Winston has a special appreciation for the value of judicial clerkship experience, and we actively seek out former and prospective judicial clerks to join our team. We have many associates who have joined us after a clerkship and associates who have left the firm for judicial clerkships and returned upon completion.

Judicial clerks joining Winston & Strawn directly from an eligible 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.

We recruit judicial clerks into specific practice groups and offices. Visit the Search Available Positions tab for more information and to view and apply for available opportunities at the firm.

Visit the Professionals page and click on Clerkships under the Filters heading. Type the first few letters of the court name/location or judge’s last name and select the relevant result. Then click the “Enter” button on your keyboard to surface a list of the Winston attorneys who clerked for that court/judge.

Winston represents some of the world’s largest companies in their most difficult litigation matters. Former clerks who join Winston work alongside industry-leading litigators on matters ranging from compliance counseling to mediation, settlement negotiation, motion practice, trial, and appeal. Early on in their careers at Winston, former clerks have opportunities to apply their experience to interesting and substantive work, drafting complex motions and briefs, taking depositions, cross-examining witnesses, and arguing motions as a member of trial and appellate teams.

Please contact the appropriate recruiting contact for your location of interest. You may also contact Samantha Lerner, hiring committee chair, or Scott Glauberman, chair of the Appellate and Critical Motions Practice. You will need to submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample for consideration. Visit the Search Available Positions tab to view opportunities at the firm.

Our comprehensive Welcome to Winston lateral attorney integration program combines general orientation and IT training with targeted introductions to key firm contacts and includes content on the firm's programs and policies designed to support attorneys' success, Corporate Social Responsibility, and social media training. Lateral associates in their first year at the firm also participate in our formal Mentoring Program. 

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 professional 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 Professional Development page for more details.

All attorneys at Winston have access to one-on-one coaching to help them achieve peak personal and professional performance. Winston’s Director of Coaching and Well-Being works with attorneys on a case-by-case basis to help them develop personalized career plans, expand their business skills, and develop greater emotional and physical resilience.

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.

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.

Recruiting talented lawyers is only the first step. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where our lawyers can grow, thrive, and have a fulfilling career. That commitment is reflected in our focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and career development, as well as our investment in family-friendly policies that support the whole person. Our firmwide networks—open to all lawyers—foster connection, networking, and community across offices and practice areas. Through these efforts, we work to ensure that every lawyer has access to the support, relationships, and opportunities needed to build a lasting and meaningful career at Winston.

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.

Winston offers an array of programs to help our attorneys balance and integrate their personal and professional lives, ranging from Reduced Hours Schedules and 20 weeks of gender-neutral parental leave, regardless of caregiver status. Visit our Attorney Work-Life Integration page for more details.