Written by: Roy Strom

I’m going to tell you two stories about two different law firm partners.

Partner A is a grinder. This person eats, sleeps, and breathes billable hours. In fact, they billed more than 40 hours per week in every single week last year. It tallied up to 2,400 hours.

Partner B works differently. The job’s important, but logging hours isn’t exactly this partner’s specialty. They billed about 29 hours a week last year. It totaled 1,500 hours.

Now, here’s a question: When these partners get their paychecks, who is more satisfied?

It turns out that both are just as happy.

That’s according to a long-running survey of partners conducted by recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa. The latest survey, released last week, shows 77% of partners who billed more than 2,400 hours were at least “slightly satisfied” with their compensation. Among partners who billed fewer than 1,500 hours, 74% reported being some level of satisfied with their wages.

The responses were virtually similar across all levels of billable hours. The survey included responses from more than 1,700 partners.

It’s easy to assume that is because partners who bill more hours earn vastly more than their lower-billing peers. But that’s not necessarily the case.

Higher compensation is most closely linked with higher origination (bringing in work) and higher billable rates (the cost to clients), the survey found.

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Madeleine (Maddie) Jenkins

Attorney Recruiting and Development Assistant

Akin

This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Maddie Jenkins, an Attorney Recruiting and Development Assistant at Akin.  Read more to learn about how WALRAA has helped in her career, her professional goals, and how she maintains a healthy work/life balance.

How long have you been a member of WALRAA?  What has been your favorite experience so far? 
I have been a member of WALRAA for a year now.  As this is my first role in the legal recruiting industry, I am grateful to be a member of WALRAA and learn from distinguished professionals.  My favorite experience thus far was the November Monthly Meeting we hosted at my firm Akin.  As a new member, I felt a new personal connection to WALRAA by way of prepping for the meeting and inviting all of the members into the office I go into every week.  We so often use the conference room spaces for attorneys, but it was a nice change of pace to host an event just for us.  If you would like to host a future WALRAA meeting at your firm, please contact me or another member of the Programming Committee.

How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
As someone who is new to this industry and tends to be more introverted, WALRAA has helped me grow my network beyond my own belief.  Solely within the past year, I have developed professional relationships that I truly value on both the attorney recruiting and law school side.  This organization allows me to learn from and engage with experts in their field every month.  I am grateful for the opportunities WALRAA offers me and look forward to getting more involved throughout my career.

How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting? 
Truth be told, I had no plans to work in Attorney Recruiting following my college graduation.  I knew I wanted to go into recruiting and when I started applying to roles in various industries, I gained the most traction with law firms.  Throughout my interview process, I realized how well my skills and interests aligned with this industry, and I thoroughly enjoyed the people I met along the way.

What is your favorite moment of your career so far? 
In the WALRAA September Monthly Meeting, I had the opportunity to face my public speaking fears head-on and moderate a panel on this past year’s recruiting season.  Moderating forced me to focus on the discussion rather than my own fears.  I realized that the audience was there to learn and connect, not to judge.  This shift in mindset made it easier to stay present and enjoy the experience.  I am grateful for Kyra Adams for encouraging me to moderate, and I hope to participate in future WALRAA events. 

What is it that challenges you most in your job?
I find the specialized knowledge required in this industry to be the most challenging.  Understanding the legal field and the firm specifics can be complex, yet it’s crucial to stay updated on various practice areas, trends, and market demands.  I am consistently working towards building my expertise of the legal field in order to earn the trust of both candidates and attorneys.  This credibility is vital for fostering relationships and enhancing the recruiting process.

How do you balance your career and personal life?
I have a great work-life balance in this field which truly enhances both my professional and personal life.  This role often allows for flexible hours, which means I can manage my schedule to fit personal commitments.  Legal recruiting tends to focus on building relationships rather than adhering to strict hours or quotas, allowing me to maintain a healthy boundary between work and personal life.

