Firm Summary
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
Perhaps most well-known among associate circles for its Cali vibe and casual dress code, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is anything but laid-back when it comes to representing its clients. One of the few firms to practice only litigation, it’s one of the most successful at it, both in terms of outcomes and revenue. Founded in 1986, the firm today has over 800 attorneys in 23 offices located in 10 countries across four continents. To date, the firm has handled over 2,300 trials and arbitrations with an impressive 88% success rate, and as of 2016, it generated more revenue from litigation and arbitration than any other firm in the world. The firm’s list of litigation clients is a who’s who of global corporations, who keep coming back, at least in part, because of the firm’s willingness to tackle the most difficult and complex cases, often on contingency.
Firm Stats
- Firm Name
- Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
- U.S. Lawyer Headcount
- 581
- Headcount Change Since 2016
Overall
-9
Partner
+31
- Salary Scale
- Market
- Bonus Category
- Full Match
- Hours Required
- 2,000 - 2,200
- Top Feeder Schools
- Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, NYU School of Law
- Average Lawyer Tenure at Firm (Years)
- 6.6
- Revenue Per Lawyer Change Over Five Years
- -3%
- Women Partners (as Percentage of U.S. Lawyer Headcount)
- 8%
- Women Partners (As a Percentage of U.S. Partnership)
- 23%
- Promotion Rate
- 2%
- Most Common Federal Case Types
- Antitrust, Patent, Contract
- Most Active Federal Jurisdictions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- Frequent Federal Litigation Clients
- Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Aggregate Industries, Aggregate Industries Management, Inc.
Firm Policies
Work/Life Balance
- 16 weeks primary caregiver leave
- 2 weeks family leave
Benefits and Perks
- Bar review course (BarBri; PMBR)
- Bar exam fees
- $10K bar stipend
- Up to $10K moving reimbursement; direct billing with prefered movers; moving of car; house hunting services; prefered treatment from specific lenders
- Full payback required if associate leaves within 12 months
Superstars
Alex Spiro
Partner
One of the most prominent criminal defense attorneys in the country today, Spiro is a partner in the firm’s New York office. To date, Spiro has tried well over 50 cases to verdict and has made a name for himself representing high-profile celebrities. Previously, Spiro worked as a prosecutor in Manhattan, helping to indict and convict more than one serial killer.
William A. Burck
Partner
Co-Managing Partner of the firm’s D.C. office and Co-Chair of the Investigations, Government Enforcement and White Collar Criminal Defense Practice, Burck has consistently been recognized as one of the top white collar defense lawyers in the country. Among his many strengths and accolades, Burck has earned a reputation as one of the foremost experts in cross-border cases.
Christopher Landau
Former Partner
A partner based in the firm’s D.C. office and a member of its appellate litigation practice, Landau is widely regarded as one of the top Supreme Court and appellate lawyers in the country. Landau regularly briefs and argues appeals on a wide range of subject matters, having appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court, every single federal Court of Appeals, and several state appellate courts. Landau is also a member of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules. Landau became the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in August 2019.
Above the Law Coverage
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Biglaw Firm Makes It That Much Harder To Get Your Bonus
But this policy raises an interesting philosophical question…
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John Quinn Wants Partners To Regret Leaving His Firm
When leaving your Biglaw firm gets really ugly.
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Quinn Emanuel Revamps Its Summer Associate Program By Bringing Back On-Campus Interviews
Do you have what it takes to score a summer gig at the firm?
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Which Biglaw Firm Is Now Offering $105K Clerkship Bonuses?
Clerkship bonuses have remained stagnant through the recession, but it’s time for the market to move.
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Quinn Emanuel Pulls Off Coup With Big-Time Criminal Defense Hire
A high-profile criminal defense star joins Biglaw.
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Biglaw Mega Merger Between Quinn Emanuel and Williams & Connolly Not To Be
W&C: There’s nothing to see here!
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Quinn Emanuel Hit With Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
The allegations are shocking, but the firm states that they are “utterly without merit.”
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Top 25 Biglaw Firm Will Dump Tons Of Bonus Cash On Associates Who Bill Their Butts Off
‘Many’ associates will also be receiving special bonuses.
The Law Firm Transparency Project draws upon Above the Law research as well as data provided by Leopard Solutions and UniCourt. Click here for an expanded methodology and definition of terms.
