Overview
Introduction
One of the most elite corporate law firms, Simpson Thacher is a dream firm for anyone pursuing a career in corporate law. The firm boasts a supportive environment that highly values professional development—as indicated by its robust training program, STB Ready, and mentoring, which is fostered by those at the top.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Whether you want an exceptional work environment with supportive partners or do not want a billable hour requirement, look no further than Simpson Thacher. Typical recruits academically excel at T14 or top local schools. Successful candidates are personable and thus mesh well with their kind, cordial, courteous, and collaborative coworkers. People at Simpson like each other. Partners embrace accessibility and open-door policies, and they value interactions with associates and encourage the exchange of ideas. Partners are great teachers and mentors, too. This investment by partners combined with the STBReady program and other vibrant training resources makes associates feel well-prepared to be top-notch attorneys. Challenging, level-appropriate work assignments are the norm, and as...
About the Firm
A Wall Street institution, Simpson Thacher houses elite teams in M&A, banking, capital markets, private equity, and litigation. With more than 1,000 lawyers across 11 global offices, Simpson Thacher has long held its spot among the top law firms in the world.
Hear Them Roar
In 1884, three Columbia Law grads—John Woodruff Simpson, Thomas Thacher, and William Milo Barnum—hung a shingle in lower Manhattan. It didn’t take them long to leave their mark in the history books, jumping right into the railroad reorganizations of the 1880s and having a hand in some of the most important deals relating to U.S. infrastructure; for example, advising General Electric as it set up power and light companies, the American Locomotive Company during its establishment, and the American Gas and Elec...
Associate Reviews
- “Our firm is social with a number of organized and spontaneous socials, especially amongst the associates. There is an open-door culture, and partners are generally available for questions and discussions. Everyone is professional, polite, and courteous.”
- “Our office is very social and friendly. The partners are introverted but relatively approachable and warm up quickly. My seniors seem interested in developing me as an attorney and try to be cognizant of their tone/impact on me when they speak. We have frequent well-attended firm-sponsored events and also have organic, spontaneous get-togethers. We all usually have lunch together.”
- “It is quite a scattered place. Most people here truly value being kind and helpful to each other. Often, there are friendships outside of work. Often, there are little cliques that people fall into, and you are close inside those bubbles.”
- “The atmosphere in our office was one of the primary drivers for me selecting my current firm as a lateral. Attorneys are social, genuinely like each other (across practice groups), and are cordial. Lawyers and staff have good/casual relationships, and I feel like I can go to most people for most questions/requests.”
Why Work Here
Diversity at Simpson Thacher
Getting Hired Here
- “Focus on T14 generally but focus on quality regional schools for particular offices.”
- “The firm is looking for high-achieving candidates who are friendly and eager to participate. Grades are important, as are interpersonal skills and a positive outlook. Although the firm hires many associates outside of the T14, the firm generally looks to the T14 for their associate class.”
- “I think we do a great job of focusing on the whole candidate rather than purely numbers-based recruiting. The top schools nationally and then the top local schools are the usual places where people are hired from.”
- “Hires at STB tend to be high-performing from both the top-tier schools but also very good schools regional to the particular STB office location. Personality and ‘fit’ are also important. STB does train interviewers and provides guidelines.”
Perks & Benefits