What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
This year I want to focus on recognizing and celebrating my achievements, no matter how small.  In a team setting, celebrating collective achievements fosters camaraderie and strengthens relationships, creating a positive work environment where everyone feels valued.  I work very hard to ensure my colleagues are celebrated and I often forget about my own successes.  I plan to acknowledge and reflect on my accomplishments, which in turn, will motivate me to set new goals and strive for continuous improvement.

What is the best professional advice you have received?
The professional advice I received to “read every single email” has stuck with me over time.  While it may not always be feasible to respond immediately to every email, making an effort to read and engage with them can significantly enhance your professional relationships and overall effectiveness.

What do you like to do for fun?
In my free time, I love to exercise.  I work part-time at a local Pilates called Fuse Pilates and take class a few times a week.  When I am not attending group fitness classes, I enjoy weightlifting at my gym.  Exercise is a powerful tool for enhancing both your physical and emotional well-being.  To me, exercise serves as a form of mindfulness, allowing me to focus on the present moment and disconnect from life’s stressors.  

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I have a rescue Pitbull named Carly that I absolutely adore!  After being used for puppies, Carly was dumped on a highway in Connecticut and brought to a local animal shelter.  I knew as soon as I walked into the shelter, I had to adopt Carly.  While the shelter was hesitant to let me, a 12-year-old, and my mother, a 5’2 petite woman, adopt a 60-pound Pitbull, we are so glad they did.  Knowing that I have given my dog a second chance at life is incredibly rewarding and she brings me so much joy.

Odalys Fuentes

Manager, Legal Recruitment

Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America

This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Odalys Fuentes! Odalys is a Legal Recruitment Manager with the Columbus School of Law, and this is her first year as part of the WALRAA community.  Read more to learn about her favorite career moment, professional goals, and more! 

How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?

In October, it will be a year since I became a member of WALRAA.  My favorite experience in WALRAA was the Holiday Party last year.  It was an incredible night where I met career centers from different schools and recruiters from various firms.  Everyone was very welcoming, and I remember chatting with members, and they all had different advice to provide me for this new journey or they spoke to me about their path in the legal field.  After speaking to various members, I felt excited to start my career at the law school.

How has WALRAA helped you in your field?

One of the first things I did in my new role was join this incredible organization.  WALRAA has provided me with a lot of knowledge and the opportunity to meet new people in the legal field.  Through WALRAA, I have been able to learn about topics in the legal field and practices to best guide students.

How did you first learn about and get started in Career Services? 

My interest in career services began in undergrad.  I became a student coordinator in our First-Gen program, Take Flight.  There, I connected with my undergraduate career service office to facilitate career programming for first-gen students.  I applied to my current role because I wanted to continue to explore the side of career services, which led me to the captivating side of legal recruitment.

What is your favorite moment of your career so far?

My favorite part of my career has been working with the OCPD team.  They have taught me so much during the months I have been at the Law School.  The excitement and passion for what they do is contagious.  I enjoy working side by side on projects and celebrating each of our accomplishments as a group.  I couldn’t have asked for a better team to start my legal career with.

What is it that challenges you most in your job?

What challenges me the most is time.  There is always something that I am working on or something new that has popped up throughout the day.  To organize my tasks, I started a work journal.  I write in reminders and create a timeline for a project to finish or edit.  So far, it has helped me stay focused and accomplish tasks in a rewarding way.

How do you balance your career and personal life?

Once I leave the office, I try to disconnect from my emails and not look at my laptop.  This has proven extremely helpful.  There are times when I need to check my email on the weekends or need to work on something, but typically, I do my best to create a boundary.

What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?

For this year, I have started working on new programming for our first-year students with my colleague Monica.  It’s a pilot program called Field Trip Fridays and our first destination is to visit the court room of an alumna judge, I am very excited!  Students will have the ability to expand their knowledge in different areas of the law.  I also plan to attend more career and professional development workshops to continue my individual learning.

What is the best professional advice you have received?

You will make mistakes.  It’s not just an opinion or a saying.  It’s definitely a fact.  I have learned in more ways than one that there can be multiple ways to do things.  I have learned not to be too hard on myself.  Mistakes happen but it’s how one responds to them that matters.

