King & Spalding
Content
LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
1. 800. 973.1177
King & Spalding
[Joann Chang] An overall leader in matters of litigation and corporate affairs, King & Spalding proves that it is possible for a polite Southern firm to compete with the corporate giants of New York and Chicago.
King & Spalding As Atlanta’s largest firm and, arguably, its most prestigious, King & Spalding serves its heavyweight litigation clients with some old-fashioned Southern charm. The 118 year-old firm has developed an impressive number of relationships with many Fortune 500 companies over the years, including Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines. Although the traditional firm has only ventured outside of Atlanta four times, building offices in D.C., New York, Houston, and London, the firm still manages to bring in close to $400 million worth of business annually. King & Spalding’s growth strategy of poaching star attorneys from other firms for their branch offices seems to have paid off, allowing the firm to establish an international presence in record time. With over half of the Fortune 100 companies on its clientele list and a reputation for exceptional litigation work, King & Spalding has managed to keep up an active corporate practice despite the ailing economy. Their recent cases include representing Purdue Pharma L.P. in a congressional investigation regarding controversial painkiller OxyContin®. Investment banks and banking institutions also turn to King & Spalding for outside legal counsel, as shown by frequent clients Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. The firm’s propensity for turning out quality corporate work was recently recognized by Corpo-
any other firm. Associates report a friendly and polite environment, but they also note the existence of cliques and the boredom of following a formal dress code. And while the firm does make an effort for office unity by flying out attorneys to its annual firm-wide holiday party in Atlanta, Southern formalities and the large number of attorneys at each office have not contributed to its overall collegial atmosphere. The firm may also want to consider increasing the informal interactions between partners and associates, as some associates report a lack of camaraderie between different attorney levels. King & Spalding’s Southern roots have made the firm more open to recruiting from outside the traditional top law schools, especially favoring local law schools. K & S’s hiring process is not as competitive as its Northeastern counterparts and recruiters are receptive to top graduates of most law schools. However, exceptional grades will not replace a lack of honesty and manners at this genteel firm; candidates who let their egos overshadow their abilities will not get far in the interview process. Similarly, in order to make it to partner level at King & Spalding, attorneys are expected to fit in with the courteous atmosphere of the firm as well as to put in excellent work. Partnerships at King & Spalding do not come easily, and associates complain about the unclear and unrealistic nature of the process. Once inside King & Spalding, the firm forgoes the popular sink-or-swim training method, and provides one of the best programs for new and continued attorney education. The
program, named “K & S University,” includes on-line courses and a full courtroom for trial practice. New attorneys enter the training program every September for an introduction to the firm as well as to gain insight into the legal profession. Other programs, such as accounting and attorney-client privilege, are held throughout the year for all K & S attorneys. Falling in between a corporate New York City firm and a laid-back Southern one, King & Spalding lags when it comes to associate salaries. While the cost of living is arguably lower in Atlanta, associates appear to be unfairly discounted for their New York City quality of work. Mid-level associates at the Atlanta office report making equivalent salaries to first-years of large New York firms. Although the firm does try to supplement with an endless supply of Coca-Cola beverages as well as a free laptop, attorneys would almost certainly prefer that the firm’s generosity be diverted to their compensation levels. Jobs King & Spalding currently has several openings in all of its offices, including opportunities for litigation, tax, real estate, and corporate associates. More information regarding attorney positions at King & Spalding can be found in the LawCrossing job database.
rate Counsel magazine, who ranked King & Spalding as the 12th most frequently chosen law firms for outside counsel.
Southern customs and corporate work make King & Spalding’s office atmosphere unlike
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1. 800. 973.1177
King & Spalding
[Joann Chang] An overall leader in matters of litigation and corporate affairs, King & Spalding proves that it is possible for a polite Southern firm to compete with the corporate giants of New York and Chicago.
King & Spalding As Atlanta’s largest firm and, arguably, its most prestigious, King & Spalding serves its heavyweight litigation clients with some old-fashioned Southern charm. The 118 year-old firm has developed an impressive number of relationships with many Fortune 500 companies over the years, including Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines. Although the traditional firm has only ventured outside of Atlanta four times, building offices in D.C., New York, Houston, and London, the firm still manages to bring in close to $400 million worth of business annually. King & Spalding’s growth strategy of poaching star attorneys from other firms for their branch offices seems to have paid off, allowing the firm to establish an international presence in record time. With over half of the Fortune 100 companies on its clientele list and a reputation for exceptional litigation work, King & Spalding has managed to keep up an active corporate practice despite the ailing economy. Their recent cases include representing Purdue Pharma L.P. in a congressional investigation regarding controversial painkiller OxyContin®. Investment banks and banking institutions also turn to King & Spalding for outside legal counsel, as shown by frequent clients Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. The firm’s propensity for turning out quality corporate work was recently recognized by Corpo-
any other firm. Associates report a friendly and polite environment, but they also note the existence of cliques and the boredom of following a formal dress code. And while the firm does make an effort for office unity by flying out attorneys to its annual firm-wide holiday party in Atlanta, Southern formalities and the large number of attorneys at each office have not contributed to its overall collegial atmosphere. The firm may also want to consider increasing the informal interactions between partners and associates, as some associates report a lack of camaraderie between different attorney levels. King & Spalding’s Southern roots have made the firm more open to recruiting from outside the traditional top law schools, especially favoring local law schools. K & S’s hiring process is not as competitive as its Northeastern counterparts and recruiters are receptive to top graduates of most law schools. However, exceptional grades will not replace a lack of honesty and manners at this genteel firm; candidates who let their egos overshadow their abilities will not get far in the interview process. Similarly, in order to make it to partner level at King & Spalding, attorneys are expected to fit in with the courteous atmosphere of the firm as well as to put in excellent work. Partnerships at King & Spalding do not come easily, and associates complain about the unclear and unrealistic nature of the process. Once inside King & Spalding, the firm forgoes the popular sink-or-swim training method, and provides one of the best programs for new and continued attorney education. The
program, named “K & S University,” includes on-line courses and a full courtroom for trial practice. New attorneys enter the training program every September for an introduction to the firm as well as to gain insight into the legal profession. Other programs, such as accounting and attorney-client privilege, are held throughout the year for all K & S attorneys. Falling in between a corporate New York City firm and a laid-back Southern one, King & Spalding lags when it comes to associate salaries. While the cost of living is arguably lower in Atlanta, associates appear to be unfairly discounted for their New York City quality of work. Mid-level associates at the Atlanta office report making equivalent salaries to first-years of large New York firms. Although the firm does try to supplement with an endless supply of Coca-Cola beverages as well as a free laptop, attorneys would almost certainly prefer that the firm’s generosity be diverted to their compensation levels. Jobs King & Spalding currently has several openings in all of its offices, including opportunities for litigation, tax, real estate, and corporate associates. More information regarding attorney positions at King & Spalding can be found in the LawCrossing job database.
rate Counsel magazine, who ranked King & Spalding as the 12th most frequently chosen law firms for outside counsel.
Southern customs and corporate work make King & Spalding’s office atmosphere unlike
PAGE 1
