INFORMATION
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EMPLOYER INFO
Employer Name: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. - Los Angeles
Address: 555 South Flower Street
  31st Floor
City: Los Angeles
State, Zip: California, 90071-2300
Country: United States
Phone: 213.624.2500
Fax: 213.623.4581
Web: www.ssd.com

Hiring Attorney: Mr. Brian E. Schield

Recruiting Contact: Mr. Brian E. Schield
Title: Hiring Chair
Employer Name: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. - Los Angeles
Address: 555 South Flower Street
  31st Floor
City: Los Angeles
State, Zip: California, 90071-2300
Country: United States
Phone: 213.689.5109
Fax: 213.623.4581
Email: bschield@ssd.com

OFFICE/ORGANIZATION SIZE
Multi Office Form: N
Multi Office Form Reporting For:
Specify:
# Offices On Form: 1
Total # Offices: 32
Employer Size Range: 701+
Office Size Range: 26-50
Total Attorneys In This Office: 33

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
As of Feb. 1, 2010   ASSOCIATES All OTHER
LAWYERS
SUMMER
ASSOCIATES
  Ptrs/Mbrs Counsel Staff
Attorneys
Other
Lawyers
Men: 10 4 6 0 0 0
Women: 2 10 1 0 0 0
TOTALS: 12 14 7 0 0 0
Hispanic/Latino Men: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 1 0 0 0 0
White Men: 5 3 6 0 0 0
Women: 2 6 1 0 0 0
Black/African
American
Men: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander Men: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Asian Men: 5 0 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 3 0 0 0 0
American Indian/
Alaska Native
Men: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 or More Races Men: 0 1 0 0 0 0
Women: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disabled Men: NC NC NC NC NC NC
Women: NC NC NC NC NC NC
Openly GBLT Men: NC NC NC NC NC NC
Women: NC NC NC NC NC NC

OTHER OFFICES
City State Lawyers
CincinnatiOH22
ClevelandOH147
ColumbusOH82
HoustonTX5
MiamiFL38
New YorkNY32
Palo AltoCA13
PhoenixAZ52
San FranciscoCA44
TallahasseeFL4
TampaFL8
Tysons CornerVA18
WashingtonDC67
West Palm BeachFL14

PRIMARY PRACTICE AREAS
Practice Areas# Ptrs/Mbrs# Assoc & Oth. Lawy.
Corporate & Corporate Finance33
Financial Services1
Labor & Employment35
Litigation49
Public Finance13
Real Estate10

COMPENSATION & EMPLOYMENT DATA
  2010
COMPENSATION
BEGAN WORK IN EXPECTED
Lawyers 2008 2009 2010
Laterals   1 (0) 2 (1) TBD
Post-Clerkship   0 (0) 0 (0) TBD
Entry-level $/yr 3 (0) 0 (0) TBD
LLMs (US)   0 (0) 0 (0) 0
LLMs (non-US)   0 (0) 0 (0) 0
Summer        
Post-3Ls $/wk 0 (0) 0 (0) 0
2Ls $/wk 3 (0) 1 (0) TBD
lLs $/wk 0   0   0

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
# 2009 entry-level attorneys who were former interns:
# 2009 Summer 2Ls considered for associate offers: 1
# offers made:
Hire school term clerks? Y
Prefer significant prior experience in area?
1Ls hired? N
For attorney hires, require: Bar admission?
For attorney hires, require: Prior practice experience?
If yes, # of years?
U.S. citizenship required?
When after 12/1 should 1Ls apply?
Split summers allowed? CBC
If yes, minimum weeks:
1Ls considered for interns?
Comments:  

Accept applications for the 2011 Summer Program from:
Joint degree students graduating in 2013 or later? Y
Evening students graduating in 2013? Y
Judicial Clerks? Y
Students at non-US law schools? N

What % of legal staff has been with the organization:
less than 2 years?
2-5 years?
6-10 years?
more than 10 years?

Application Process:
Date applications first accepted for summer interns:
Date applications first accepted for attorneys:
Deadline for applications from summer interns:
Deadline for applications from attorneys:
Date offers are made to summer interns:
Date offers are made to attorneys:
Average length of hiring process (months) for summer interns:
Average length of hiring process (months) for attorneys:

Do you hire domestic LL.M.s? Y
In what practice areas:  
Do you hire foreign LL.M.s? N
In what practice areas:  
When should LL.M.s submit applications?  
Preferred application materials:  

Hiring Criteria:  
Candidates with superior academic achievement, extracurricular experience such as law review and moot court and a demonstrated ability to practice successfully in a collegial environment.

