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Associates & Judicial Clerks |
In a NutshellGoulston & Storrs has been rated among the top law firms in The American Lawyer’s Annual Associate Survey for eleven years running. We work hard at creating an environment where our associates can grow professionally and personally, and we’re proud of these high rankings.
We hire you with the hope that you’ll eventually become a director. Along the way, you’ll experience:
- a stimulating mix of sophisticated work
- approachable and involved directors
- continuous professional development
- a collaborative and a consensus driven environment
- collegiality and mutual respect
| Firm StatisticsOur clients have high expectations and so do we. We seek candidates with the demonstrated ability, personality and commitment to perform at the highest levels, and the maturity to deal directly with clients from the start. Because we value teamwork, we look for candidates with an open, cooperative attitude and a willingness to share the work and the credit. | Demographics Data
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Attorneys
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Partners
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Associates
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Counsel
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Of Counsel
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Contract Attorneys
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Summer Associates
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Men
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79
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30
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5
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3
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0
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2
|
|
Women
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22
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32
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4
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0
|
1
|
3
|
|
Total
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101
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62
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9
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3
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1
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5
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| Partnership DataThe firm does not have a pre-determined number of Director positions available and hopes that each associate hired will remain permanently with the firm. Currently, associates are generally considered for admission to the firm after 8.5 years of practice.
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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|
Lawyers considered for partnership
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2
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4
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7
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3
|
1
|
|
Lawyers promoted to partnership
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2
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4
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7
|
3
|
1
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| Employment Data
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2008
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2009
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Avg. annual assoc. hrs. worked
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1850
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1850
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Avg. annual assoc. hrs. billed
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1800
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1800
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2L summer $/week
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$3,100
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$3,100
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Entry level base $/year
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$160,000
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$145,000
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| Diversity DataWe value diversity for the dynamic spirit it brings to our organization. Our Diversity Committee meets regularly to address issues regarding the firm’s recruitment, retention, development and advancement of a diverse workforce.
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Partners
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Associates
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Summer Associates
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Women
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22
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32
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3
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Black
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1
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2
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0
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Hispanic
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1
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1
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0
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Asian
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0
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9
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1
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Openly Gay
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7
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4
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1
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| Professional Development / Mentoring & IntegrationOur team approach and low director-associate ratio mean you won't be just a backroom lawyer at Goulston & Storrs. We have a vested interest in your professional growth and development and work hard to promote it.
When you start at Goulston & Storrs, you'll be assigned a "director-mentor" in your practice area to help you grow professionally, as well as an “associate-sibling" to ease the transition to firm life.
Through your work assignments and educational training, you will attain the skills and experience needed to counsel clients at an increasing sophisticated level with an emphasis on:
- the highest level of lawyering,
- teamwork, and
- civility toward and respect for all parties.
| Work FlowOur work allocation system is administered by two directors in each practice group to ensure your time is distributed among a diverse mix of directors, clients and projects. You'll generally stay with a project from beginning to end; experiencing not just an isolated part of a deal, but seeing how it fits together. | Know HowOur Associate Development Committee, along with our Director of Professional Development, monitors your professional growth with a wide range of educational opportunities, including:
- Interactive, educational seminars taught by G&S directors in each practice area
- Associate client series - clients discuss pressing legal issues and their expectations of lawyers
- Monthly practice area meetings - attorneys discuss current developments in the law that impact the practice area and our clients
- Series of seminars specifically designed for senior associates and their needs
- External continuing legal education - encouraged and paid for by the firm
| Feed BackWe see education as a day-to-day activity. You will continually be challenged on complex issues and develop "answers" that provide optimal solutions for our clients, working hand in hand with senior attorneys.
You will receive formal reviews every six months that incorporate feedback from the directors you have worked with during the review period. Informal feedback is provided on a regular basis - directors make themselves available to answer any and all of your questions. | Looped InWe don't keep firm governance issues under wraps. Our associates actively participate in firm operating committees pertaining to hiring, pro bono involvement, diversity and the summer program. Each month, our co-managing directors meet with all associates to have an open discussion about firm management and latest news from the monthly directors meeting. | RecognitionChambers DirectoryChambers & Partners USA Directory, a leading international guide to top lawyers in the country, recognizes several Goulston & Storrs practices and attorneys as leaders in the field. Goulston & Storrs has been named in the directory since 2003 and is proud to receive multiple practice acknowledgements; its Real Estate practice leading the way with a “powerhouse reputation”. Most of the Goulston & Storrs' practice areas recognized ranked at the top of their field nationally and twenty-seven of the firm's attorneys were called out as leaders in their chosen fields. The Boston office of Goulston & Storrs was ranked as a leader in the areas of Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Environmental, Litigation and Retail by Chambers USA. The DC office of Goulston & Storrs was once again ranked as a leader in Real Estate by Chambers USA. “…This Boston firm has truly stamped its mark on the Washington, DC market since its arrival. The DC group handles the full spectrum of real estate work, from joint ventures and leasing to distressed property and affordable housing, and is able to draw upon the ample resources of the Boston office when necessary. The team has created a robust base of regional clients; however, it also acts for a large number of national developers, lenders and investors….”. | The American Lawyer Associate Satisfaction Survey - 1998 to 2008From the first year Goulston & Storrs was considered, we’ve been ranked at the top - Top 10 in the Nation and Top 2 in Boston from 1998-2007. In 2008, we’ve been ranked #1 in Boston. The reasons -- associates grow professionally and personally and are respected for their contributions to the firm, including our commitment to pro bono initiatives and community involvement. We are ranked #3 nationally in the 2009 prestige ranking for our real estate practice by Vault. Goulston & Storrs was selected among law firms nationally to be included in America's Greatest Places To Work With A Law Degree by Kimm Alayne Walton. In her book, Ms. Walton interviewed law school placement administrators throughout the country identifying law firms at which their particular graduates were happiest, and several Boston law schools nominated Goulston & Storrs. | American Lawyer
For the past 11 years, G&S has been voted one of the top firms to practice law by the leading national magazine, The American Lawyer in its annual survey of mid-level associates - and now we’ve been ranked #1 in Boston in 2008! | America’s Greatest Places To Work With A Law Degree  Goulston & Storrs was selected among law firms nationally to be included in America’s Greatest Places To Work With A Law Degree by Kimm Alayne Walton. In her book, Ms. Walton interviewed law school placement administrators throughout the country identifying law firms at which their particular graduates were happiest, and several Boston law schools nominated Goulston & Storrs.