What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy reading.  I like connecting with my friends about a book they are reading or telling them about what I am currently reading.  I also like to take long walks.  It’s great exercise, and I get to explore my community.  On one of my many walks, I stumbled upon a bookstore.  Now, I am an official member with a new long list of books to buy and hopefully read soon!

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?

I have presented a mock bill in the New York State Senate Chambers in my high school’s Youth and Government program and my group won “Best Bill.”

     Rachel Janger           Sadie Marsman

                     JD Career Counselor          Associate Recruitment Manager 

      American University,                Hogan Lovells US LLP

         Washington College of Law                                                         

WALRAA is proud to shine a summer spotlight on Rachel Janger and Sadie Marsman!  Read about how WALRAA has played a role in their current law school and law firm positions, rewards and challenges they face, and more.

How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
Rachel: I’m a new member and I’m so excited to become a part of the community!  I’m looking forward to the networking events and meetings.

Sadie: I joined WALRAA in April 2023 when I started my role at Hogan Lovells – my first role in legal recruiting.

How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
Rachel: I’m just getting to know WALRAA, but I’ve already gained insights from the BLAWG postings!

Sadie: WALRAA provides a structured avenue for me to connect with my counterparts at other firms, collaborate with colleagues on the law school side, and to connect with Hogan Lovells alumni around the region.  It’s been great to have WALRAA as a jumping off point in my career transition into the legal field.

How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
Rachel: After 20+ years working as a labor and employment attorney in DC, I decided it was time to make a jump.  I loved working with and mentoring summer associates and junior attorneys at my firm, and realized I could make a meaningful and rewarding career out of that aspect of my job alone.

Sadie: I have always had roles with similar functions, though largely on the higher education side, working in admissions and recruitment for the University of Michigan and Georgetown University for most of my career.  A friend from Michigan admissions is now an attorney at Hogan Lovells, and he thought this role would be a great fit for me.  He was right!

What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
Rachel: It is so rewarding every time a student reaches out to let me know that they got the internship, externship, or job they really wanted.  It is equally rewarding when they return to visit or just check in, and when they offer to help out future students with the knowledge they’ve gained throughout their legal career development journey.

Sadie: I am a people person!  I genuinely enjoy what I call the “people puzzle” aspect of recruitment as we work to find a fit on both sides of an application process.  My favorite moments have been full-circle moments: watching hard-fought recruits graduate from Michigan or Georgetown, and more recently watching my summer associate graduate law school and prepare to return in the fall.

What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Rachel: Students are applying for internships and summer associate positions so early in their law school careers, and feel so much pressure to land the “perfect” position.  The greatest challenge involves letting the students know that there is no “one size fits all” position out there, and they can, and should, take the opportunity to explore the many avenues available to JDs.

Sadie: During some parts of the year, there are just truly not enough minutes in the day.  I am often challenged in trying to get everything done with the intentionality and care I expect of myself *and* leave enough time for the higher level aspects of the job that I love – the relationship-building, the strategy, and proactive communication required to do this work successfully – particularly between May and August.  I enjoy the strategy of recruitment, and some of those elements fall to the wayside when things get crazy during the overlap of the program and recruitment.  I have to challenge myself constantly to ensure I am keeping those aspects of my job top of mind and incorporated into my daily work.

How do you balance your career and personal life?
Rachel: As someone who worked as a litigator at a big law firm and had a young family before there were work from home and hybrid opportunities, I find the law school environment to be particularly conducive to work-life balance.

Sadie: I’m much better at this outside of May-August!  But even through the summer I am sure to set aside my work phone for a few hours at a time in the evening, and certainly for a few hours a day on weekends, to recharge.  I am intentional with my vacations and take them at a time of year when I can truly unplug, which really helps get me through the more intense seasons.

What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
Rachel: I’m excited to become more involved in professional organizations such as WALRAA, and to continue developing professional relationships with my law school and recruiting colleagues.

