Overview
Introduction
One of the most prestigious law firms, Sullivan & Cromwell adopts a generalist approach, allowing lawyers to work across industries and subgroups. Sullivan & Cromwell boasts an army of over 900 attorneys across eight countries. The firm prides itself on mentoring and career advising, as well as providing associates with a positive environment to work on cutting-edge legal matters with talented colleagues.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2025)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2025)
No. of Summer Associates (2025)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Sullivan & Cromwell hires the best of the best, emphasizing top grades and top schools in its recruiting process. Interview questions focus on identifying candidates’ professional and intellectual interests. Two words that the firm’s attorneys repeatedly use to characterize its culture are “respectful” and “collegial.” Associates say that they frequently socialize together, attending firm-sponsored events and taking time to connect in the cafeteria and coffee bar, but there’s no pressure to participate. Associates also say that the firm’s partners strive to show appreciation for their work and recognize that the firm’s future lies in developing the associates it recruits directly from law school rather than lateral hires. As a result, associates are trusted to execute mean...
About the Firm
A BigLaw powerhouse, Sullivan & Cromwell has created a blueprint for legal success: It has grown internationally and in response to the increasing cross-border M&A, restructuring, and finance transactional demands of the biggest corporate clients in the world.
Kind of a Big Deal
S&C has consistently steered the development of many of the world’s corporate titans for more than 130 years. The firm founders, Algernon Sydney Sullivan and William Nelson Cromwell, advised J.P. Morgan—as in the man himself—during the creation of Edison General Electric in 1882 and later guided key players in the formation of U.S. Steel and the financing of the Panama Canal. These lucrative foreign ventures enabled the firm to be one of the first to expand internationally.
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Associate Reviews
- “There can be as much or as little social interaction as you want. I have made some lifelong friends here, and other folks do not socialize as much and seem perfectly content.”
- “The firm offers social opportunities, such as internal parties almost every Thursday. Lawyers also engage organically outside of work. But no one judges anyone else for their choice to engage or not. I love the friends I've made at the firm, and I'm very happy that I chose to come here.”
Why Work Here
Listen to our conversation with the managing partner of our Litigation Group, Sharon Nelles. Milana Hogan, Chief Legal Talent Officer, interviews Sharon about why she chose S&C, the Firm's approach to associate development and mentoring, her role as head of the Litigation Group, and her advice for students as they navigate their way through the recruiting process.
Culture & Inclusion at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
"S&C has a long and proud history as a diversity leader and innovator in the legal community. In seeking to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, we put at the forefront maintaining an environment where each individual is valued for their unique perspective and insight. Our longstanding Diversity Committee has the mandate of continually improving the effectiveness of Firm programs to attract, mentor, retain and assist in the advancement of our diverse and women lawyers. The Diversity Committee is comprised of lawyers..."
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm is notoriously grade-sensitive and values learning, thoughtfulness, and willingness to try to expose yourself to different areas of the law, which is central to its generalist model. The firm tends to hire top candidates from top law schools, invests in them, and retains them over time. Because of this, the firm hires carefully, and value is placed on fit. The firm does most of their hiring in law school but will hire laterals out of clerkships.”
- “I think having good grades f...
Perks & Benefits