Careers

Available Positions

Click here to view and apply for available opportunities.

We require that all applications be submitted via our online self-apply system. Duplicate applications to the individual attorney recruiting contacts via email or hard copy are discouraged.

View our guidelines for search firms.

View our associate salary disclosures.

Note to Legal Search Firm Agencies & Third Party Job Posting Boards: Our posting of the positions on this website does not authorize placement agencies or other third parties to directly solicit candidates on the firm's behalf. We ask that search firms only submit resumes for positions posted on the attorney opportunities section of our website. All submissions must be made via the online application form. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the firm's hiring policy, or wish to discuss a potential working relationship with the firm, please contact a member of our attorney recruitment department.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Winston is committed to providing employment opportunities to individuals whose experience and abilities best match job requirements. Please click here for more information on our EEO policy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION ACT

SEARCH FIRM GUIDELINES

The following guidelines have been established to ensure a consistent and efficient working relationship between Winston & Strawn LLP and the legal search firms who contact our Attorney Recruiting & Development Department.

Associate Candidates:

Search firms may only submit resumes for positions that are posted on the Available Attorney Positions section of our Web site. Applications should be submitted through the on-line application link. We require a current resume and law school transcript in order to consider an application. In addition, the Search Firm section of the form must be completed and a current signed fee agreement must be on file with the Firm. If you have a strong candidate whose experience and interests do not match an available position, please send the recruiting contact in the appropriate office a brief email generically summarizing the candidate's credentials for consideration.

Partner Candidates:

Winston & Strawn works with select search firms on lateral partner recruiting. If you have a candidate who you believe would be a good fit for the Firm, please contact Debby Cusumano Caldwell. Please note that we do not accept blind submissions.

Search Firm Agreements:

All Winston & Strawn search firm agreements were updated in 2014. If your search firm has an agreement that predates 2014 it is now null and void. It is Winston's policy to sign a new agreement with a search firm only when a resume has been submitted for an available position and we are interested in pursuing the candidate.

It is Winston & Strawn’s policy that all inquiries regarding attorneys are to be directed to the Recruiting Contact of the office at which the search firm is seeking to place a candidate. There are no exceptions to this procedure and a placement fee will not be paid or a priority recognized for any resume sent to the Firm in any other manner than indicated above. We will not consider any resume where the attorney is not identified by name.

World-Class Attorneys

If you #ChooseWinston, you will work on complex disputes and transactions in a wide range of practice and industry areas alongside world-class talent in a friendly and collegial environment.

Our reputation as a top trial firm is well-known, but Winston is also a place where aspiring deal lawyers gain exposure to complex and novel corporate and finance transactions.

Winston’s record revenue and rise in the AmLaw 100 rankings in the past year is largely credited to “transformational” lateral group hiring that has resulted in strategic additions to Winston’s thriving M&A, private equity, energy project development and finance, employee benefits and executive compensation, and other transactional practices.

On the disputes side, Law360 named Winston its “Trial Group of the Year,” highlighting the historic victory for Beef Products Inc. in its defamation lawsuit against ABC led by legendary Winston litigator Dan Webb, and a substantial jury verdict in a billion dollar bet-the-company patent case led by sought-after Winston IP practitioner Tom Melsheimer. The American Lawyer named Winston antitrust partner Jeffrey Kessler a “Litigator of the Week” when Winston defeated a major consumer price-fixing class action that “made [Panasonic] look like the smartest of the bunch for continuing to fight….”

Many law clerks’ career paths lead to Winston because of our nationally recognized litigation practice. Visit the Judicial Clerks section for more details.

Our attorneys also have the opportunity to participate in Winston’s substantial pro bono activities, serving a critical need in the community while gaining valuable legal experience. Associates who meet their hours target are eligible to receive credit for additional time billed to pro bono and may qualify for additional bonus amounts.

First-Rate Talent Platform

Winston & Strawn offers a first-rate talent platform for experienced attorneys to achieve excellence and success. Our global and holistic approach celebrates the firm’s history and culture, supports learning and innovation, and leverages diversity and inclusion.

• Through the firm’s Welcome to Winston onboarding, orientation, and integration program, lateral associates have opportunities to meet colleagues, expand their professional networks, and learn about the firm’s programs in order to leverage their talents and skills.