Sadie: I am keeping contemporaneous notes including my own thoughts, attorney feedback, and aspirational processes and systems to more effectively manage the recruitment process now that we lack the structure of OCI.  My biggest goal this year is to take everything we learn in this season of what we’re calling “controlled chaos” and building something  that works for the Hogan Lovells offices that I management recruitment for.

What is the best professional advice you have received?
Rachel: Always look around corners – the right answer might not be directly in front of you.

What do you like to do for fun?
Rachel: I like to spend time with my family, and I play tennis and mahjong with friends.

Sadie: I spend a lot of time in DC parks with my dog, play volleyball in rec leagues throughout the year, and am a fully committed solidcore person.  Being active outside the office really helps me balance my mind and body.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
Rachel: I’m very well versed in 1980s and 90s song lyrics.

Sadie: I eat pasta nearly every day, and have pretty consistently since I learned to make it on my own.

Brooke Wilson

Senior Manager, Recruiting Outreach

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 

This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Brooke Wilson! Brooke is the Senior Manager for Recruiting Outreach at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. She has been a member since 2014. Read about how WALRAA has helped Brooke in her career, the challenges she faces, and more in her own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I've been a member of WALRAA for roughly 10 years (plus 2 years in NYCRA). I've always enjoyed getting to meet so many wonderful people in the field. Over time I've also been able to build a network for support and growth.

2.     How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
When I was more junior I was lucky enough to have some great WALRAA 1:1 mentors and have people outside of my firm to talk to about my career path. Getting to know people who were more senior than me gave me resources to go to if I needed advice on anything. It's also been great to talk to people who are in other roles outside of recruiting and learn more about what it looks like to take on other functions.

3.     How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
When I was in college, I ran my schools tour guide program and just loved it. After graduating, I knew I wanted a career in recruiting or admissions but wasn't really sure where to look. My mom actually sent me the WALRAA job board where I applied to my first firm - Baker Botts!

4.     What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
It's been really awesome to watch my first few classes of summer and fall associates make partner!

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Probably the changing landscape of the different recruiting "seasons" - although it does make it interesting!

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I carve out time during the week (and add it to my calendar) for things that are important to me. Sometimes that's a 6 pm pilates class and other times its meeting a friend for lunch. On the weekends I prioritize time with my family.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
Making connections at through NALP!

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
That the worst thing someone can say is no. It was always hard for me to speak up and share ideas because I was afraid of rejection but that's part of growth.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
We moved to Old Town Alexandria last year and are enjoying exploring the neighborhood! I love spending time with my husband and step-daughters, and am always up to try whatever the new trendy gym class is.

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I grew up here!

Written by: Ru Bhatt

During my tenure at Major, Lindsey & Africa, I’ve been focused on placing experienced lateral candidates at partner and associate levels at law firms. While partner moves are most often motivated by greater compensation, associate candidates generally seek positions that don’t provide a salary boost.

That approach to job hunting may seem strange, but many candidates I’ve encountered share a misconception that all law firms are the same.

Associates generally move to unlock some other benefit instead of salary—such as a more significant role and responsibility on matters, a shift in client base or industry focus, a better culture, or increased potential to make partner. A defining feature of these lateral moves is that this is usually an “informed decision” after a few years practicing and understanding the industry.

While entry-level (summer associate) hiring isn’t directly in my purview, I spend a lot of time consulting with students at law schools and engaging law firm clients who are eager to share their thoughts about the process.

In the past, there was a frenzied summer associate hiring season, when firms were bound by the National Association for Law Placement guidelines concerning offers and interview periods. This forced firms to evaluate students at schools by taking in the whole package.

Full Article

Written by: Meghan Tribe & Tatyana Monnay

Top law firms are rushing to target new recruits, often before students have finished their first year.

On-campus interviews, long the chief recruiting method for major firms and controlled by law schools and the National Association for Law Placement, now take a back seat to direct hiring by firms who want first crack at talent. The coveted summer associate roles are the most common path to Big Law careers, serving as a tryout for full-time positions after graduation.

“This direct hire process will likely be filling about 50% of our class, at least,” said Nicole Wanzer, director of attorney recruiting at Morrison Foerster. “Were we to wait for traditional OCI and lean only on traditional OCI, we feel like we would be missing out on some of the talent that’s getting picked up earlier in the process.”

