WWL presents its inaugural list of the best defense firms to work for in Vegas.These rankings are based on the most pristine, untouchable scientific polling methods, a number of beers at a weekend BBQ, and reader input. It is worth noting that while many young associates will follow the magic number (salary/billable hour requirement) to figure out what firms to lust after, the firms in town with the highest magic number did not top our list. The reason? The list takes firm culture, firm reputation and associate perks into consideration. Enjoy!
Best Defense Firms to Work for in Vegas
1. Marquis & Aurbach
Marquis & Aurbach (“M&A”) takes first in the inaugural WWL Best Defense firm to work for in Vegas based on a combination of its firm culture, perks for employees and professional reputation. The firm starts associates off at $102,500 before lucrative bonuses, contributes to employee 401k accounts and pays 100% of health insurance for its employees. WWL received several emails from associates praising the firm culture, the sense of camaraderie and the willingness of the firm’s well-known litigators to mentor younger attorneys. Seems that the partners take turns regularly treating for a round or two at Friday happy hour. Additionally, the firm has a private chef prepare a free lunch for the attorneys Monday through Friday and has catered to attorney caffeine addiction by installing a soda fountain. In terms of billable hours, M&A requires 2000 hours, but the associates swear that 2000 really does mean 2000 even if you want to be on the partnership track.
2. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
WWL ranks Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (“BHFS”) second in the Vegas Valley based on its impressive and rising reputation. The firm currently has 36 attorneys in Las Vegas and has a starting salary of $110,000. The firm has highly ranked Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, General Litigation, Construction Litigation, Labor & Employment, ERISA, Real Estate and Zoning/Land Use departments (Chambers and Partners). Additionally, the litigation partners are well-respected and there has been little to no trash talked about the firm on WWL. The firm also knows how to celebrate associate work, hosting its Christmas party at the Wynn casino with an open bar. Finally, the firm inspired one of our favorite comments to the blog, “I would get about a $15,000 raise if I got an offer at Lionel Sawyer, but I wouldn't consider moving to that firm. On the other hand, I would move over to Browstein Hyatt [] even if I took a $5,000 pay cut.”
3. Lionel Sawyer
The old school firm of Vegas, Lionel Sawyer (“LSC”), places third on the list based on its perks for associates and its outstanding reputation. The firm starts off associates at $110,000, but lists the very reasonable billable requirement of 1,800 hours. Reports are that many LSC partners were crowned with partnership simply by billing the minimum amount of 1,800. Associates suggest there is no pressure to broach 1,800, but bonuses await those attorneys to who do. One frequent criticism of the firm has been its low level raises for associates who stay with the firm. However, LSC consistently ranks in the top Nevada firms for Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners) Associates also wrote in to say that partners at the firm take time to work with them and are frequently assigned real responsibilities in cases, rather than being stuck in document review.One knock on LSC is that firm culture can be curmudgeonly, with no elaborate parties and associates are expected to be in a suit and tie every day. However, partners are known to go out of their way to host open bars, provide snacks, cake or ice-cream on a fairly regular basis.
4. Jones Vargas
Jones Vargas (“JV”) comes in fifth based on a rock solid reputation and reasonable billable requirement. Associates start at $102,000 and are expected to make 1850 billable hours. Like LSC, JV consistently ranks as a top Nevada firm in the areas of Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation, and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners)Associates report that they interact with the firm’s partners on a regular basis. They also report that there’s no pressure for associates to exceed the minimum billable requirement.
5. McDonald Carano Wilson
McDonald Carano comes in fifth based on its solid legal reputation and quick opportunities for associates to gain experience. Associates start at $100,000 and have the reasonable billable requirement of 1850. Like LSC and JV, McDonald Carano consistently ranks as a top Nevada firm in the areas of Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation, and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners) Associates similarly report that they interact with the firm’s partners on a regular basis.
6. Hutchison & Steffen
Coming in at number six is the lesser-known Hutchison & Steffen (“H&S”) based on its employee perks and the genuine associate love for the firm’s culture. Associates start off at $86,000 and are expected to make 1900 billable hours. Every Friday, the attorneys at H&S dine out together on the firm’s dime. The firm is also incredibly family-friendly, paying for an annual firm vacation for attorneys, support staff and their immediate families in Disneyland (including lodging). The firm also offers casual Fridays and free breakfast on Fridays (bagels and donuts). Associates also report that the attorneys and staff genuinely like each other, have frequent firm-wide potlucks and a friendly atmosphere. And the icing on the cake that won H&S the spot at no. 6? If associates bill over 200 hours a month, they get an extra check called “combat pay” to compensate for the loss of free time.
Firms to Watch:
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker
Until recently, Wilson Elser had not really been a player in the Vegas market. It was previously just a satellite office of a national firm, but with the addition of new managing partner and Vegas rainmaker Michael M. Edwards, we think it’s a firm to look into for next year’s list.
