Firm Summary
Susman Godfrey LLP
Susman Godfrey embodies the notion of “small but mighty” in the law firm world. With only about 130 lawyers spread across offices in Houston, Dallas, Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles, the firm’s lean size belies its depth of expertise and legal skill. The firm is particularly revered (and possibly even feared) in the litigation world, known for successfully trying huge, complex litigations with tiny, efficient teams. This litigation expertise should come as no surprise, as the firm was created following founder Steve Susman’s 1980 victory in the Corrugated Containers case, the largest ever antitrust verdict at the time. The firm is known for breaking the Biglaw mold, offering things like a range of alternative fee arrangements and a 1.55:1 partner-to-associate ratio. And true to its Texas roots, the firm still fits every new partner for a pair of authentic Texas cowboy boots.
Firm Stats
- Firm Name
- Susman Godfrey LLP
- U.S. Lawyer Headcount
- 141
- Headcount Change Since 2016
Overall
+37
Partner
+21
- Salary Scale
- Market +
- Hours Required
- Unspecified
- Top Feeder Schools
- University of Texas at Austin School of Law, Yale Law School, Columbia Law School
- Average Lawyer Tenure at Firm (Years)
- 6.8
- Revenue Per Lawyer Change Over Five Years
- N/A
- Women Partners (as Percentage of U.S. Lawyer Headcount)
- 12%
- Women Partners (As a Percentage of U.S. Partnership)
- 14%
- Promotion Rate
- 8%
- Most Common Federal Case Types
- Antitrust, Intellectual Property, Contract
- Most Active Federal Jurisdictions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Frequent Federal Litigation Clients
- Westlake Chemical Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Mayor and City Council of Baltimore
Firm Policies
Work/Life Balance
- Unlimited, gender-neutral paid parental leave regardless of caregiver status
Superstars
Neal Manne
Partner
The Managing Partner of the firm, Manne is a legend of the legal industry and one of the top trial lawyers in the country. His litigation prowess is universally lauded, with a track record of victories in headline-grabbing cases for plaintiffs and defendants alike, including being one of few to win constitutional challenges at trial. Manne is also reportedly among the elite class of Biglaw attorneys to charge over $2,000 and hour.
Stephen Susman
Partner
One of the firm’s founding partners, Susman is regarded as one of the country’s most successful plaintiff’s attorneys. Over the course of a prestigious legal career, Susman has amassed an impressive success rate, built largely on alternative fee arrangements that only require clients to pay when they win. Susman regularly represents high-profile clients in complex corporate litigation matters.
Parker Folse
Partner
The founding partner of the firm’s Seattle office, Folse is a highly regarded litigator who routinely represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of commercial litigation matters. Folse also regularly advises clients on the settlement of high-profile commercial disputes prior to the start of full-blown litigation.
Marc Seltzer
Partner
A partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office, Seltzer has built a storied 45-year legal career litigating complex cases in federal and state courts across the country and federal courts throughout the U.S. Seltzer was a founding partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, which today is widely considered one of the best litigation shops in California.
Above the Law Coverage
-
Litigation Powerhouse Rocks The Market With Mega Bonuses
Bonuses start at $110,000.
-
Firm Offering Unlimited Parental Leave For All Parents
An elite boutique is turning over parental leave to the associates themselves.
-
Firm Comes Over The Top Of Market ‘Cravath’ Compensation Scale
First years start at $195,000.
-
A Deep Dive Into The History Of One Of America’s Premier Law Firms
Big personalities fuel this mighty trial boutique.
-
Associate Bonus Watch: Which Firm Now Offers Up To $125,000 In Associate Starting Bonuses?
That’s a lot of money — but note that this firm has very high hiring standards.
-
Elite Litigation Powerhouse Steamrolls The Market With Bountiful Bonuses
Woooooo, big money!
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.
