Overview
Introduction
HSF has thousands of lawyers across 25 global offices, but their only U.S. office is a relatively small one in New York City, with about 50 lawyers. The firm’s midtown-based office focuses on commercial litigation, international arbitration, and investigations, offering a fairly unique opportunity to do international and cross-border work. Associates at the firm report general satisfaction with work hours, the type of work they do, and the culture of the firm.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
No. of U.S. Offices
No. of International Offices
Vault Verdict
Although its U.S. presence is limited to one small New York office, Herbert Smith Freehills is one of the largest and most prestigious global law firms. The New York office has a pleasant, collegial culture with plenty of socializing for those who seek it, and relations between partners and associates are positive overall. The firm has a higher-than-average billable hour requirement of 2,100 for bonus eligibility, though bonuses are market scale, as are the firm’s base salaries. Quality of work rates highly, with early client interaction and early responsibility for entire cases. That early responsibility, combined with limited training and mentoring, means candidates should be ready to hit the ground running. Technology is generally good, although the firm does not encourage remo...
About the Firm
With thousands of lawyers across 25 global locations, Herbert Smith Freehills is a global legal force. The firm’s main practices include corporate; dispute resolution; finance, real estate, and projects; employment, pensions, and incentives; and competition, regulation, and trade, as well as its Alternative Legal Services division.
U.K. & Aussie Roots with a Growing Big Apple Presence
In 2012, U.K. law firm Herbert Smith combined with Australian firm Freehills, creating what is known today as Herbert Smith Freehills. In that same year, the firm opened its New York office. The firm continues to grow its presence in New York. Today, the firm’s midtown-based office has nearly 50 lawyers who mostly focus on commercial litigation, international arbitration, and investigations—much o...
Associate Reviews
- “Cordial, friendly, and unique personalities.”
- “Lawyers socialize a balanced amount of time, mostly at firm-sponsored events. I would say at least one to two [times per] month, there is some form of social interaction. Day-to-day atmosphere is quite pleasant. From the positive interactions of lawyers and staff, which I believe to be quite pleasant, to the everyday tasks that we take on, interactions amongst individuals (lawyers or not), I'd argue, are largely positive.” &...
Why Work Here
Getting Hired Here
- “We want people who want to be full-on, practicing attorneys from day one. There is no place to hide here; we want you to throw yourself into the work and provide real, supportable advice from the get-go.”
- “I haven't really seen any trends; we have associates from high-ranked schools but also much lower ranked ones.”
- “I believe our firm is looking for competitive candidates who are able to deal with international transactions and are able to contribute...
Perks & Benefits