Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

Fried Frank holds Chambers Band 1 rankings in private equity, corporate M&A, and real estate, three of the most competitive practice areas in the market. The firm is a go-to advisor for major PE sponsors and routinely handles the largest and most complex buyouts, fund formations, and real estate transactions. Its asset management, capital markets, and restructuring practices round out a transactional platform that competes head-to-head with firms three times its size.

The culture is meritocratic and collegial, with a lean staffing approach that gives associates significant responsibility early. Summer associates can choose to focus on a particular practice group or sample multiple areas, the firm accommodates both approaches. One-on-one mentoring from partners and associates is a hallmark of the program, and the firm's goal is for every summer to receive and accept an offer.

Fried Frank runs a free-market summer program with approximately 80 summers across a 10-week program. The firm has historically achieved nearly 100 percent offer rates. If you want elite transactional work, direct PE sponsor exposure, and the kind of lean staffing that accelerates your development, Fried Frank deserves serious attention during your recruiting process.