What We Look For
Baker & McKenzie hires lawyers who are smart and academically accomplished, but other qualities are just as important.
We are most interested in the total contribution a candidate can make to our firm. We value diverse backgrounds and experience, intellectual curiosity, emotional maturity, stamina and loyalty, in addition to a solid academic record.
We have always stressed individual responsibility, and our policy is to give lawyers direct responsibility for work assignments and for contact with clients as soon as they are ready. To be successful at our firm, a lawyer must be comfortable working in an informal environment and have the initiative and imagination to deal with novel legal issues.
The ability to speak a foreign language or an interest in international practice is not a prerequisite for hiring.
Our promotions are based on merit, and our partners are elected by their peers, based on their overall performance and contributions to the firm.