Overview
Introduction
Fried Frank associates work on complex legal matters in a top-to-bottom friendly and social environment across five global offices with 750 attorneys. The firm prioritizes its people and communities, with associate perks like generous wellness offerings—including fitness stipends and an associates-only lounge in the New York office—and strong dedication to pro bono work.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
If its impressive history isn’t enough to attract associates to Fried Frank, then the firm’s culture and sophisticated work should be. Top credentials and experience typically are musts for getting hired, but the firm also emphasizes personality and good cultural fit, which are key for blending well into office settings that are friendly and collaborative. Lateral hires rave about being integrated seamlessly, while associates generally feel valued, respected, and heard. Training sessions are numerous and high quality, and mentors provide a lot of direct contact and feedback. The quality of work is top-notch, with associates engaging in substantive and challenging assignments, though they do their share of more mundane administrative tasks too. Work assignments are distributed some...
Firm's Response
Fried Frank’s highly commercial and collaborative approach has helped garner a prestigious client base of major corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions that consistently seek our lawyers’ advice on their most complex and sophisticated challenges. Our focused platform of offices in key financial and business centers in th...
About the Firm
Fried Frank’s 750 lawyers are located in key finance and government centers in New York, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Washington, DC. The firm advises many of the world’s leading corporations, investment funds, and financial institutions on their critical legal needs and business opportunities.
An Impressive Crew
Fried Frank traces its history to the turn of the 20th century when a group of German-Jewish lawyers began practicing in New York City in the 1890s, a time when most New York firms did not employ Jewish lawyers. In 1929, Walter J. Fried (pronounced “Freed”) joined the firm as an associate who focused on real estate law. Fried practiced with the firm until his retirement in 1979. In the 1950s, Fried was a pioneer in the movement to convert rental apartment buildings into co...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Extremely friendly and respectful. Practice groups often set up happy hours of their own accord, and firm-sponsored events are always well attended. I always have a few folks stop to chat at my office, which I really appreciate, and I have great relationships with several staff members at the firm.”
- “Collegial, respectful, and collaborative atmosphere with numerous firm-sponsored social events per year. Associates and partners genuinely enjoy attending firm social events and spending time together.”
- “Everyone is extremely kind and lovely to be around. I love working with everyone, and associates do hang out outside of work, which is really nice. Friendships and work relationships are very organic yet also fostered by the firm.”
- “Fried Frank is a place where you can be yourself and where organic interaction is prioritized. People are friends and often spend time together outside of the office.”
Why Work Here
Welcome to Fried Frank – Where Excellence Meets Opportunity
At Fried Frank, we're committed to empowering emerging talent and fostering a culture of excellence. Here, you'll find more than just a place to work; you'll discover a platform for growth, innovation and meaningful impact.
As an associate at Fried Frank, you’ll play an essential role in delivering top-tier legal services to our prestigious client base, which includes the world’s largest investment banks, financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies and other multinational industry leaders. With offices in key financial centers worldwide, our associates are continually involved in complex, high-profile matters, gaining invaluable experience in sophisticated cross-border work.
What sets us apart is our dedication to your professional growth from day one. As a vital member of our firm, you’ll receive a high level of responsibility and meaningful opportunities to interact with clients and collaborate closely with partners.
Diversity at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “Fried Frank looks at a candidate holistically, which I appreciated. … They really try to get to know you to determine if you'll be a good fit culturally.”
- “The firm hires from a diverse range of schools, which I believe creates a more interesting and exciting class. I think academic background is heavily considered, but extracurriculars and personality are also certainly important factors. There are schools that we often recruit from, but none that are ‘feeder’ schools per se. The firm does provide guidelines and sample questions for those who interview candidates.”
- “The hiring process is similar to [that of] most large law firms. I feel that from my limited experience, [it] was open to candidates from a more diverse pool of law schools than most others.”
- “I think the firm is looking primarily for people who feel comfortable in their own skin. We look for people who'll fit into the Fried Frank family.”
Perks & Benefits