Polsinelli

This growing US-focused outfit is a real wiz when it comes to matters of healthcare, real estate, and financial services.

About the Firm

Follow the yellow brick road and you’ll quickly find one of the fastest growing US-only firms: Kansas City’s very own Polsinelli. “We’re not necessarily trying to be the largest law firm in the world, but be at the heart of American business,” CEO Chase Simmons headlines. Of course, there was no magic involved in Polsinelli’s growth, nor was it driven by mega-mergers. “We’ve had a lot of growth that’s been spurred by not mergers, but people wanting to join our organization and be part of what we’re up to,” says Simmons. Polsinelli can be found in Missouri and consists of a 27-office network across the States, serving mid-market companies across the healthcare, financial services, real estate, life sciences, and technology industries.

Our colleagues over at Chambers USA certainly acknowledge Polsinelli’s expertise, with tips of the hat for the firm’s work across healthcare, real estate, tax, employee benefits & executive compensation, insurance, intellectual property, and labor & employment in Missouri, as well as nods to corporate/M&A and litigation: general commercial. Nationwide, Polsinelli is recognized as top tier for its healthcare privacy & data security know-how.

"I summered here and the culture of the firm was so fantastic I wanted to come back.”

It’s no secret that brains aren’t hard to find in BigLaw, but Polsinelli’s associates were seeking out a different edge to complement the expertise on offer. “I didn’t want to work somewhere where I’m not valued as an individual or employee,” an insider shared, “I summered here and the culture of the firm was so fantastic I wanted to come back.” This is coupled with notable mentions of “investment of time and capital into training up young attorneys,” mentorship, and the eight-year track to non-equity partnership. On top of it all, the firm’s increasingly competitive compensation model is “a very welcome change,” associates highlighted.

Most junior associates on our list could be found in Missouri with other notable hubs including St Louis, Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and Nashville.

Strategy & Future

Among the ever-changing landscape of law, “the most notable thing for us is we’ve stuck to our values,” Simmons shares, explaining, “We had our best year ever last year: a ton of growth, profitability growth and client growth, so we feel great about all those things whilst navigating all this uncertainty.”

Polsinelli’s strategy is to continue on its trajectory. This includes focusing on the mid-market corporate realm, healthcare, financial services, real estate, life sciences, and technology industries, as Simmons outlines. A particular development in recent years has been the growth of “the data center practice which is really a combination of our tech, real estate and energy practices,” Simmons highlights, “There is a lot of data center work and related to that is there is a lot of AI work on the intellectual property front.”

Internally, the firm has been focused on the implementation of artificial intelligence as well. “The way of thinking about using the tools is important, so we’ve also invested a lot in that aspect,” Simmons tells us. Most importantly, he emphasizes the importance of “making sure we’re still developing excellent lawyers with great judgement, critical thinking, morals and ethics, all while utilizing these tools.”

The investment was certainly appreciated by associates, who highlighted “constant training sessions and reminders to keep us up to speed with developments.” Tools are readily available throughout practices, as Simmons notes, “I believe 90% of our lawyers used AI in client service last year and over 50% use it every single day...One of our associates invented a tool that’s used in M&A for project management, which we utilize a lot.”

Read more from our conversation with Chase Simmons under the ‘Get Hired’ tab.

Polsinelli is recognized as The Elite for AI Integration in our 2026 associate satisfaction survey.

Summer Program

Polsinelli’s ten-week summer program was described by many appreciative associates as the result of “a lot of time and effort.” During their stint at the firm, summers are able to explore the various practices on offer. Assignments are handed out through a centralized staffing system which allows associates to pick up a range of work. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted my career to look like, so I took work from a bunch of different areas,” an associate shared. As a result, participants are able to get an insight into what legal work really looks like, while simultaneously getting a feel for what it means to be an associate at the firm. Summers get to work with associates and shareholders on client matters, drafting legal docs such as motions and memos, interpreting laws and rulings, as well as analyzing legal and business data.

Alongside assignments, there are also a ton of social events summers attend to get to know others at the firm. The biggest is a retreat in Kansas City where all summer associates are flown to meet shareholders and attend a variety of welcome events. For future participants, an associate imparted some wisdom: “I would say soak up as much of the experience as you can – it’s not intended to be stressful. Learn and meet as many people as possible!”