Goulston & Storrs has again been recognized by Chambers USA as a leader in many
of the firm’s practice areas including:
| Benefits & CompensationGoulston & Storrs offers a complete benefits and compensation package. Here is a snapshot of what we offer our associates. | Compensation
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2008
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2009
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Entry level base $/year
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$160,000
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$145,000
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Avg. annual assoc. hrs. worked
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1850
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1850
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Avg. annual assoc. hrs. billed
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1800
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1800
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| BenefitsEmployee benefits are an important part of your total compensation at Goulston & Storrs. The firm provides a wide range of support for our associates including:
- Four Weeks Paid Vacation
- Health and Dental Insurance (same sex domestic partner coverage available)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Long-Term Care Insurance Available
- Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance Available
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Mortgage Assistance Program
- Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Qualified Transportation Program
- Emergency Back-Up Child Care
- Bar Review Course, Exam Fees and Attorney Registration Fees
- CLE Courses, Including Unlimited Access to PLI Programs
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Business Casual Dress
| Other Benefits
- Family Fun Days
- On-Site Wellness Events
- Monthly Firm-Wide Socials
- Fitness Discounts
- On-Site Dry Cleaning Pick-up/Drop-off
- Great In-House Dining
| Equal Employment OpportunityGoulston & Storrs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, handicap, disability or veteran status in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. In addition, Goulston & Storrs complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. | Goulston & Storrs Recruiting Podcast SeriesWhat is it like to work at Goulston & Storrs? | | | | |
| Laterally SpeakingOur Associates on Working Here:At Goulston & Storrs our associates grow professionally and personally and are respected for their contributions to the firm. But don’t take our word for it, hear from our associates:
“…Working at Goulston is a truly collaborative endeavor. Senior lawyers go out of their way to include junior lawyers in making strategy decisions and to give them opportunities early in their careers… associates at Goulston enjoy extensive responsibility, regular contact with clients, and a supportive and collegial environment...”
- Associate, Boston office
“There is a great group dynamic…everyone works as a team and can be counted on to help each other …associates have the opportunity to work closely with the partners, who are experienced, accomplished and who are willing to mentor and teach the associates…”
- Associate, DC office
“…the people and their commitment to exceptional quality of work as well as exceptional lives outside of work. The teamwork continues to amaze me and each experience makes it clearer that I made the right choice to move here.
- Associate, Boston office
“Associates are treated with respect and as valued members of the firm. There is an open flow of information from the partners to the associates. The associates are kept in the loop concerning large and small aspects of the firm's governance. There is a real sense of camaraderie among the attorneys.”
- Associate, NY office
“…Goulston's NY office offers the best of a big firm and a small firm: sophisticated and varied transactions, in an intimate and collegial environment… I am continuously surprised by the consensus-building decision-making at Goulston.”
- Associate, NY office
“…The major thing that struck me when I first started at Goulston was how dedicated all of the partners were to making associates feel both included in the firm and happy with their jobs…”
- Associate, Boston office
“…I was primarily attracted to the diversity and sophistication of Goulston's affordable housing and economic development practice… Goulston encourages associates to gain experience in all areas of real estate law, developing well-rounded, creative attorneys...”
- Associate, NY office
“…Diversity of projects combined with the ability to participate in such projects - one of the more noticeable differences between Goulston’s real estate practice is the lack of sub-practice group or partner fiefdoms…”
- Associate, DC office
“…I have been fortunate enough to work with clients on a daily basis in connection with a number of challenging and sophisticated real estate transactions (often being the only associate on any particular transaction)…in a relatively short period of time, I've been made to feel that I am a part of Goulston and that my opinions with respect to the growth and direction of the firm are truly valued. A feeling that I know is hard to come by as an associate in a law firm.”
- Associate, Boston office
Associates are treated with respect and as valued members of the firm. There is an open flow of information from the partners to the associates. The Associates are kept in the loop concerning large and small aspects of the firm's governance. There is a real sense of camaraderie among the attorneys.
- Associate, NY office
It is hard to capture the culture in words, but imagine having some of the absolutely most intellectual, pragmatic and funniest people working with you on a daily basis and this comes a little bit close …”
- Associate, Boston office
“…I have had several opportunities to market and develop the DC office in ways a typical associate at any other law firm may not have…by going to real estate events in DC as well as meetings with potential clients… Being part of a larger firm, however, also provides us with the opportunity to work on several different types of real estate transactions…I feel that I am part of a team that is working together to make this office successful and that my opinion and contributions as a member of this office are valued…”
-Associate, DC office
“…At Goulston, I also have the freedom to maintain a broad corporate practice entailing the variety of transactions, issues and personal relationships that, for me, makes this profession so rewarding.”
- Associate, Boston office |
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