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Lateral Partners

Perkins Coie is a dynamic place to work, with a client list that includes some of the world’s most innovative companies.

We are guided by a strategic plan in lateral partner hiring, carefully considering the firm’s vision for sustained success, our defining cultural values, challenges facing the industry and the firm, and certain high-profile geographies and practice areas. We seek colleagues who share our commitment to excellent client service, a strong record of success, and the kind of collaborative spirit that consistently lands Perkins Coie on local and national “best places to work” lists.

We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion across the firm. By building a workplace that reflects our clients and our own communities, we continue to provide the very best service to our clients.

Lateral Partner Team

If you are a partner or a search firm representing a partner, please reach out to both of the contacts listed below.

Rachel Mayerson
Senior Director of Strategic Lateral Growth & Integration
RMayerson@perkinscoie.com

Antonio Cardenas
Manager of Strategic Lateral Growth
ACardenas@perkinscoie.com

Integration is Key

We've committed specialized business professionals to onboarding and integration. Our five-year retention rate for lateral partners stands at nearly 80%, significantly surpassing the Am Law 200's current 60% rate.

Culture is One of our Greatest Assets

Perkins Coie has maintained a commitment to uphold and strengthen the values that give the firm its distinctive, prized character.

Lateral Partner Success Stories

Read Patent Litigator Gene Lee's Story

What are some of the reasons why you chose to transition to Perkins Coie?

Perkins Coie was my choice because of the firm’s strength in my practice area. When I was looking to move, I looked exclusively at firms that have a strong IP practice and a strong presence in the marketplace: in my view, firms with strong patent litigation must have significant market share. As time has passed, I continue to feel very good about my choice.

My last firm was private equity focused, so major PE firms were the firm’s biggest clients. At Perkins Coie, many of the biggest clients are the largest and best tech firms in the world, which provides a general comment about the firm’s client base as a whole. Perkins Coie is a tech oriented firm, and the client base bears that out.

Can you share some specific examples of helpful ways the firm supported you during your transition and integration into the firm?

In my early days after joining the firm, I very much appreciated the integration program. There was and is a person who oversaw my transition, which helped me manage aspects of the integration, including setting up meetings with firm colleagues elsewhere in the country. I was very enthusiastic about visiting the other offices.

My start date was well timed because the New Partner Retreat and the Partner Planning Conference occurred shortly after I joined, and I was able to visit other offices on the West Coast during those trips. Those introductions have helped me work successfully and closely with lawyers throughout the firm both within and outside my practice group.

Is there anything else that a potential lateral would find helpful in considering a move to the firm?

The firm is proud of its culture and one of the hallmarks is the way it operates to help foster collegiality. My experience has been positive. Colleagues here treat each other well and an emphasis on collaboration is highly valued.

Read Corporate & Securities Lawyer, Jill Louis' Story

What are some of the reasons why you chose to transition to Perkins Coie?

Perkins Coie was attractive to me because the firm knows who it is. Because it is a dominant player in technology and intellectual property, the firm’s value proposition is easy to articulate. It is both an old-line firm and part of the cutting edge of today’s economy. The firm can play with the confidence that comes from its 100-year history and its roster of talented and successful professionals: I like being on a team of A players.

Culture matters and I recognized that Perkins Coie’s culture reflects my values. I believe in working collectively as a professional services provider and I believe in the collegiality of a partnership. At Perkins Coie I practice with like-minded professionals.

The firm’s strategic diversity plan was a clincher for me. The diverse lawyers at this firm are empowered. They are not hanging out in the shadows wishing for progress. They are a key part of every aspect of the firm efforts.

It matters to me that Perkins Coie believes in being on the right side of history as we support candidates for public office and the ability of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.

What’s been the biggest surprise to you since joining the firm?

The firm’s Legal Practice Management group is phenomenal. They are an impressive resource for our firm and for clients, and truly are a differentiator for the firm. Across departments, the firm sets us up for success. The technology support to deliver programming is excellent.

I was pleased to discover that the strong commitment to pro bono at Perkins Coie goes beyond lip service.

Can you share some specific examples of helpful ways the firm supported you during your transition and integration into the firm?

On Day One I brought over a matter that would require support from IP and litigation. A new colleague quickly referred me to two partners who jumped in with both feet to make the transition seamless and to support the client.

From my first day, I was welcomed with open arms into presentation and writing opportunities as well as new task force initiatives.

The virtual road show, Women of Color, and African American Lawyers groups helped me to find my colleagues and begin to build connections.

It is HUGE to me that the firm has a team of professionals who are dedicated to lateral integration.

Perkins Coie prides itself on having a collaborative and inclusive culture. Can you share a recent experience where you found that to be true?

Another new partner colleague, upon hearing that I had previously worked with one of her key clients, was very welcoming. She provided a “reintroduction” to the client which immediately resulted in work. Not all firms have people that quickly bring you into the fold of an established client relationship.

What do you most look forward to in your career at Perkins Coie?

I look forward to growing the Dallas office and bringing up the next generation of Perkins Coie lawyers, working collectively to create the strongest, most diverse firm in the country, and being unapologetic.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity is a long-standing core value and one of the firm’s strategic goals.

Embracing diversity allows us to draw from varied perspectives and communities, enabling us to attract the very best talent to our ranks, and in turn provide excellent service to our clients.

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Pro Bono

Our commitment to community spans more than a century.

We have a long history of giving back and helping those in need, building a more inclusive society, and providing equal access to justice. Our pro bono efforts drive tangible outcomes that make a real difference.

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