What is your billable hours policy?
Associates in our Upstate offices have an annual goal of 1,825 hours, while Associates in our New York City office have a goal of 2,000 hours. All pro bono work counts toward these goals.

What is your partnership track policy?
The firm does not have a fixed schedule for election to partnership because each attorney develops at a different rate. However, Associates should expect to practice law for at least eight years before being considered for partnership. The firm’s recent partnership election results are as follows:

  • 2000: 4
  • 2001: 4
  • 2002: 4
  • 2003: 1
  • 2004: 3
  • 2005: 2

What criteria are used to select partnership candidates?
In addition to experience, the firm takes these and other factors into consideration:

  • The consistent production of first-rate legal work
  • Sound character, judgment, and maturity
  • The ability to work well with clients and colleagues
  • The ability and willingness to handle complex legal matters
  • Solid billable hour levels
  • A capacity for business development activities
  • A demonstrated willingness and ability to become involved in firm operations
  • A commitment to the ideals of the profession and the firm

Does your firm have two-tier partnerships?
No. All of our Partners are full-equity Partners, and decisions by the partnership are made strictly on a one-partner one-vote basis. This includes the election of members to our Governing Committee. We also have term limits for firm management, with each member of the Governing Committee elected to a three-year term, and serving no more than two consecutive terms.

What role do Associates play in the operation of your firm?
Our Associates are encouraged to participate in the administration of various aspects of the firm, including practice development activities and the interviewing and hiring of new Associates. We also maintain an Associates’ Committee that is active in practice development, training, hiring, diversity, and pro bono work. Our Associates meet with our Managing Partner to discuss firm matters. Our Associates are also active in the communities in which they work, and serve on a host of boards of directors and as trustees of charitable and other not-for-profit entities.

How have women fared in making Partner?
Since 2000, women have comprised 27% of the Associates who have been elected to Partner. Currently 44% of our Associates and Special Counsel are women. Women Partners serve on our Governing Committee and are heads of various other committees and practice groups in the firm.

What is the firm’s position on diversity hiring?
We are committed to increasing diversity among our attorneys, and we actively seek minority candidates. We participate in minority recruiting conferences, and in the Erie County and Monroe County Bar Associations to encourage the hiring of minority students. Nearly 15 years ago, we established a scholarship program for students at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal community. To our knowledge, we are the only law firm in New York State to have done so. Our commitment to diversity hiring is reflected in these figures:

Attorneys who are minorities:

  • 2000: 9 (including 1 Summer Associate)
  • 2001: 6
  • 2002: 5
  • 2003: 4
  • 2004: 7 (including 2 Summer Associates)
  • 2005: 8 (including 2 Summer Associates)

What salary and benefits are your Associates provided?
First-year Associates receive a base salary of $70,000 and a $5,000 transition stipend. In addition, Associates are eligible for bonuses based on billable hours, as well as merit bonuses based on other extraordinary efforts.

Phillips Lytle pays various bar association dues and offers life and disability insurance coverage. We offer a healthcare insurance program (for which the firm provides a monthly allowance toward premium payments). We also offer a voluntary dental plan, flexible spending reimbursement accounts, paid maternity/paternity/adoption leaves of absence, and three weeks’ annual vacation. In addition, Associates are immediately eligible to participate in, and are fully vested in, a 401(k) plan. After one year of service, the firm matches 50% of 401(k) plan contributions, up to 2% of annual earnings.

Do you offer part-time employment for attorneys?
We generally do not hire new attorneys for part-time employment. However, on a case-by-case basis we do offer firm attorneys the opportunity to work part-time.

Does your firm have a dress code?
Our firm has adopted a “business casual” dress code. However, our attorneys are expected to wear regular business attire when appearing in court or when meeting with clients where such dress is more appropriate.

 

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