• Our Winston University development system provides world-class training globally to build the knowledge and skill needed for success and help our attorneys reach the highest levels of performance and engagement.
• Winston’s culture of coaching emphasizes strategic thinking about career and performance, access to dialog for creative problem-solving, learning tips/tools/best practices, “in the moment” feedback, and accountability for goal attainment.
• Our formal Mentoring Program is designed to enhance the learning and development of our associates at each stage of their career. All lateral associates in their first year, are paired with a mentor. Associates fourth year and up can participate as either mentee or mentor.
• The firm’s affinity groups for Black, Latina/o, Asian, LGBTQ, and women attorneys serve as another platform for networking, mentorship, professional development, and empowerment at all levels. Visit the Diversity & Inclusion page for more details.
• Winston provides a number of benefits and perks to support working parents and caregivers, including a progressive gender-neutral Parental Leave Program, Employee Assistance Plan work/life program, and enhanced back-up child and elder care benefit.
• Winston also has an active Alumni Program for former firm members to network and stay connected through annual cocktail receptions in cities across the country, regular CLE opportunities, and social media.

High-Engagement Culture

Winston also has implemented a number of initiatives to enhance the satisfaction of our associates, including a democratically elected Associates Committee empowered by firm management to provide honest and candid feedback; “State of the Firm” addresses covering firm financials, market position, and strategic goals; firmwide engagement surveys; and an evaluation process that is structured, transparent, and meaningful.

• Winston hosts internal programs that celebrate the diversity that exists at the firm and help foster an inclusive work environment. These programs—open to attorneys, professional staff, alumni, and clients—have included Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Pride Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Through our Winston for Good program, firm members across the globe regularly volunteer their time, talent, and energy by partnering with a variety of organizations to help enhance the lives of others. Local office teams coordinate multiple volunteer events each year, including attorney-staff collaboration opportunities.
• In 2018, we launched a global Year of the Heart Winston Wellness initiative to provide both education and motivation to help firm members make healthy choices and reduce their risk factors for heart disease. Our wellness theme for 2019 is Year of Mental Health.

How do I apply for a lateral position?
Winston only accepts applications submitted via our online self-apply system rather than by email or hard copy. Duplicate applications to attorneys or recruiting contacts (by email or hard copy) are discouraged. Visit the Search Available Positions page for more information and to view and apply for available opportunities at the firm.  

What can I expect during the interview process? 
Sean Suber, Chicago, Litigation Partner
“From the initial interaction with Attorney Recruiting to the dinner where I received an offer, the entire experience was professional. Throughout the experience, everyone was warm, welcoming, and sincere. I felt good about joining Winston because the firm was genuinely interested in investing in my growth as a lawyer, and more interested in what I could provide moving forward; not just what I have done in the past.”

Is credit given to incoming associates for clerkship experience?
Generally, judicial clerks joining the firm directly from a federal court clerkship receive a competitive bonus. In addition, the firm provides both seniority and compensation credit for eligible clerkships. Visit the Judicial Clerks section for more details.

Does Winston look for candidates who have technical degrees?
Candidates who have degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, and life sciences who are interested in becoming a practicing IP attorney are encouraged to submit their resume for consideration.

What is the average time to make partner?
In response to associate feedback, Winston developed and implemented an improved Path to Partner process that has more structure, communication, and participative elements. Associates are first eligible for election to partner in their eighth year of practice, and decisions are made based on a clear set of criteria outlining performance expectations and business needs.

What resources does Winston provide to help lateral attorneys hit the ground running?
Our comprehensive Welcome to Winston lateral attorney integration program combines general orientation and IT training with targeted introductions with key firm contacts, and includes content on diversity and inclusion, Corporate Social Responsibility, and social media training. Lateral associates in their first year at the firm also participate in our Mentoring Program.

What kind of training and professional development programs do you have?
Under our Winston University model, we provide an extensive selection of legal and professional skills, business development, and practice management skills training programs. Our integrated talent development team provides attorneys at every level with cutting-edge programs, optional coaching services to assist with career planning, and tailored learning curricula. Our holistic approach ensures our attorneys have the resources for peak performance. Visit the Learning & Development page for more details.

Do Winston attorneys have access to career and performance coaching?
View this brief video in which Director of Coaching Diane Costigan discusses coaching and the firm’s holistic approach to training. 
How do associates participate in management committees?
The firm has a democratically elected Associates Committee empowered by firm management to provide honest and candid feedback. Recommendations from the committee have resulted in enhancements to technology resources, the evaluation process, training and mentoring, and other firm programs. The committee includes attorneys from domestic and international offices, as well as a partner liaison who acts as a formal resource and sounding board.

