Fenwick Hiring Partners Tout ‘Free Market’ Associate System
At Fenwick & West, associates have more control over their careers and billable-hour goals, according to the firm’s hiring partners.
The Careerist blog interviewed hiring co-chairs William Hughes and Jay Pomeranz, who said Fenwick associates can work with any partner or type of client they choose under the firm’s “free market” system. “That gives associates a lot of control over their careers,” says Hughes. Saying no is “a fine art” he said, but “generally, if an associate says no, it’s respected.”
Associates can also choose between two billable-hour goals—either 1,800 or 1,950 hours. Those choosing the lesser amount get paid less, but still can become partners, Hughes says.
What kind of lawyer likes to work at Fenwick? Pomeranz answered the question this way: “We’re focused on technology and life science, so our client base is very different from New York. The firm culture reflects our Silicon Valley client base, meaning they are self-starters and informal. We get very smart people who don’t take themselves seriously.”