ATTORNEY HOURS
Average annual associate hours worked: (2008) (2009)
Average annual associate billable hours: (2008) (2009)
Is there a minimum billable hour expectation? Y  
If "Yes", number: 1950  
Hours policy details:  
First year associates' billable goal is 1900.  
Is billable hour credit given for pro bono work? Y  
Is there a maximum that will be credited? Y  
If yes, what? 100  
For bonus consideration, is a pro bono hour equivalent to a billable hour? Y  

CLERKSHIP/CREDIT/SUPPLEMENTAL
        COMPENSATION
Do you have a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)?
If yes, describe:
Judicial Clerkship Bonus: CBC
Compensation/progression credit for judicial clerkship? CBC
Compensation/progression credit for other advanced degrees? CBC
Other Compensation:  
$10,400 summer bar prep. stipend, bar review course, one annual or biennial bar reg. dues, reasonable relocation expenses, associate bonus program, $10,000 attorney referral bonus.

BENEFITS
Benefits: 401(k)/IRA/Other Retirement Plan
Bar Association Fees
CLE
Dental Insurance
Domestic Partner Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Family/Dependent Care Leave
Flexible Spending Account/pre-tax Option
Life/AD&D
Long-term Care Insurance
Long-term Disability Insurance
Medical Insurance
Medical Spending Account
Parental Leave
Parking/Transportation
Relocation Expenses
Sick Leave
Technology (Laptop, PDA, etc.)
Vacation Leave
Vision Insurance
Benefit Package Comments:  
22 Vacation Days; Guaranteed Home Loan Program.

WORK/LIFE INFORMATION
Average weekly hours per attorney:
Usual scheduled working day:
Part-time allowed? Y
Part-time available to entry-level? CBC
# of part-time associates: 0 (m) 1 (w)
# of part-time partners/members: 0 (m) 0 (w)
# of part-time other lawyers: 3 (m) 1 (w)
Do you have a written part-time policy for associates? Y
Do you have a written part-time policy for partners? N
What is the impact of working part-time as an associate, if any, on an associate's progression toward partner? Considered utilizing the same qualitative criteria as standard hour attorneys.
Can an associate be promoted to partner while s/he is working on a part-time schedule? Y
Can a partner work on a part-time schedule? Y
Eligibility for alternative work schedules determined by: Office/Practice Group Leadership
Paid non-medical parental leave? Y
Comments:  
The firm's Balanced Hours Policy sets forth the procedure for requesting reduced and flexible schedule programs to accommodate work-life balance. Associates receive up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Coaching/mentoring program? Y
Evaluations:
Upward reviews: N
Professional development staff: Y
Billable hours credit for training time: N
Rotation for junior associates between departments/practice groups? CBC
Is rotation mandatory? N
Comments:  
External CLE is supported by the firm and reinforced by in-house office, practice, regional as well as firmwide training programs. The firm also practices "at the elbow training" which was developed to focus on individual training opportunities that occur in the course of everyday work. Mentoring, both formal and informal, are practiced regularly throughout the firm with much success.  SSD University is a training program for all new associates joining the firm from law school or judicial clerkships

PARTNERSHIP DATA
Does the firm have two or more tiers of partner? Y
If no, how many years is the partnership track?
If yes, how many years is the non-equity track?
How many years is the equity track?
Additional partnership progression information:  
An associate is first eligible to be considered for partnership during his/her 7th year.

DIVERSITY RECRUITMENT & RETENTION
        EFFORTS
Activities to increase the presence and retention of under-represented groups:
Minority job fairs:   Bar sponsored Programs:
Outreach to law student groups:   Firm Diversity Committee:
Directed Mentoring Effors:   Rec. at schools w/ large min. pop.:
Comments:  
Diversity in our lawyer ranks is something our firm carefully cultivates and nourishes.  These efforts are recognized regularly in surveys performed by legal trade publications.  For example, the Minority Law Journal has consistently ranked Squire Sanders in the top 25 percent in its Diversity Scorecard, drawn from statistics collected by American Lawyer Media.

