Overview
Introduction
Lowenstein Sandler is a full-service law firm, with over 300 attorneys in nearly 50 practice areas. Founded in New Jersey, the firm now has five offices across the U.S. Associates report challenging but satisfying work, and they are overwhelmingly pleased with various aspects of working here, from the culture to the work-life balance. Of particular note is the firm’s real commitment to pro bono work, which associates report is genuine.
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
Lowenstein Sandler seeks candidates who are committed to their community and demonstrate interest in a long-term career at the firm. Associates indicate satisfaction with the firm’s culture, reporting that the firm manages to facilitate significant connections and collegiality, even in a COVID world. They also report that partners treat associates with respect, although they do feel there could be more transparency from the top in certain areas—namely, the promotion process. While acknowledging that their lives are not free from stress, associates do report feeling satisfied with their work-life balance, and they appreciate the firm’s credit for pro bono and other non-client work that goes toward their performance targets. Most associates agree that they have a strong career outlo...
About the Firm
With more than 300 attorneys, Lowenstein Sandler is a full-service firm with five domestic offices. The firm boasts dozens of practices and is particularly well known for its work with investment funds and in the life sciences and technology areas.
East Coast Roots
Lowenstein Sandler was founded in Newark, New Jersey, in 1961 by five lawyers, including prominent New Jersey attorney Alan V. Lowenstein. Today, the firm is one of the biggest in New Jersey, with more than 180 lawyers located in the Garden State. In fact, the firm is among the top 30 in Vault’s Mid-Atlantic ranking. The firm’s New York office is just as robust with a similar headcount, and these two East Coast locations house more than 85 percent of the firm’s attorneys. But the firm’s other three offices in California, DC,...
Associate Reviews
- “Since I'm virtual, I don't have much of a grasp of the firm culture as yet. However, from the virtual time I've had at the firm, the firm makes a strong effort to socialize through events that occur in affinity groups such as the Women's Initiative Network, and events that occur in each practice group. The atmosphere is collegial and welcoming.”
- “I started at Lowenstein during the pandemic, which has presented its own challenges; however, that said, the firm has arranged for weekly ‘pod’ meetings to catch up with our practice groups concerning the matters that we are working on. There have also been a good number of social events every week, which have ranged from wine tastings (bottles and snacks shipped to our homes) to informal lunch meetings of three to four attorneys from different practice groups. Working from home, I've also had calls from partners and associates who just want to check in with me and see how things are going.”
- “The culture and atmosphere are outstanding. Everyone I have worked with, including office managing partners and practice group leaders, are surprisingly down-to-earth, people are friendly, and lawyers interact with the staff as equals.”
- “There are numerous Zoom opportunities due to COVID. Under normal circumstances there are many opportunities to socialize and the day-to-day atmosphere is very pleasant. I am very close to my assistant and the supporting staff.”
Why Work Here
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
The firm’s practices areas include investment management, M&A, venture capital, bankruptcy, litigation, and insurance recovery. Lowenstein dedicates thousands of pro bono hours annually to matters concerning civil rights, criminal justice, housing, and immigration. Its leadership is committed to employees’ personal development, support, and mentorship and to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
Diversity at Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “We recruit a diverse range of candidates across our offices and practice groups. Grades and law school are important, and journal is always a plus for litigators, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The NJ office frequently hires from Rutgers and Seton Hall, and in New York, we tend to hire from Brooklyn, Fordham, and Cardozo, although we recruit nationwide, including from T14 schools like Penn, UVA, Columbia, NYU, and elsewhere. We have a diversity program where we hire students after their first year and provide them with a scholarship as well. And we have a training program for those of us conducting interviews to try to standardize the process as much as possible.”
- “The incoming class is relatively small at Lowenstein, and I think a lot of emphasis is placed on making sure candidates are eager and capable of doing the work required of associates. While law school rankings and top grades may be an indication of one's competency, I believe that Lowenstein tries to take a deeper look and individually assess each candidate. ...”
- “The firm looks for attorneys who have an interest in not only doing good, interesting work at a law firm, but also participating in the legal community by publishing articles, doing pro bono work, and attending firm social and cultural events. Good academics at any law school are welcomed, but the firm understands that young attorneys can leverage their work experience or flexibility to learn and grow. Overall, the firm greatly appreciates attorneys looking to set roots and commit long-term to the firm.”
- “The hiring process is straightforward. In my case, I had a phone call with one partner, and then scheduled a video call interview with the other partners. I was hired two weeks later. …”
Perks & Benefits