Founded in 1946 on principles of collegiality, collaboration, individuality and legal excellence, Cleary Gottlieb strives to embody these principles while cultivating the best legal talent in the industry and exceeding the often complex and demanding needs of our global clients. We operate a single, integrated worldwide firm, with 12 offices in eight different countries.
To do this, we rely on our lawyers at all levels of seniority working in teams to collectively create the best client work product. From the beginning our summer associates are part of a collaborative endeavor, and are expected to solve problems—not just take directions. New associates are given substantive assignments and a high level of responsibility right away, and work with our more experienced lawyers on teams.
How can we do that? The answer is as simple as it is unusual—by creating a culture in which lawyers are rewarded just as much for helping their colleagues as for helping themselves. When you need questions answered, you’ll find partners and other associates ready to answer them, whether or not they’re working on your project.
This collegiality is a cornerstone of our culture at Cleary Gottlieb. It guides everything from whom we hire to the “lock-step” system on which we compensate ourselves. Cleary Gottlieb lawyers, not only on the associate level, but also at the partner and counsel level, are compensated based solely on seniority. Hours billed and amount of business generated have no effect on any Cleary Gottlieb lawyer’s compensation.
Our reasoning is not complicated. The best work product results from talented people working in a common enterprise, sharing their knowledge, time and experience with others. Collaboration, not competition, is the way we practice at Cleary Gottlieb.