Careers

Why Folger Levin

Working at Folger Levin is about more than just a job, it’s about a commitment to shared values. Attorneys join our firm looking for a place to practice law as it was meant to be practiced: as a service profession. These timeless values inform all aspects of our work, and provide new lawyers a unique opportunity to engage in the highest quality practice, experience superb mentorship, and share a love for the practice of law with colleagues who truly care.

Attorney Development

Every time we hire an associate or summer associate, it is with the hope that this new member of our team will eventually become a partner in the firm. This sets us apart from many firms whose business model depends on large numbers of associates and few partners. Our philosophy of advancement enhances the professional development of our newer attorneys. Given our retention goal, we are motivated to assign interesting work, provide hands-on mentoring, and avoid burnout.

We don’t relegate new attorneys to mere research assignments, due diligence, or document review. Our associates quickly get involved in case strategy, client meetings, negotiations, structuring transactions, court appearances and depositions. Associates are granted a high level of responsibility early on, and are expected to think creatively, and serve as independent contributors who can offer unique perspectives.

In making hiring decisions, we value individuals who combine intellectual rigor with creative, strategic thinking, and particularly value the perspectives offered by people from historically underrepresented groups.

The responsibilities afforded to new attorneys are accompanied by active, supportive mentoring. Our associates work closely with partners, typically on small teams. This approach allows for daily feedback and guidance from experienced attorneys.

Finally, because we want our attorneys to practice with us for decades, we are mindful of avoiding burnout. We work hard for our clients, but recognize that we serve them best when our jobs are sustainable. Our lack of any minimum billable hour requirements helps ensure that associates are working for the right reason – to serve clients – rather than to meet an arbitrary hours goal.

Attorney Stories

Marie Jonas joined the firm as a litigator following a clerkship in the Central District of California. “When I was interviewing at firms, I knew three things that were important to me. Of course, I wanted to work with really talented attorneys who engaged in the highest caliber practice. As important, I wanted to be comfortable that my colleagues were not just intelligent – but were ethical and kind. And I knew that I wanted to work somewhere that wasn’t just another stepping stone, but was a place that I could stay. From my first interview, I knew that this was true of Folger Levin. To a person, the firm values came through: truly caring about clients, maintaining long-term relationships, working hard and working smart. The intervening years have only reinforced how right my first instincts were – I don’t just get to work with some of the best lawyers in the business, but some of the best people.”

Folger Levin’s dynamic practice has afforded Marie countless opportunities to develop professionally in a short time. “In my first two-years at Folger Levin, I was able to author and argue discovery motions, demurrers, and motions for summary judgment in California state court; interview clients; negotiate case settlements; take and defend numerous depositions; and participate in labor arbitrations; among countless other things. The amount of hands-on experience (and careful mentorship) afforded to me was incredible.”

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Rosha Jones joined the firm looking to do employment-counseling work. “After coming from a background as a plaintiff-side employment class action attorney, I was looking for a firm where as an employment lawyer, I could not only vigorously defend employers, but also counsel clients in a manner that valued the law and their employees. I also set out to find a firm that not only advised members of their local communities, but also actively participated in those communities. I found exactly what I was looking for. I am thankful to have found a place where I can counsel our clients with integrity and help them find pragmatic legal solutions to everyday workplace challenges.”

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Jenny Wendell Lentz joined the firm looking for a place to practice estate-planning law. “I chose Folger Levin because its attorneys view the practice of law as a profession of helping people solve their problems. Plus, its unique business model supports this mindset. The true collaboration between the firm’s ‘departments’ allows us to solve problems holistically.” It wasn’t just the practice that drew Jenny in. “I also just had a good feeling the first time I walked into the office. The atmosphere is serious, calm, and collegial. It’s a place I am proud to work.”

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Joseph Bevington IV joined the firm in 2018, following years working as a public school teacher and in the Boston Public School District. “I chose Folger Levin for the people. In speaking with the attorneys, I got the sense that they truly valued each other as professionals and were committed to one another’s success and growth. The strong personal relationships that seemed to exist among colleagues, whether a few years or many decades in the making, stood out as well. Everyone I talked to before joining the firm loved working here and spoke highly of their colleagues. That made the decision to choose Folger Levin very easy.”

Since joining, Joe has been surprised by “the diversity of our practice, which I believe reflects the breadth of the service we offer and the diversity of our clients. I’ve had an opportunity to work on a wide range of issues for clients of every size and type. In doing so, I’ve regularly drawn on others’ expertise and experience to better serve the client.”