Describe Winston’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Achieving greater diversity and inclusion in our workforce is one of the key components in Winston’s firmwide strategic plan. Our efforts to enhance the firm’s diversity and inclusion programs, performance, and profile diversity efforts are guided by a global Diversity & Inclusion Committee that includes attorneys and professional staff at the highest levels of the firm. Visit the Diversity & Inclusion page for more details.

Does the firm count pro bono work toward its billable-hours requirement?
Winston’s commitment to pro bono is reflected in the firm’s policies regarding credit for pro bono hours. Associates may apply 100 pro bono hours toward their 2,000-hours minimum requirement for bonus eligibility, and are eligible to receive unlimited credit for pro bono hours after reaching a minimum of 1,900 billable hours. Visit the Pro Bono page for more details. 

Does Winston offer programs that enable flexibility? 

Brian Nisbet, Chicago, Litigation Partner
“The importance of the firm’s parental leave policy cannot be understated. I have taken time with all three of my kids, and have felt fully supported by the firm and those I work with.”

Bill O’Neil, Chair, Hiring Committee

NORTH AMERICA

Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Washington, D.C.
Kenzie Whitfield
Senior Manager, Lateral Associate Recruiting
Email

Nicole Allegretti
Lateral Associate Recruiting Assistant
Email

EUROPE

Brussels & London
Ellen Scott
Human Resources Generalist
Email

Paris
Alexandra Boudon
Office Manager
Email

ASIA

Joanne Wong
Director of Finance/Administration – Asia
Email

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT (all attorney levels)

Training, both formal and informal, is an essential part of an attorney’s growth. The Winston University Development System promotes peak performance at every stage by delivering training at optimal career points. Winston University is a world-class series of legal and professional skills training programs led by Winston partners, associates, firm leadership, and industry experts. Our courses provide attorneys and staff with a well-rounded knowledge base and practice-specific tools.

Attorneys receive tailored support throughout their career—from summer associate to partner—with a global, holistic approach that fosters innovation, a competitive edge, diversity and inclusion, and our core values. We provide hundreds of live and virtual professional development opportunities, including optional coaching services, career planning and stress management workshops, and CLE training options. We embrace a culture of learning and we will help you become the best you can be.

Winston Jumpstart: Junior Associates (Years 1-2)
Jumpstart is our junior level legal and professional skills curriculum.

• Jumpstart Orientation – Professional skills training from client service to project management.
• Litigation Jumpstart – Comprehensive training in core topics and skills applicable to the firm’s litigation services and sectors, including legal writing, motions practice, and written and oral discovery.
• Transactional Jumpstart – Comprehensive training in core skills applicable to the firm’s transactional services and sectors, including performing due diligence, drafting transactional documents, and preparing for and conducting closings.
• Associates in the Environmental, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Real Estate, Tax, and Trusts & Estates practice groups and sectors have departmental curricula that supplement a selection of courses in Transactional and Litigation Jumpstart.

Winston Edge: Mid-Level Associates (Years 3-5)
Edge is the firm’s mid-level transactional, litigation, and professional skills training program.

• Edge Intensive – a two-day program offering third-year associates training on topics such as management, business development, and the economics of a global law firm.
• Mid-level litigation associates receive year-round training focused on more advanced skills, including oral argument and trial advocacy.
• Mid-level transactional associates receive training focused on more advanced skills, including effective contract drafting and negotiation skills.

Winston Accelerate: Senior Associates (Years 6+)
Accelerate is the firm’s senior-level transactional, litigation, and professional skills training program.

• Accelerate Intensive – a two-day program for sixth-year associates designed to propel associates to the next level in their careers. Training topics include planning for partnership, creating value for clients, project management, and managing teams.

Leadership Lab: Partners

• Global New Partner Training program
• Partner Master Classes on business development, leadership, performance management, and advanced legal skills

Resources for All Class Levels

• Our in-house Director of Coaching who can work with attorneys confidentially to support career and personal goals
• Winston Mini MBA – financial literacy training
• Diversity and inclusion training
• Technology skills training
• Pro Bono opportunities and training
• Benchmarks that clearly articulate practice group expectations, and a tailored training curriculum for associates
• Formal training for attorneys in each corporate, transactional and litigation practice group on substantive skills, and recent legal developments unique to the firm’s services and sectors including Real Estate, Tax, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Healthcare, Antitrust, IP/Patent, White Collar & Regulatory Investigations, Labor & Employment, and others
• Access to thousands of online CLE courses and programs offered by our partner organizations

Winston established its formal mentoring program with two primary goals:

• To create connections between experienced and more junior attorneys to facilitate information sharing.
• To ensure that associates have access to a more experienced attorney’s advice and guidance as they chart a path to success at the firm.