CAMPUS INTERVIEWS
Selected Campuses:
Job Fair/Corsortia Attended: DuPont Minority Job Fair
HNBA Job Fair
Lavender Law

CAMPUS INTERVIEWS FOR PRIOR YEAR
# of Schools Visited in 2009: 0
# of Job Fairs / Consortia Attended in 2009: 3
PRO BONO INFORMATION
Pro Bono Contact Information
Pro Bono Contact: David C. Weiner
Title: Partner
Phone: (216) 479-8344
Fax: (216) 479-8780
Email: dweiner@ssd.com
 
The information indicated here is:
Firm-wide: Office Specific:
 
%Firm Billable Hours last year:
 
Average Hours per Attorney Last Year:
           Associates
           Partners/Members
           Other Lawyers
 
Participation last year:
          % Associates
          % Partners/Members
          % Other Lawyers

What percentage of attorneys performed more than 20 hours? 40
What was the number of actual pro bono hours contributed by the organization in the prior calendar year?  29900
 
Does the organization maintain a formal pro bono policy that sets forth the organization's commitment to pro bono?
 
How does the organization define what constitutes pro bono legal work? The Firm uses the ABA Model Rule 6.1 Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service for purposes of what it does or does not constitute pro bono legal work. 
 
Does the organization set annual goals regarding the minimum number of pro bono hours to be contributed by the organization?
    If yes, what is that annual goal? 
 
Does the organization set individual attorney goals regarding the minimum number of pro bono hours to be contributed?
    If yes, what is that annual goal? 
 
Is an attorney's commitment to pro bono activity considered a favorable factor in advancement and compensation decisions?
    If yes, to what extent? 
 
Are full-time support services (word processing, online research Lexis/Westlaw, out of pocket costs) available for pro bono representation?
    If so, are there any limitations? There are no limitations.
 
Are associates provided written evaluations of their work on pro bono matters?
 
Does the organization employ one or more of the following structures to manage its pro bono program and to provide training and guidance to participating attorneys?
     Full-time attorney in a dedicated pro bono coordination/oversight role
     An attorney who coordinates pro bono projects as an ancillary duty to other work
     Pro Bono Committee
     Non-attorney administrator
     Other: 
How is pro bono work assigned/distributed? Squire Sanders has pro bono coordinators in offices and regions across the United States.  Their mission is to encourage activity, address issues as they arise and ensure that the quality of the pro bono work performed by our lawyers remains strong.  We encourage all our lawyers to participate in advising the firm's pro bono clients as well as bringing pro bono matters of interest to the firm.

If an attorney is permitted to bring a pro bono case for possible consideration by the firm, who makes decisions about whether the firm will handle the matter?
     Pro Bono Coordinator
     Pro Bono Committee
     Department Chair
     Other: 
     N/A
Does the organization provide any of the following to enable its attorneys to participate in pro bono activities or work in a public interest setting? (Check all that apply)
     Externships
     Sabbaticals
     Fellowships
     Part-time pro bono programs
     Other
If so, please describe: Yes, from time to time.  We have established long-term relationships with public interest organizations across the United States and associates are given the opportunity to work for these organizations for varying lengths of time.
 
Are pro bono opportunities available for summer associates?
 
Additional comments (Please use this space to provide any additional information about your organization's pro bono program including any special recognition or awards the organization has received for its pro bono work.):
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has strong pro bono programs in each of our 15 offices across the United States. The common theme is individual lawyer opportunity and support.  Pro bono representation is a vital part of our commitment to our profession and the communities in which we live and work. We reach out to these communities to support civic, charitable, educational and professional organizations with extensive pro bono activities.  Our lawyers dedicate thousands of hours annually to supporting pro bono clients.  The firm has approximately 350 active pro bono clients; about 70 percent are organizations and the balance individuals.  We specifically encourage our lawyers to take on pro bono matters that are of personal interest to them.  In our pro bono representations we maintain the same high level of client service that we provide our paying clients. While many matters are handled individually, a significant amount of the larger matters are handled by teams of Squire Sanders’ lawyers, not all of whom are in the same office.  



A variety of pro bono opportunities are available for summer associates, depending on the matters being covered at a given time and the amount of assistance required by the primary lawyers working on them. Though we do not track the number of hours summer associates spend on pro bono work, it is not insignificant.



Through our 17 offices outside the United States, we also provide for international pro bono opportunities and have, in fact, had some of our US-based lawyers work on those matters from time to time.  Associates receive “credit” for pro bono hours, and we take into consideration both the number of hours and the quality of the representation in our yearly bonus calculations.  We consider it a plus for lawyers to take on significant pro bono matters and encourage them to do so.



