM background and a deep interest in patents and IP. Prior experience in a STEM field is a plus. I do not believe there are ‘feeder schools.’”
- “Fish has a very competitive hiring process. Fish typically hires candidates with a strong science background and strong legal skills—a rare combination. And sometimes it takes multiple applications to get an interview. But working at Fish is worth the time/energy.”
- “Fish looks to top-performing students at national and regional schools. We generally only hire persons with some form of technology background and preferably with at least a few years of work experience outside of undergraduate. We also strongly value people who are motivated, work well with others, and are personable.”
- “Our firm focuses on technical competency rather than specifics of law schools, grades, journals, and clerkships. If you can do the work, you can get hired here. Interviews follow certain guidelines to ensure we target these goals.”
Perks & Benefits