Why Paul, Weiss?
Associates at Paul, Weiss work on transformational matters and learn from the best. Here, seven associates discuss what drew them to the firm; their work on complex, cutting-edge matters; and the firm’s commitment to associate development.
Ashlyne Polynice, Corporate Associate
At Paul, Weiss, we work with the largest and most well-known, industry-leading clients in the world, who come to us for high-level, sophisticated advice. I knew that I wanted to work at a firm where I would be problem solving every day and helping clients with their most complex issues. My experience at Paul, Weiss has been exactly that; I work alongside some of the most senior and respected lawyers in the firm on interesting, cutting-edge matters and am learning how to take ownership of my projects and deliver the very best in client service.
Paul, Weiss is a place where people can bring their whole selves to work every day, which I greatly value. The firm is incredibly dedicated to inclusion and takes tangible steps to make every person feel engaged through the firm’s affinity groups, Colleague Connect Circles and mentorship programs. I’ve received invaluable mentoring from senior lawyers at the firm, who have helped me identify growth opportunities and navigate associate life.
Muamera Hadzic, Litigation Associate
I wanted to join a firm where I would quickly gain exposure to substantive, high-quality work, and Paul, Weiss has provided that in spades. I have become an integral part of my case teams, taking the lead on drafting briefs, meeting with clients and contributing to important discussions. Recently, I worked on a U.S. Supreme Court case and was deeply involved in all aspects of the process. I wrote portions of the briefs, performed novel research, actively participated in oral argument preparation, gave feedback on moots and engaged in strategy sessions. It was invaluable to work alongside the senior lawyers and observe how they distilled our arguments and shaped our approach.
I was drawn to Paul, Weiss because of how excited the lawyers were about their work, which I have seen firsthand, especially through my work on the Supreme Court matter. Lawyers at the firm really love what they do, which makes working here even more fulfilling. If you want to learn how to litigate, there is no better firm than Paul, Weiss.
Dan Kang, Corporate Associate
The Paul, Weiss Corporate Department has a rotation system for junior associates, so you can gain a breadth of experience early on. I’ve worked on a wide variety of deals, including on transactions from the sell side and the buy side, and my work has spanned a range of industries—from tech and entertainment to industrials and infrastructure. You can’t get this type of high-caliber, diverse work experience anywhere else.
I have been pleasantly surprised with how turbo-charged the development is here. The firm offers regular training and is always thinking of new, useful professional development programs. There is also a strong culture of informal mentoring, which has been critical to my professional growth. Lawyers at the firm are very willing to help and to offer associates chances to take on more responsibility, regardless of seniority.
Grace Hotz, Restructuring Associate
The summer associate program at Paul, Weiss offers a valuable glimpse into life at the firm, and because summers can try assignments from different departments, they have a lot of autonomy to explore different practices. When I was a summer, the lawyers took time to explain their practices and invited me to shadow them at court hearings and client meetings, which gave me a sense of what I’d actually be doing as a lawyer. My experience as a summer led me to restructuring, which has been a great fit for my career.
In the Restructuring Department, we often work on matters that involve collaborating with other departments across the firm. I find this particularly rewarding because I’m able to learn a lot about different practices and build relationships with lawyers throughout the firm. Also, a significant portion of the day is spent responding directly to clients, so as an associate, you have regular client contact.
Matthew Disler, Litigation Associate
Partners at Paul, Weiss are deeply invested in associate growth, offer associates the chance to take on high-level work and provide regular mentorship. Among my favorite experiences at the firm so far has been my work on several investigations and cybersecurity matters. The partners on those matters have actively included me throughout all phases, from research and strategy decisions to meetings with clients and regulators, frequently asking for my input or offering chances to shadow them. I’ve had opportunities to handle witness interviews, draft responses to regulatory requests and second-chair depositions. These experiences have been crucial to my growth as a lawyer.
I also really appreciate the firm’s collegial atmosphere. There is a lot of camaraderie in the office, and I have developed strong relationships with many lawyers across the firm’s offices. People at Paul, Weiss genuinely enjoy working together.
Jenny Wang, Corporate Associate
It is a really exciting time to work in the Corporate Department at Paul, Weiss. There is no better place to be an M&A associate; we have the industry’s leading private and public M&A practices, so there is a lot of opportunity to learn about both areas from the best lawyers in the industry. I’m working on novel, complicated matters, all of which are real exercises of logical and creative thinking, which is why I love M&A. Working at a place where people are really smart and exceptional at what they do makes you feel more motivated and connected.
People at the firm are extremely invested in associates’ growth and career development; they want you to succeed and give you tremendous latitude and support. I have found the firm’s coaching program to be particularly useful in plotting out my personal career goals and also for developing effective managerial skills.
Jacob Humerick, Litigation Associate
As a litigator at Paul, Weiss, I have gained experience in myriad areas, from securities litigation to contract disputes to white collar investigations and more. Having this broad exposure has given me a deeper understanding of various areas of law and has prepared me to handle all types of challenges moving forward. One particularly valuable experience was working on an investigation for a professional sports league, which required extensive fact-finding to understand the business and potential issues. Even as a junior associate, I was an integral member of the interview and strategy processes, which really helped me hone my skills.
I’ve also gained significant stand-up experience and opportunities for client relationship-building via my pro bono work, which have been invaluable for my overall development as a litigator. Through my asylum matters, I’ve been able to secure work authorization for a client, meet with asylum officers and advocate for my clients in interviews and immigration hearings. It’s incredible to see the impact this work has on another person’s life. Paul, Weiss’s commitment to pro bono clients really is second to none.