Overview
Introduction
Nixon Peabody’s history dates to the 1850s in Boston. Since its founding, the firm headcount has grown to more than 600 attorneys working in 15 offices across the United States, Europe, and Asia. In this full-service law firm, attorneys do noteworthy work in Corporate, Real Estate, Government Investigations and White-Collar Defense, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, and several other practices.
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
From its roots in 1850s Boston, Nixon Peabody has grown a large footprint in the legal industry. With this growth has also come a strong commitment to innovation, an example of which is the firm’s pivot away from a traditional summer associate program towards academic-year internships that emphasize hands-on experience in specific practice areas. But this shift has not impacted the firm’s culture—far from it, with associates praising the firm’s dedication to helping attorneys build connections with each other and maintaining a strong work-life balance. Partners are kind and supportive, and while firm management can be opaque in its decision making, associates appreciate the firm’s transparency surrounding performance and expectations. Salary and bonuses are below market, but assoc...
About the Firm
Nixon Peabody is home to about 600 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. The firm’s practices include Corporate, Real Estate, Government Investigations & White-Collar Defense, Healthcare, Intellectual Property, and others.
Forward Looking
Nixon Peabody is one of Boston’s preeminent firms and, accordingly, is ranked as one of Vault’s top 30 firms in Boston. With predecessor firms going back to the 1850s, Nixon Peabody is the result of the 1999 merger of Rochester firm Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP and Boston-based Peabody & Brown. Despite its long history, Nixon Peabody looks to the future by offering forward-thinking solutions for complex legal challenges. In this way, the firm makes positive impacts on its clients, its people, and the communities where the...
Associate Reviews
- “The associates are very friendly, and care about what you're up to outside of the firm. I am routinely encouraged to have a strong work/life balance. When discussing potential time off, I am often asked, ‘Any exciting trips?’ rather than pressing me on workload, hours, or coverage. In my day-to-day interactions with other associates and staff in our group, I feel comfortable asking quick questions here and there to better complete my assignments. There is no hesitation around asking for help or further clarification.”
- “I can't speak for other offices, but our office has done a great job of organizing regular connection events (like breakfasts, Friday happy hour, etc.) since our return to office to help bring people together, and make the office feel more alive.”
- “Attorneys in my office and, by and large, practice group, are a pleasure to work with. Ready to share credit, self-effacing, and fun—but also very serious about their work. Informal gatherings are less common post-pandemic, but we still have regular office lunches and occasional one-day retreats. Relations with staff are excellent. They are part of our team and have our backs, so we respect and value them.”
- “Having worked at several BigLaw shops that claim to have a positive and affirming culture, I have found Nixon Peabody to stand out as truly a place where your partners and fellow associates care about your health, well-being, and development as a person and lawyer.”
Why Work Here
You’re entering the legal profession at a time of tremendous change. At Nixon Peabody, we’re focused on the future.
By tapping the collective intelligence and diverse perspectives of our attorneys and staff, we create innovative solutions and winning strategies, make valuable connections, and anticipate challenges and emerging opportunities for clients. We’re driven by a forward-thinking culture that follows key trends, and we help shape evolving legislation affecting our clients’ industries.
Diversity at Nixon Peabody LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm seems to have moved away from summer associate programs, and is instead using academic-year internships. I think we mostly look for people who are more motivated by doing a great job (as opposed to financial gain), and who are genuinely interested in the subject matter. The internship has also allowed us to figure out who can actually perform good work.”
- “I think the firm is always looking for candidates with strong research and writing skills, and there has been an increasing emphasis on the ‘go-getters’ who can bring in business. There is encouragement for associates at all levels, including first years, to start thinking about practice development and bringing in new clients, which was an adjustment for me based on my previous work experiences. I don't think the firm has set requirements for law school attended, grades, or journal experience, although candidates from top schools or with top grades/clerkship experience are preferred.”
- “In my limited experience with hiring, the most important factors appear to be law school attended and prior work experience.”
Perks & Benefits