Opportunities for Laterals

Getting Started

Orrick develops its talent in two core ways — by hiring the best and the brightest right from law school and by strategically growing our teams with the addition of more seasoned associates and partners. Lawyers joining Orrick after working at another firm, in judicial clerkships, public service or within corporate organizations find a welcoming and supportive environment. Currently, more than 70 percent of our lawyers in Orrick's 18 offces are lateral hires.

We know the magnitude of making a career change, whether it is changing firms or joining one from another area of the legal profession. It is an important decision for you and for our firm. We do our best to ensure that the fit for both will make sense over the long-term. Because once you join, we want you to stay and build your career here.

We demand the same high standards of potential lateral hires as we do from lawyers who join us right from law school. We pride ourselves on a collegial culture that puts excellence and integrity at the center of every interaction. As we look to build our bench in core practice areas or to deepen our knowledge in a given area of the law, we evaluate candidates based on a combination of intellectual rigor, client service track record and personal dynamics. Strong academic credentials are required and preference is given to candidates with major law firm experience. Some areas we explore include:

• What makes you unique — your perspective, your energy, your drive, your client results?
• How have you contributed in leadership roles beyond your client practice?
• How are you regarded by your colleagues, clients, staff and community?
• How do you interact with others?
• What type of enthusiasm and respect do you bring to your work, clients and client teams?
• What resonating value can you contribute to Orrick and the people who work here?

As you consider your career options, understanding the culture of the firm is a critical part of determining if the fit is right. As a firm, we invest heavily in ensuring that our workplace environment is inviting and allows each member of our team to truly thrive. We do not consider "firm culture" as a program du jour — it is part of our DNA. We work on it daily with a focus on fostering professional relationships that are rooted in personal respect and provide every individual at Orrick, regardless of title or tenure, with the ability to contribute.

Our core values are the cornerstone of the way we work with clients and amongst ourselves. These values are reflected in the way we interact with each other, with clients and within our communities.

• Excellence and Integrity
• Cooperation and Individual Respect
• Enthusiasm and Pursuit of Improvement

Thrive

For laterals — and all Orrick lawyers — we provide comprehensive training programs designed to help lawyers strengthen their skills and deepen their client relationships. Delivered through Orrick University and other training programs, these offerings include:

• Midlevel associate training, which includes a two-day training and development program for fourth-year associates hosted in San Francisco. Among the presentation topics are client development skills, running deals and cases, and the path to partnership.
• More than one thousand accredited online CLE courses through the WestLegalEdCenter, a subsidiary of Westlaw that is accessible through the firm's intranet.
• Extensive litigation training, including deposition and motion practice, and corporate training, including more than 40 sessions on issues ranging from due diligence to specific deal orchestration, are the standard for firm associates.

Focus

In addition, Orrick practice groups regularly hold monthly lunches that serve as both training sessions and introductions to our other practice areas.