Cleary Gottlieb
New York, NYWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA +1
FIRM PROFILE
Greenberg Glusker
- Los Angeles, CA
With star-studded clientele, reasonable billables, and a clear pathway to success, this one-office outfit earns the Green light.
About the Firm
- 1
- National Offices
- 0
- Overseas Offices
- 39
- Associates
- 74
- Partners
While movies and entertainment belong to Hollywood, we here at Chambers Associate know a thing or two about recognizing a star. Well deserving a place on the Walk of Fame, this legal A-lister celebrates “a strong and well-respected history in LA.” Enter stage left, Greenberg Glusker: a single-office force renowned for its work for high-profile clients across the media and entertainment industry – with a range to match. In Chambers USA, the outfit receives a standing ovation worthy of Cannes for its corporate/M&A expertise, alongside critical acclaim for its environment, media & entertainment litigation, bankruptcy/restructuring, and real estate know-how. Over in Chambers High Net Worth, it receives further praise for its private wealth law offerings.
“Greenberg Glusker can do the same sophisticated work with interesting clients and complex cases, but in a way that is more lifestyle focused.”
Undoubtedly a standout choice for starry-eyed juniors, sources highlighted: “Greenberg Glusker can do the same sophisticated work with interesting clients and complex cases” as its BigLaw counterparts, “but in a way that is more lifestyle focused.” Equally as important to our interviewees was “that smaller firm experience that prioritizes teaching associates – which is the most important thing.” Coupled with incredibly friendly people and an attainable billable target, it makes for a “sustainable career,” our Los Angeles-based insiders happily concluded.
Summer Program
- 5
- Summer Places
At Greenberg Glusker, summers explore the various departments through rotation, gaining exposure to the work, and meeting associates and partners. Summers are also paired with a ‘big sibling’ mentor to help them navigate life at the firm over the ten weeks. There are also plenty of opportunities to socialize, with the associate committee hosting events throughout the season.
Strategy & Future
“We’re very well positioned in the legal market, primarily because of our size, structure, and culture,” managing partner Bob Baradaran reminds us, “We’re a one-office firm in Los Angeles that has been here for 65 years. We’re small enough that we’re nimble and can make all sorts of adjustments to pivot and function. But at the same time, we are large enough to work on very interesting, sophisticated matters, and have the resources to execute on that work,” with a 2:1 partner to associate ratio.
We’re steadily growing; we’re finding that we have been able to attract very talented individuals, not only from the top law schools, but the largest firms in the country – because they believe in our story,” Baradaran reveals. In fact, “we’ve never had as many lawyers as we do now. Today, we’re around 115 lawyers,” but, as Baradaran emphasizes, “we have no desire to be a 500-person, or even a 300-person firm, but a 10% to 15% growth in our lawyers is very positive, especially with good profitability in the process.”
And on that note, even with market fluctuations, the diversified nature of the firm’s practices means “we are small enough that despite what is happening in the domestic and international economy, and while we’re not immune, it doesn’t move the needle one way or another firmwide,” notes Baradaran. With a spread of mid-market companies, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and some large institutional work, “we’re not trying to be everything to everybody,” Baradaran explains, “Each of our departments have a focus in terms of what their practice is. We have a laser focus on serving those types of clients and building a law firm to service around those clients.”
Read more of our conversation with Bob Baradaran under the ‘Get Hired’ tab.
The Work
Juniors receive work through their relevant practice group leader, who ensures that associates have a good balance of work based on their availability, so “no one is overwhelmed.” Moreover, “if someone has an interest in a case or subject matter,” that is also considered.
Starting with the litigation practice, “it’s very diverse,” interviewees were quick to highlight, encompassing a wide range of general commercial, employment, insurance, consumer defense, environmental, probate, and real estate disputes. And unsurprisingly, disputes in the entertainment realm were common as well, from motion pictures to television, music, sports, and gaming matters. In turn, there is often an intellectual property element, either trademark or copyright related. Associates, being generalists, can work across the above. Given that “cases are staffed pretty leanly, there is more ownership,” sources agreed. As such, rookies get stuck in handling stock review, drafting motions – “actual substantive drafting” – and assisting with depositions, even potentially stepping up to the plate with oral arguments. They can also get involved in counseling: “For example, at the beginning of the year, the state passes new laws,” one described, “and we help them navigate how to comply with that.”
Litigation clients: Gerard Butler, Barstool Sports, Top Film Distribution Corp. Acted on behalf of an entertainment business management firm, NKSFB, in an alleged breach of contract and breach of confidence claim regarding the belief that touring musicians and bands could qualify for a COVID-19 relief grant program created by the federal government.
“Cases are staffed pretty leanly, there is more ownership…”
Moving along to the corporate practice, its offerings include M&A, joint ventures, financing, licensing and distribution agreements, as well as related intellectual property, tax, and employment law matters. Here, you’ll find a range of entertainment clients, branded consumer products, and technology companies that make up the books. As a rule of thumb, associate tasks look like carrying out due diligence, drafting disclosure schedules, assisting with general counsel, running compliance checks, and drafting ancillaries.
Corporate clients: Warner Music Group, Skims Body, Nutrawise. Represented Formation Nation on its acquisition of legal services provider, Legal Zoom, on a deal valued at $92 million.