Our lawyers and offices have received a number of recognitions and awards over the past two years. Examples of these include:
• Our Los Angeles office was awarded the state bar president’s Pro Bono Service Award and the Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award by Public Counsel.
• A Tampa lawyer was recognized in 2007 by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s pro bono program, H.A.V.E. A HEART and the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program for her exceptional pro bono service to the Tampa community.
• A lawyer based in Tampa and West Palm Beach was selected by Florida Governor Charlie Crist in 2008 to receive the state’s Points of Light Award, a weekly award honoring Florida residents’ volunteerism.
• In 2007 a Los Angeles-based lawyer received the California Lawyer's Angel Award for outstanding pro bono service.
What are some of the areas in which your firm has performed pro bono work in the past year?
We do not put restrictions on the areas of law in which we perform pro bono work.  Our lawyers worked on everything from criminal appeals, including death penalty cases, to small claims court to legal representation of nonprofit institutions and everything in between. In the past year, for example, we have had an increase in activity on domestic violence and housing issues.

• Our Cleveland office recently launched a domestic violence relief program with our longtime partner, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Our firm has been involved with the society for 40 years and provided assistance in launching a major fundraising campaign. Under the program, Legal Aid Society lawyers train Squire Sanders lawyers to handle abuse and domestic violence cases, a largely unmet need of the society and its clients. Our firm is also making a significant four-year contribution to fund a domestic violence staff attorney position at the Legal Aid Society.

• A number of our lawyers participated on the American Bar Association’s Disaster Legal Services team, which provides immediate pro bono assistance to victims and their family members in the wake of calamities.
• Several of our Phoenix office lawyers are serving on a pro bono committee of the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, which represents refugees who have been victims of domestic violence and face removal action to their countries of origin. We coordinated a continuing legal education program that drew attendees from across Arizona.

PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIPS
Do you sponsor split public interest summer and/or post-graduate fellowships?
Public Interest Fellowship Comments:  

NON - DISCRIMINATION POLICY
Non-Discrimination:
It is the policy of the Firm that employees and applicants for employment shall receive fair and equal treatment regardless of race, gender, color, ancestry, religion or creed, sex, age, national origin, medical condition, marital or civil union status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other category protected by applicable law.  This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, selection for lay-off, termination, compensation, and benefits.

NARRATIVE
Among the strongest global law firms, Squire Sanders combines sound legal counsel with practical solutions to resolve our clients' legal challenges and maximize opportunities. Founded in 1890, Squire Sanders has lawyers in 32 offices in 15 countries worldwide. Our lawyers are fluent in more than 40 languages and are admitted to practice in more than 140 courts and jurisdictions worldwide. We represent a diverse mix of clients, from Fortune 100 companies to privately held enterprises, from emerging companies to mature conglomerates, and from individuals to national, regional and local governments. Squire Sanders is a single partnership and operates as an integrated unit, providing clients with a wealth of resources and prompt, efficient access to the expertise available throughout all offices and across all practices.  Please see the on-line NALP Directory for additional information regarding the Firm's summer programs and associate training and mentoring initiatives.

The Los Angeles office of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. presents an opportunity to become a part of a dynamic global law firm. As a full-service legal provider with an emphasis on corporate, labor & employment, litigation, public finance and immigration matters, the office represents US and Asia-based clients with multinational interests in Southern California, across the Pacific.

Exciting and Diverse Practices: Each practice area presents opportunities to assist clients doing business around the globe. With colleagues in every discipline, our lawyers attract innovative clients with operations extending to scores of countries. Bolstered by Pan-Pacific relationships and offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo, our lawyers have intimate knowledge of the business culture and economies across the Pacific Rim.

Corporate: Our corporate lawyers represent clients from the energy, hospitality, financial services, insurance, e-business, technology, health care and government sectors. We provide interaction with corporate personnel and complex business representation involving acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, venture capital, taxation, commercial loans and other financings, public and private securities offerings, real estate activities, secured transactions and creditors' rights proceedings.

Litigation: Our lawyers have broad experience in state and federal courts and in mediation, arbitration and other types of alternative dispute resolution. Our expertise also extends to international dispute resolution. Our litigators have authored numerous treatises and articles, including several on antitrust law.

Labor and Employment: The labor and employment group focuses on both general policy concerns and specific legal issues impacting employers. The LA office also advises US and non-US clients on employee benefits, executive compensation agreements, retirement plans, and employee stock option plans.

Summer Program: Designed to give students a realistic introduction to the practice of law, our Summer Program also allows participants an ideal opportunity to get to know the firm.  Along with participating in various training programs, attending court, and meeting with clients, summer associates enjoy festive social events. Summer associates are encouraged to work in all practice groups in the LA office, but are allowed the freedom to choose projects that most interest them. Our attention to each summer associate provides an opportunity to learn about the culture of the office, and to assist in their individual professional growth.


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