Overview
Introduction
Sitting comfortably among the Vault 100 law firms, McDermott is best known for its work in healthcare and tax law—though its practices extend far beyond these. The firm is forward-thinking when it comes to wellness—it was the first to offer lawyers billable credit for participating in 25 wellness hours—and will appeal to those seeking a collegial, supportive environment.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
For an exceptional workplace where people really seem to like each other and the work they do, McDermott may top the list. Recruiting has shifted toward T14 schools, while academic achievement, experience, and personality continue to be emphasized. Relationship building and socializing characterize office settings, and everyone seems to get along. Less hierarchy means that partners are approachable, supportive, and interested in associate well-being and development. This welcoming atmosphere extends to lateral hires, too, who emphasize their training and mentoring experiences. Overall, McDermott offers significant training programs, and partners and senior associates are dedicated to guiding and providing feedback to younger attorneys. Most associate work is meaningful and client-...
Firm's Response
At McDermott, we’re doing Big Law better. We don’t just invest in your future, we act as a career accelerant to propel you along your journey, wherever it may lead. And even as we celebrate hard work and excellence, we emphasize happiness—encouraging a rich, full life outside the office. It’s all part of...
About the Firm
A Chicago institution since the 1930s, McDermott Will & Emery has broadened its gaze in recent decades to new markets in the United States and abroad. The strategy has paid off in spades, with McDermott firmly ensconced among the world’s largest and most elite law firms.
A Windy Start
McDermott opened for business in 1934 as a tax firm run by Edward H. McDermott and William M. Emery. Only seven years later, the third and final name partner was added: corporate specialist Howard A. Will. The firm’s name has remained the same ever since, a remarkable feat of continuity in the modern atmosphere of shortened firm names, legal mergers, and buyouts. McDermott added an Estate Planning division in 1941, and by 1944, the firm had burgeoned to include 16 lawyers. In the following y...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Our firm culture is very collegial and interactive regardless of the level of attorney. Equity partners interact with junior associates professionally and socially, which, from talking with colleagues at other firms, is not the norm in other office cultures. It is very easy to build both professional and personal relationships with other attorneys at McDermott.”
- “Everyone is very friendly and sociable; strong emph...
Why Work Here
We don’t just invest in your future, we act as a career accelerant to propel you along your journey, wherever it may lead. And even as we celebrate hard work and excellence, we emphasize happiness—encouraging a rich, full life outside the office. It’s all part of our #AlwaysBetter mantra, as we strive to bring our best to our clients and each other every day.
Culture & Inclusion at McDermott Will & Emery
Getting Hired Here
- “The hiring process is very competitive. Associates are generally hired from top law schools and are at or near the top of their class. For individual offices, the firm also hires from top state schools (e.g., in Florida, the firm hires from University of Florida). A strong resume will get a candidate in the door, but the firm places an emphasis on personality match when selecting who will receive job offers.”
- “The...
Perks & Benefits