Steptoe & Johnson offers associates a broad range of hands-on experience that contributes to each individual’s development as a lawyer. As associates with the firm, new lawyers are given the opportunity to work directly with clients early in their careers, pursue crucial training options, and form valuable mentoring relationships.
Steptoe & Johnson’s need for associates varies from year to year. However, the firm is always interested in enthusiastic, energetic, and eager law students as they make decisions pertaining to their legal careers. Steptoe & Johnson’s lawyers come from the most prestigious law schools in the nation, including:
- Baylor University
- College of William & Mary
- Georgetown Law Center
- George Washington University
- Harvard Law School
- Ohio State University
- Penn State Dickinson School of Law
- University of Denver
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Richmond
- University of Tennessee
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
- Vanderbilt University
- Wake Forest School of Law
- Washington & Lee University
- West Virginia University
In all associate hiring decisions, recruiting committee members consider the full range of an applicant's qualifications, with particular emphasis on traits that demonstrate legal ability, commitment to professional achievement, and compatibility with the firm culture. Key factors include the following:
- Demonstrated aptitude and achievement
- Demonstrated verbal and writing abilities
- Law school grades
- Extracurricular activities
- Undergraduate education and accomplishments
- Work experience
In addition, the recruiting committee considers factors that demonstrate personal maturity, initiative, adaptability, good judgment, and a sincere interest in the professional and personal aspects of membership in a firm. Because the firm maintains close working relationships with clients, attorneys, and judges in many communities throughout the region, a potential associate must be able to deal personably and effectively with others on a daily basis.
The annual salary for new associates is one of the highest available in the region. The firm reviews each associate’s salary on an annual basis.
Steptoe & Johnson also offers a competitive benefits package, which includes a 401(k) plan and term life, long-term disability, medical, and AD&D insurance, as well as a flexible spending plan. As to professional benefits, Steptoe & Johnson provides its associates with liability insurance and reimbursement for mandatory bar association dues, approved continuing legal education expenses, and other practice-related obligations. Associates also are encouraged to take approximately two weeks of vacation each year.
Employment for new associates typically begins in September of each year. The firm pays recent law school graduates a one-time summer stipend, currently $10,000, to cover moving costs, living expenses incurred while studying for the bar examination, bar review courses and application fees.
