Working as an Associate at Goodwin: Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to common questions about careers as a lateral associate at Goodwin. Learn about our hiring process, professional development, mentorship, billable expectations, hybrid work model, benefits, and what it's like to build your career with us.
Goodwin's culture is a true differentiator compared to other big law firms. Many lawyers return to Goodwin after working elsewhere for a period, citing our culture as a factor in their decision to come back.
Our associates describe the Goodwin working environment as welcoming, collaborative, and mentor-driven. Our firm culture is rooted in an ethos known collectively as The Goodwin Way.
You will work on deals and disputes that define the current economy. From top startups to FTSE 100 household names, Goodwin associates advise clients across the business life cycle, supporting the world's most dynamic companies, and providing solutions for today’s greatest business challenges.
Your work as an associate goes beyond providing legal counsel. You’ll work closely with clients to support their business goals and deliver practical, industry-informed advice. As you build market fluency and pattern recognition, you’ll become a trusted partner with clients, providing solutions that advance their business.
Learning doesn't stop after onboarding. Goodwin invests more than $6 million annually in attorney and professional staff development and offers more than 300 in-house training programs each year. Associates have access to leadership development programs, business development training, professional coaching, skills workshops, and professional development allowances for external learning opportunities.
Read more about our Learning and Professional Development at Goodwin.
Associates benefit from a combination of formal training, mentorship, regular feedback, and hands-on experience. Lawyers at every level are encouraged to develop not only their legal skills, but also leadership, client relationship, business development, and management capabilities that support long-term career success.
Associates are expected to bill a minimum of 1,950 hours annually. In addition to client work, associates are encouraged to invest time in learning and professional development, recruiting, publications, firm committees, and other initiatives that contribute to the success of the firm and its community.
We view associate hiring as a long-term investment in our people, practices and clients, not a response to short-term shifts in deal volume. We seek associates who want to grow their skills and build lasting careers at Goodwin.
Absolutely. Pro bono service is a core part of our culture. Goodwin serves more than 1,000 pro bono clients annually, and 100% of approved pro bono hours receive billable-hour credit. Lawyers have opportunities to work on matters involving immigration, civil rights, voting rights, nonprofit organizations, veterans' advocacy, criminal justice reform, and many other areas that create meaningful impact in communities around the world.
Our lawyers are expected to work in the office Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays. We also offer five "Work From Anywhere" weeks each year, providing additional flexibility while maintaining the collaboration and mentorship that come from working together in person.
Yes. Through our Cross-Office Rotation Experience, eligible senior associates and counsel can spend time working from another Goodwin office in the United States, Europe, or Asia. These rotations provide valuable opportunities to expand professional networks, deepen relationships across practices, and gain exposure to different markets and clients.
Associate roles in corporate law can be challenging in terms of workload and hours. We recognize the importance of mental health, flexible schedules, and a life outside of the office.
We offer a broad range of programs and benefits designed to support our lawyers both personally and professionally, including flexible vacation, mental health resources, family-building benefits, wellness programs, and unique initiatives such as Recharge on Goodwin, which provides eligible lawyers reimbursement for vacation-related expenses. Our goal is to help our lawyers thrive both inside and outside the office.
Goodwin's AI for All approach means every Goodwin lawyer and professional has access to trusted AI capabilities, including our own in-house AI operating system. We empower our associates to use AI to expand their legal skills and offer build the next generation of solutions for our clients.
Our Goodwin Builders program involves associates working side by side with our in-house AI engineers, product managers and technologists to build legal tools and applications that are redesigning how we approach legal work.
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Discover opportunities to grow your career at Goodwin.