Law Students

Schiff Hardin lawyers are strong advocates and trusted advisers for clients across the country and around the world. For 150 years we have shared a deep and abiding commitment to professional and personal excellence and integrity; to outstanding client service; to the legal community and the broader communities where we live and work; and to each other and our firm.

How do you know that Schiff Hardin is the right fit for you? You know you belong at Schiff Hardin if you’ve got these qualities:

  • You’re eager to start practicing law, in the full sense of the term, from day one of your career.
  • You learn quickly, you are open to new ideas, you seek out new challenges, and you relish the opportunity for greater responsibility.
  • You enjoy working collaboratively, you excel on a team that is staffed leanly, and you like learning from those around you.
  • You bring to the table intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm about practicing law, the passion and the patience to solve a client’s problems, and the drive to succeed in your legal career.
  • You share our commitment to improving society through pro bono legal and community work and through our celebration of diversity.
  • You are looking for a firm that allows you to set the course of your own career — to choose your practice area and the kind of lawyer you want to be.

We don't expect you to grow and develop into a great lawyer on your own.  We look for lawyers who possess certain core qualities and values — like initiative, good judgment, and a personal commitment to doing excellent work — and then we provide the support and mentoring that every new lawyer needs to build a long and successful career.  Take a look at our commitment to associate development and the keys to success at Schiff Hardin.

Schiff Hardin is consistently recognized as a leader in the legal industry and in the communities where we practice. But don’t just take our word for it. Click here to see a list of our recent awards, pro bono projects, and diversity activities.
Our system is designed for everyone to succeed. Ronald S. Safer

"We are different. We view our summer associates not just as future colleagues, but as future partners. From your first day as a summer associate, you will do real work, writing briefs, preparing for and attending depositions, and participating in due diligence work and negotiation sessions for corporate transactions. Schiff Hardin lawyers will bring you along to court, to deal closings, to client meetings. We are proud to engage you in our practice, to introduce you to our clients, and to share our unique culture with you.

Our system is designed for everyone to succeed. It has to be, because our leverage — the ratio of associates to equity partners — has always been around 1:1. That means unlike other firms, where the leverage is such that one or even two out of every three lawyers must leave the firm before they reach equity partnership, we want all of our associates to develop into full-fledged lawyers. That has an impact on you long before partnership. It means partners are willing to invest in you and your career. It means you will be given more responsibility earlier. It means you will have an opportunity to excel — and that we're planning for you to do so.

See what our recent summer associates and current associates have to say about their experience working with us."

Ronald S. Safer
Managing Partner

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© 2013 Schiff Hardin LLP

Schiff Hardin LLP is a general practice law firm representing clients across the United States and around the world. We have offices located in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Lake Forest, New York, San Francisco and Washington. Our attorneys are strong advocates and trusted advisers — roles that contribute to many lasting client relationships.