The Work

Associates typically find work through a free-market system, though associates in some departments noted this is also accompanied by a form to fill out indicating capacity. The general sentiment among interviewees was appreciation for the flexibility the system allowed them to pursue their interests while also building relationships with those they enjoy working with. Sources noted that while it takes some time to “learn how to manage a workflow and expectations, you’re able to find out what you can realistically handle.”

Career Development

Juniors were pleased with the structures put in place to assist their professional development. One common highlight was the mentorship available, as one source said, “Most lawyer training is like an apprenticeship with partners (and associates), and that has been great.” Interviewees spoke highly of the formal and organic mentor relationships they’d built with others at the firm. To support efforts towards mentoring, first and second year associates can count up to 35 hours of mentor-time (25 of which contributes towards shadowing with the remaining 10 allocated for mindfulness training), which counts towards their billable targets.

Associates also have access to Polsinelli University, a training platform with a multitude of resources. To bolster this, practices host their own training sessions as well. To give a flavor of what is covered: those in the real estate practice recently had a session about client development, while litigators had a how-to on motions, covering “practical advice, best strategies and common pitfalls.” This group also has a trial academy to look forward to.

In terms of career progression, the firm has a designated program known as the Polsinelli Path to provide associates with guidance on their long-term career goals, whether it be working towards the eight-year non-equity partnership track, or making counsel, or even have the firm help you find a role working in-house. “It’s something I’m looking forward to,” one junior enthused. As part of the program, in their fourth year, associates select a designated ‘pathfinder’ (a career mentor), who is either a shareholder or a practice group leader (with whispers that someone was bold enough to request the firm’s CEO as their pathfinder!).

Hours & Compensation

Interviewees reckoned the 1,900 hour target was achievable. “It’s about a 40-hour work week, with some cushion, so I’ve found it reasonable,” one source calculated. Within the target are buckets of up to 25 hours shadowing, and 10 hours of mindfulness programs, for first and second years and laterals. Pro bono hours are uncapped.

At the fourth year mark, associates can opt to either continue on the 1,800 or 2,000 billable target pathways. “You’re able to take a bit of a step back, and the firm meets people where they are at,” said one associate. Up until that point, all associates receive market rate lockstep compensation; thereafter, salary is dependent on the market where an associate is based and their billable track. Bonuses are lockstep for first to third-year associates, and are discretionary from fourth year onwards.

As for the ability to take vacation, sources reassured, “It’s completely fine.” Ultimately, “people are willing to help shoulder the burden when you’re gone as they will also want to take a trip at some point – it speaks to the broader culture,” an insider divulged.

Culture

With offices spread across the nation, the firm’s roots are on display in varying degrees. “As a whole, people are nice and enjoyable to be around and work with,” shared one associate, adding, “I’ve made more friends than I thought I would, and I have friends in other offices from talking so frequently over the phone!” This cohesive culture goes hand in hand with the firm’s emphasis on mentorship, according to our sources: “The firm does a great job with mentoring and training associates up.”

The firm recently introduced an in-office policy requiring junior associates to be in-office on a full-time basis, which received mixed reactions from associates due to the shift in flexibility. That said, juniors acknowledged, “It’s a collaborative environment. It allows you to be in someone’s office asking a question, strategizing, or listening to a call – it provides that mentorship towards becoming a lawyer.” Additionally, as associates gain seniority, there is more flexibility provided on in-office time depending on practice group and client needs.

Pro Bono

Associates can count an unlimited amount of pro bono towards their billable targets. “Pro bono is encouraged,” an insider enthused, adding “People have ribbons add to their office doors for being pro bono champions.” Sources did caveat, however, that your availability to take on pro bono depended on how busy you were with other work, and whether or not the shareholders you work with take on pro bono as well. As a source explained, “If they are active, it’s easy – if not, it’s a little harder.”

Pro bono opportunities are circulated weekly and range from advising non-profits, small businesses, and underrepresented founders, to assisting at legal clinics, improving healthcare access for underserved and vulnerable communities, and supporting community redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization initiatives. The firm’s recent addition of a dedicated pro bono counsel was seen as a positive step, with insiders noting: “The firm is looking to put more into pro bono. It’s going to be easier to get involved with a more structured process.”