Over in private client services, attorneys handle private wealth matters centered around estate and tax planning, including philanthropic planning, as well as contentious trusts and fiduciary litigation. There is a wide client base, comprised of high-profile tech founders, entertainers, family offices, investors, developers, and founders of multinational companies. So, “you have to understand a broad base of law – a lot of times, clients will come in with a specific problem, so the group is very collaborative,” insiders shared. With lots of estate planning work, juniors are tasked with drafting lots of trusts and wills – “the nuts and bolts drafting” – power of attorneys, and healthcare related documentation. There are also opportunities for client contact, particularly with intake meetings to “understand the assets and general strategizing.”
Private client services clients: Provided tax advice regarding the sale of a Bahamian island owned by a US family, alongside succession planning and wealth planning advice.
Career Development
Interviewees spoke highly of the firm’s investment in their professional development, citing a lean staffing model, on-the-job opportunities, client contact, mentorship, and formal training sessions. All newbies, including laterals, are assigned a ‘big sibling’ senior associate for any day-to-day questions, as well as a partner mentor for career advice. Sources valued that “guidance and mentorship is always there,” given the longstanding tenures of associates at the firm: “There is a culture of paying it back.” Practices host their own monthly updates covering new developments and case law. One-off tailored training programs are run as well; for example, junior litigators have deposition and oral argument workshops.
“If you bring in a client, even as a junior, you get credit for origination.”
Associates are also highly encouraged to get involved with business development early on. In fact, “the firm is incredibly unique with its marketing budget, which can be used for industry conferences or other marketing opportunities,” insiders highlighted, with associates putting together their own plan each year. The budget also extends to taking clients to dinner, authoring articles, and giving presentations. Moreover, “if you bring in a client, even as a junior, you get credit for origination.”
Regarding the path to partnership, sources agreed there is transparency for the non-equity tier: “Just last week, the managing partner had a Q&A, and one of the questions was about laying out the process and what we should consider,” an interviewee divulged. Overall, the consensus was that “it’s healthy and respectful; they want us to make Greenberg our professional home.”
Hours & Compensation
- No requirement
- Billable hours requirement
Juniors agreed that the firm’s 1,750 billable target is both “attainable and reasonable,” especially as it’s made up of an equal weighting of client billables and pro bono. While hours can vary, with busier periods arising due to deadlines or trials, sources described averaging a “manageable” 30 to 40 billables a week. Insiders valued the ability to maintain a work/life balance, as “people are respectful of your time. If something isn’t urgent, it doesn’t have to be done quickly for the sake of it!”
“It’s a good environment to work in. Everyone’s doors are open to chat about work or life.”
Associates are expected to be in the office three days a week, although teams like private client are in for all five: “It’s a good environment to work in,” one rookie reflected, “Everyone’s doors are open to chat about work or life.” As for compensation, the firm follows a lockstep model, allowing for the distribution of discretionary bonuses too. While the salaries aren’t quite market-matched, they have recently been increased to narrow the gap, and everyone agreed they were satisfactory “for the work that we do and to have a more reasonable lifestyle.”
Culture
Given the firm’s approach to career development, associates were quick to highlight that “people want to hear your thoughts. It’s a place where you need to take an active role, and if you’re willing to take the initiative, you will do well here.” Ultimately, we heard that “people who are eager, enthusiastic, and friendly” will fit right in. As a sign of the culture, an insider shared, “at the end of the year, associates review the partners, and that goes to the office managing partner. That is super unique.”
There are also plenty of events marked on the firm’s social calendar that highlight the sense of community at the firm. Memorable mentions include the daily newsletter which hosts a meme caption competition on Monday, allowing Tuesday for voting and Wednesday for announcing the winner. It also provides regular news about birthdays, baby announcements, and work anniversaries, or “restaurant closing updates with photos… except that restaurant stayed open, funny stuff like that.” There is also a weekly happy hour towards the end of the week, monthly birthday celebrations, and online coffee chats to welcome new hires. Occasions such as Halloween and Thanksgiving are marked, and there are numerous other events scattered throughout the year – including an annual attorney retreat!
Pro Bono
- 717
- Total Us Pro Bono Hours
- 6
- Average Pro Bono Hours Per Attorney
Everybody is encouraged to do at least 50 hours of pro bono a year, and with an unlimited creditable bucket, interviewees felt like it was very much supported. Opportunities are circulated frequently, we heard, making it easy to get involved. There is a good mix of short and long-term projects, many of which are focused on the local Los Angeles community. This includes helping distribute donations to food banks, legal clinics such as “helping tenants with potential eviction claims to know their rights,” veterans’ rights, and immigration cases. In particular, the firm has a relationship with the Alliance for Children’s Rights, assisting with guardianship and adoption cases. Evidently, “there are lots of opportunities for pro bono representation,” a insider shared, “People talk about how they enjoy the work, how important it is, and how helpful it is for their development.”
Inclusion
While acknowledging that Greenberg Glusker is a smaller firm, sources felt that “inclusion is always a point of emphasis.” We heard that the firm has a diversity committee and various sub-committees “promoting inclusion, as well as finding opportunities and events to sponsor.” Interviewees also highlighted that funding is often available for people to attend relevant external events. Cultural occasions like Black History Month and Latin American History Month are celebrated, and informative speakers are regularly brought into the firm to shed light on their significance.
Contact this law firm
Top Figures
- Los Angeles
- Largest US Office
- Undisclosed
- Revenue (£m)
- $210,000
- 1st Year Salary
- 2
- Partners Made
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