The firm’s formal mentoring program is designed to enhance the learning and development of our associates at each stage of their career, and is an essential component of their core curriculum. All first- through third-year associates, as well as lateral associates in their first year, are paired with a mentor. Associates fourth year and up can participate as either mentee or mentor. 

For 2018-2019, Winston launched a reimagined Mentoring Program that starts all mentor-mentee pairs on the same path, with the flexibility to meet their own unique interests, needs, and goals.

View this brief video in which Lisa McLafferty, Winston’s Chief Talent Officer, explains how mentors and mentees are paired for compatibility and the value of these relationships to associates’ personal and professional growth.

At the end of year, mentees will have the opportunity to recognize exceptional mentors who have gone above and beyond in providing them with support and practice assistance.

What differentiates life at Winston & Strawn is the quality of our people, the vibrant communities in which we operate, and the resources and opportunities we provide for professional growth. 

“I wanted to be more entrepreneurial in my practice, and Winston has always encouraged me to be innovative.”

- David Enzminger, Co-Chair Intellectual Property Practice

“My first year has been rewarding and challenging. I have had a lot practical litigation experience, including working on a jury trial team where I prepared witnesses for trial. I have also taken depositions and work directly with the partners.”

- Jason Campbell, Los Angeles, Labor & Employment Partner

“When I led my team to Winston, it was all about integration and doing everything possible to make sure that our practices and clients would prosper. We all became part of the Winston family on day one.”

- Jeffrey Kessler, New York, Antitrust/Competition Practice Co-Chair

“Before I even had my computer I had two voicemails from attorneys welcoming me to the firm and offering me work.”

- Timothy Kincaid, Chicago, Corporate & Finance Partner

“During my tenure as the diversity committee chair I am proud of the work we did to revamp many of our policies.”

- Amanda Groves, Los Angeles, Co-Chair, Complex Commercial Litigation Practice

“Our pro bono counsel encouraged me to take on board memberships at the National Immigrant Justice Center. It’s been a great role for me. I’ve done a number of asylum cases that are very gratifying because I see how I can make a difference in someone’s life.

- Ivan Poullaos, Chicago, Litigation Partner

“I spent nearly six years working as an engineer at various start-up companies before going to law school. The experience of being in a service industry, interacting with clients, and dealing with their demands gave me very practical skills that I could readily transfer when I switched careers.”

- Wade Challacombe, Chicago, Corporate & Finance Of Counsel

“In the end, people make up a firm, and the people at Winston are the type of people you want to work with and for.”

- Sofia Arguello, New York, Litigation Partner

“I have a hard time imagining any other firm that can offer better opportunities to learn from and work alongside attorneys who are routinely recognized as the best lawyers in the courtroom.”

- Jovial Wong, Washington D.C., Litigation Partner

Benefits

We offer a compensation package that is competitive with those of other law firms of comparable size and stature.

Benefits and other perks for full-time associates include:

• World-class training programs tailored by attorney level and career stage
• Award-winning Parental Leave Transition Support Program with access to a Working Parents Career Strategist 
• Life, medical, vision, disability, and dental insurance
• 20 weeks of paid parental leave – regardless of gender or primary/secondary caregiver status
• Up to 100 hours of nonbillable work including pro bono and diversity and inclusion credited toward annual billable hour target
• Dedicated affinity groups for working parents, women, racial/ethnic minority, and LGBTQ+ attorneys
• Career planning, professional development, and peak performance coaching
• Flexible hours schedule policy
• Winston for Good corporate social responsibility program
• Reimbursement for annual bar registration
• Reimbursement for after-hours meals and late-night travel

View this brief video in which Partner Julia Johnson discusses her role as Winston’s parental leave liaison, and the firm’s commitment to its attorneys.

Relocation Reimbursement
We offer up to $2,500 for entry-level associates and $5,000 for laterals to move personal possessions from their current residence to the city in which one of our offices is located. 

Clerkship Bonus
Judicial clerks joining Winston & Strawn directly from a clerkship receive a competitive bonus, reflecting the high value the firm places on the clerkship experience. The firm also provides credit for the time spent clerking for both compensation and seniority purposes on a case-by-case basis.