Overview
Introduction
With roots in Atlanta dating back to the 1800s and 21 global offices, including one in Anchorage, Alaska, Kilpatrick Townsend is entrenched as a worldwide force in the legal arena. Specifically, it is a leader in the areas of intellectual property and IP litigation, having represented entities like Google and Sony, and they take pride in helping companies protect their most prized assets. Associates are treated well and enjoy complex but interesting work.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
No. of Partners Named (2021)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
If an associate wants to engage in sophisticated intellectual property work, he/she would be hard pressed to find a better landing spot than Kilpatrick Townsend. The vetting process for new associates is extensive, with preferences for candidates from regional schools who have solid grades, clerkship experience, and (obviously) an interest in IP work. Office settings are collegial and collaborative, yet work is emphasized more than engaging in social activities. Associates appreciate that partners respect and value them, and that they are invested in their growth and development. Lateral hires, however, feel a bit lost as they transition into the firm. Formal training has limited utility, but associates receive a lot of direct experience under the helpful guidance of assigned and ...
About the Firm
Born of a January 2011 merger between the Atlanta-based Kilpatrick Stockton and the Bay Area’s Townsend and Townsend and Crew, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s 600-plus attorneys have spread out from coast to coast and jumped to several continents. The firm is particularly strong in intellectual property litigation, infrastructure, business law, and financial dealings.
Atlanta to the (Peach) Pit
In 1874, Milton Candler and William Thomson founded an Atlanta practice that eventually evolved into Kilpatrick Stockton. Kilpatrick was the first outside law firm retained by the Coca-Cola Company, one of Atlanta’s largest businesses, securing the company’s federal trademark back in 1893. With most of its offices located in the south, the firm also boasted a roster of clients including...
2024 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “People are very collegial, yet typically relaxed around one another. There is a sense that everybody has each other's backs and collaboration is highly emphasized. IP attorneys gather every few years at a retreat for a few days.”
- “The firm is pretty focused on professional work. There are some activities for socializing, but normally during firm hours, with the occasional holiday party or summer activity. Lawyers and staff generally get along well.”
- “Lawyers at the firm individually are generally very pleasant to work with, and often are reasonable with expectations and timelines. However, firm events (outside of summer associate events) generally have low turnout, in favor of devoting that time towards billable work.”
Why Work Here
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Global Issues Require Global Reach
You’re not looking for “just a job.” You’re looking for a career where you can make a real difference. At Kilpatrick Townsend, we use our knowledge, talents and passion to advocate for our clients, influence our communities and advance the legal profession worldwide. Our lawyers make an IMPACT beyond the excellent work on behalf of our clients, through community leadership, diversity & inclusion, pro bono work, sustainability initiatives and volunteer opportunities. Do your values align with ours? Learn how you can make an IMPACT and align your passion.
Diversity at Kilpatrick Townsend
Getting Hired Here
- “Our firm is looking for persons actually interested in trademark and copyright. For summer associates specifically, we interview many who aren't exactly sure what they want to do. We look closely at law schools and grades, but diversity is another very large consideration. Because we are an Atlanta-based firm, a variety of southern law schools feed to our firm (Georgia, Emory, Vanderbilt).”
- “The firm offers extremely competitive salaries considering its relation to other big firms, and that's a big incentive to attract candidates. My team specifically seems to always hire former clerks. The firm hires from a wide swath of schools—a lot of Emory and UGA because of its location in Atlanta.”
- “Although I don't know how competitive the hiring process was, the process itself was quite extensive. In addition to the regular on-campus interviews, the second round consisted of a two-day interview process. On the first day, we had opportunities to socialize with attorneys and staff, while the second day was a more traditional interview with multiple rounds.”
Perks & Benefits
