Overview
Introduction
Leading the charge in compensation, Milbank is among the most elite law firms for corporate law. The firm prioritizes mentoring and training, including its highly regarded Milbank@Harvard program. Hardworking-yet-easygoing candidates will fit well within the firm’s friendly culture.
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
Milbank sets the bar, not only for associate salary scale, but also in work quality and pro bono work. Hiring efforts focus on students from top law schools with top grades and emphasize overall fit. Friendly settings, open-door policies, and vibrant interactions contribute to a strong sense of community. Given the low partner-to-associate ratio, attorneys work closely together, and partners treat associates well. Associates would appreciate greater transparency around promotion prospects but appreciate the annual “State of the Firm” address that provides insight into firm performance and finances. Trainings, including Milbank@Harvard and CLEs, are impactful and plentiful, and hands-on work under partner supervision bolsters associate development. Laterals feel appropriately onboa...
About the Firm
Milbank LLP is one of the nation’s leading firms for corporate finance and restructuring, litigation, and project finance, and it is known for its international work and focus on the energy sector.
Embracing Change
Milbank planted its roots on Wall Street more than 150 years ago as Anderson, Adams & Young. The firm’s first clients included American entrepreneurs, bankers, and railroad financiers, including the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. The firm weathered two World Wars, the Great Depression, and a long string of mergers before becoming Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in 1962. Today, the firm has 12 offices across the globe—including its digs in Hudson Yards and London. The firm was rebranded in 2019, shedding the “Tweed, Hadley & McCloy” moniker to becom...
Associate Reviews
- “Milbank is extremely collegial. Associates are frequently in contact with lawyers in other practice areas and offices. The Milbank@Harvard training program, in particular, is extremely important in fostering the strongly felt sense of community and collaboration at Milbank.”
- “People are genuine friends at the firm, and because we adhere to the in-office policy, we actually interact in person and get to know each other well as a result. People are generally very friendly, and I feel a sense of belonging here.”
- “The culture at Milbank is very pleasant for BigLaw. Lawyers socialize together frequently, both organically and at firm-sponsored events. The day-to-day atmosphere is collegial. Lawyers and staff interact often and have great professional relationships.”
- “The office is very friendly. Most people make an effort to attend events, which are pretty fun! I feel welcome to stop by others' offices to say hello. Our weekly officewide lunch is also informative and seems to build cohesion across the office.”
Why Work Here
At Milbank, our attorneys collaborate across globally impactful practices like project, energy & infrastructure, M&A, capital markets, fintech, private equity & more. With a longstanding commitment to pro bono work, renowned professional development opportunities and mentoring programs, an inclusive and collegial culture, and established affinity groups, we pride ourselves on the work we do and the values we keep. The firm has practice groups in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, DC to help the world’s leading businesses, institutions and individuals achieve their strategic objectives.
Learn more about our practices, our career development programs like Milbank@Harvard, how we serve our communities, and who we are.
Diversity at Milbank
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm looks for people who are down-to-earth and friendly people who also take their work seriously. The firm takes a holistic approach but does seem to mostly hire from T20 law schools and above. The firm provides extensive training to those who interview candidates along with guidelines to follow.”
- “The firm definitely hires from T14 law schools, but also a significant number of associates in my class are from other New York-based schools and others.”
- “Looking for accomplished, intellectually curious team players. Value social skills. Feeders include NYU, Fordham, George Washington, and the upper T14 (9-15) generally.”
- “I believe Milbank places a lot of emphasis on top 14 schools and grades. Our LA office is very diverse at the junior level, so I feel that the office is working on recruiting more diverse candidates. We seem to hire a lot of people from Georgetown Law and UCLA Law. Every practice group has a one-hour training session for associates before recruiting season.”
Perks & Benefits