Holland & Hart
This last year Holland & Hart ("H&H") gobbled up Nevada firm Hale Lane. We haven’t heard if the Vegas office has the same perks and culture of the H&H Colorado offices, but if skiing, hiking and party life is now a regular part of firm life (WSJ Blog), expect to see them on the list next year.
Howard and Howard
Say what you want about the voting process that led a firm with only 14 attorneys in Vegas to come in second in the poll of best places to work in Vegas. The fact that Howard and Howard employees like the firm enough to put together 118 votes says this firm may soon join the list of best defense firms to work for in Vegas.
2. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
WWL ranks Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (“BHFS”) second in the Vegas Valley based on its impressive and rising reputation. The firm currently has 36 attorneys in Las Vegas and has a starting salary of $110,000. The firm has highly ranked Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, General Litigation, Construction Litigation, Labor & Employment, ERISA, Real Estate and Zoning/Land Use departments (Chambers and Partners). Additionally, the litigation partners are well-respected and there has been little to no trash talked about the firm on WWL. The firm also knows how to celebrate associate work, hosting its Christmas party at the Wynn casino with an open bar. Finally, the firm inspired one of our favorite comments to the blog, “I would get about a $15,000 raise if I got an offer at Lionel Sawyer, but I wouldn't consider moving to that firm. On the other hand, I would move over to Browstein Hyatt [] even if I took a $5,000 pay cut.”
3. Lionel Sawyer
The old school firm of Vegas, Lionel Sawyer (“LSC”), places third on the list based on its perks for associates and its outstanding reputation. The firm starts off associates at $110,000, but lists the very reasonable billable requirement of 1,800 hours. Reports are that many LSC partners were crowned with partnership simply by billing the minimum amount of 1,800. Associates suggest there is no pressure to broach 1,800, but bonuses await those attorneys to who do. One frequent criticism of the firm has been its low level raises for associates who stay with the firm. However, LSC consistently ranks in the top Nevada firms for Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners) Associates also wrote in to say that partners at the firm take time to work with them and are frequently assigned real responsibilities in cases, rather than being stuck in document review.One knock on LSC is that firm culture can be curmudgeonly, with no elaborate parties and associates are expected to be in a suit and tie every day. However, partners are known to go out of their way to host open bars, provide snacks, cake or ice-cream on a fairly regular basis.
4. Jones Vargas
Jones Vargas (“JV”) comes in fifth based on a rock solid reputation and reasonable billable requirement. Associates start at $102,000 and are expected to make 1850 billable hours. Like LSC, JV consistently ranks as a top Nevada firm in the areas of Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation, and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners)Associates report that they interact with the firm’s partners on a regular basis. They also report that there’s no pressure for associates to exceed the minimum billable requirement.
5. McDonald Carano Wilson
McDonald Carano comes in fifth based on its solid legal reputation and quick opportunities for associates to gain experience. Associates start at $100,000 and have the reasonable billable requirement of 1850. Like LSC and JV, McDonald Carano consistently ranks as a top Nevada firm in the areas of Corporate/Commercial law, Gaming law, Labor & Employment law, Litigation, and Real Estate. (Chambers and Partners) Associates similarly report that they interact with the firm’s partners on a regular basis.
6. Hutchison & Steffen
Coming in at number six is the lesser-known Hutchison & Steffen (“H&S”) based on its employee perks and the genuine associate love for the firm’s culture. Associates start off at $86,000 and are expected to make 1900 billable hours. Every Friday, the attorneys at H&S dine out together on the firm’s dime. The firm is also incredibly family-friendly, paying for an annual firm vacation for attorneys, support staff and their immediate families in Disneyland (including lodging). The firm also offers casual Fridays and free breakfast on Fridays (bagels and donuts). Associates also report that the attorneys and staff genuinely like each other, have frequent firm-wide potlucks and a friendly atmosphere. And the icing on the cake that won H&S the spot at no. 6? If associates bill over 200 hours a month, they get an extra check called “combat pay” to compensate for the loss of free time.
Firms to Watch:
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker
Until recently, Wilson Elser had not really been a player in the Vegas market. It was previously just a satellite office of a national firm, but with the addition of new managing partner and Vegas rainmaker Michael M. Edwards, we think it’s a firm to look into for next year’s list.
Holland & Hart
This last year Holland & Hart ("H&H") gobbled up Nevada firm Hale Lane. We haven’t heard if the Vegas office has the same perks and culture of the H&H Colorado offices, but if skiing, hiking and party life is now a regular part of firm life (WSJ Blog), expect to see them on the list next year.
Howard and Howard
Say what you want about the voting process that led a firm with only 14 attorneys in Vegas to come in second in the poll of best places to work in Vegas. The fact that Howard and Howard employees like the firm enough to put together 118 votes says this firm may soon join the list of best defense firms to work for in Vegas.