The shift has had a snowball effect. Weil Gotshal & Manges has already opened applications for its 2025 summer program, allowing first-year law students to apply directly—a process dubbed “pre-OCI”. Other prominent players such as Jones Day, Milbank LLP, Paul Hastings, and Davis Polk & Wardwell open up their direct applications as early as mid-April for jobs that start the summer after the second year of school is completed. MoFo is launching its own advanced consideration application system for first-year students this year, which opens May 1.

The whirlwind means law firms are making hiring decisions based on smaller academic records and students now have even less time to make important career choices.

Full Article

Elisha Garvey

Professional Development Manager

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 

This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Elisha Garvey! Elisha is the Professional Development Manager at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. She has been a member since 2017. Read about her favorite experience as a WALRAA member, how she manages her work-life balance, and more in his own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
Seven years! I enjoyed the WALRAA education conference in 2019 (right before the world shut down!).

2.     How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
It has been an invaluable way to connect with my peers. It has also helped me to grow as a professional in this field.

3.     How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
In 2016 - My first job in this space was in the George Mason Law School Career Services Office. Go Patriots! But my earliest exposure to Career Services was while I was in law school at William & Mary - I had such respect for Ramona Sein and the other members of the W&M Law Career Services Office! And it's been fun to call Ramona my colleague now!

4.     What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
I think the proudest I have felt is after pulling off the first virtual Public Service Recruitment Fair in 2021. I worked with a great team made up of career services professionals at a few DC area law schools, and we all came together on this challenging but rewarding project!

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Acting as a support to two pretty different audiences - associates and partners.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I make every effort to be present when I am with my family at home. The work can wait!

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
Great question! I can't say that I have set any - but I will set a goal to set goals!

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
You are your own best advocate.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
Be outside.

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I have climbed mountains in the Swiss Alps.

Michael Bastaki

Patent Recruiting Specialist 

Morrison Foerster 

This month WALRAA is proud to shine a spotlight on Michael Bastaki! Michael is the Patent Recruiting Specialist at Morrison Foerster. He has been a member since 2023. Read about his favorite career moment, best professional advice he has received, and more in his own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I joined WALRAA about halfway through last year (I moved from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.). I really enjoyed the 2023 Holiday Party, since I was able to meet with a lot of people.

2.     How has WALRAA help you in your field?
WALRAA has kept me updated on the latest trends in the market and provided me with a community to share ideas and discuss advancements in the industry.

3.     How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I did an internship my junior year of college with another BigLaw firm and never looked back.

4.     What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
We opened new patent prosecution groups in both Boston and New York during COVID-19. Creating and executing a plan to sustainably grow these new offices, during a global pandemic, has been the highlight of my career.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Constantly absorbing information amidst a rapidly changing legal industry is the most challenging (but also interesting) part of the job.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I do my best to create a consistent routine each day, that carves out time for me to unwind. I also set personal goals for myself—this year I’d like to get a dog and travel to Latin America.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
For this year, I am focused on growing our patent and FDA groups and working on cross-office teams to implement new recruiting technologies for the firm.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
You are in the meeting for a reason—don’t be afraid to share your ideas. 

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy woodworking, cooking, and tackling home improvement projects.

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I played the baritone saxophone growing up. 

Written by: Amanda O'Brien

Law firms reduced the volume of offers to law students for 2024 summer associate programs, according to a new report from the National Association for Law Placement.

The organization’s 2023 law student recruitment report found that, as a result of overhiring during and after the pandemic, firms cut back on their 2024 summer associate program recruitment efforts as a means of addressing overcapacity concerns.

“Although 2023 ended with numerous announcements of record firm profits, several key industry reports suggest that these profits were in fact driven by increased fees and that lawyer utilization rates overall remained low through the end of the year,” the report said. “At the very least, firms across the industry appear to be projecting excess capacity in the near term—or at least a decreased need for new talent—resulting in one of the softest recruiting cycles since the Great Recession.”

Full Article