Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Cleary Gottlieb has operated internationally since its founding in 1946. Its own account emphasizes a single integrated partnership, with offices in major financial centers sharing resources across borders. The firm distinguishes that structure from a domestic firm using overseas offices mainly as satellite locations.

The practice brings together lawyers across industries, jurisdictions and legal disciplines on domestic and international business problems. Cleary describes developing local talent in the countries where it operates as part of that approach. Its international identity therefore involves the composition of teams and the way the partnership operates, as well as the location of its offices.

Cleary's published governance model also provides useful detail. It describes seniority-based lawyer compensation, partnership participation in important firm decisions, and committees handling day-to-day matters. Associates participate in committees covering subjects such as professional development, recruiting and inclusion. These organizational features are more concrete than broad claims about culture and help explain the firm's emphasis on collective responsibility for client work and institutional decisions.