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Mayer Brown LLP

Unverified

Chicago, IL

About

Mayer Brown is a global banking and finance powerhouse that consistently flies under the radar of law students who fixate on New York-centric firms, and that is their loss. Headquartered in Chicago with approximately 1,730 attorneys across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Mayer Brown offers a truly integrated global platform anchored by one of the deepest finance practices in the profession.

The firm's banking and finance group is a market leader, earning Chambers Band 1 rankings and recognition as Cross-Border Banking and Finance Law Firm of the Year. Mayer Brown's capabilities span acquisition finance, leveraged lending, structured finance, derivatives, capital markets, and project finance. The firm also has strong litigation, intellectual property, and real estate practices that benefit from the firm's global infrastructure.

Associates consistently describe Mayer Brown's culture as genuinely warm and supportive. The atmosphere is described as relaxed, with people who are approachable and authentic. The firm invests in career development and has been recognized as a Strong Performer for associate development. Pro bono is encouraged with accessible opportunities across the firm.

Mayer Brown's summer program uses a free-market system with approximately 70 summers and a 2,000-hour billable expectation. PPP sits at approximately $2.6 million, and the firm's revenue has been growing steadily, reaching nearly $2 billion. The firm recruits from top law schools with particular strength in Chicago, New York, and Washington DC. Candidates with genuine interest in finance, banking, or cross-border transactions will find this firm deeply rewarding.

Recruiting & Summer Program

Summer Class Size

89 associates

Summer Offer Rate

96%

Billable Hours

2,000 hours

Practice Areas & Rankings

Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

Practice AreaBandJurisdictions
AntitrustBand 1Illinois
Banking & FinanceBand 1Nationwide
Capital Markets / SecuritiesBand 1Nationwide
Commercial LitigationBand 1Nationwide, District of Columbia, Illinois
Corporate / M&ABand 1Texas
EnvironmentalBand 1Illinois
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 1Nationwide, Illinois
Labor & EmploymentBand 1Illinois
Project FinanceBand 1Nationwide
TaxBand 1Nationwide
Technology TransactionsBand 1Nationwide, Illinois
Banking & FinanceBand 2Illinois
Commercial LitigationBand 2New York, Utah
Corporate / M&ABand 2Illinois, Utah
HealthcareBand 2Nationwide
Insurance / ReinsuranceBand 2Nationwide, Illinois, New York
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 2Illinois
International ArbitrationBand 2Nationwide
Labor & EmploymentBand 2District of Columbia
Real EstateBand 2Illinois
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 2New York
TaxBand 2Illinois, New York
Technology TransactionsBand 2District of Columbia
Transportation: Road (Automotive)Band 2Nationwide
AntitrustBand 3Nationwide
Appellate LitigationBand 3Nationwide
Banking & FinanceBand 3North Carolina
Commercial LitigationBand 3California
ConstructionBand 3Illinois
Labor & EmploymentBand 3Nationwide
Privacy / Data SecurityBand 3Nationwide
Real EstateBand 3District of Columbia, North Carolina, Texas
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 3Illinois
White Collar DefenseBand 3Illinois
Banking & FinanceBand 4Texas
Capital Markets / SecuritiesBand 4New York
Corporate / M&ABand 4Nationwide
Energy / InfrastructureBand 4Nationwide
Food & Beverages: Regulatory & LitigationBand 4Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 4District of Columbia, New York
Private EquityBand 4Nationwide
Real EstateBand 4Nationwide, California: Southern
TaxBand 4California: Northern
Technology TransactionsBand 4California
AntitrustBand 5District of Columbia
Banking & FinanceBand 5New York
Corporate / M&ABand 5New York
Intellectual Property (Patent)Band 5New York
TaxBand 5District of Columbia
White Collar DefenseBand 5Nationwide

Firm Profile

Vault Rank (2026)

#44

AmLaw Rank (FY2025)

#27

Founded

1881

Chair / Managing Partner

Jeremy Clay

Partners

239

Attorneys

~1,730

Partnership Track

8 years

Billable Hours Target

2,000 hours

Summer Class Size (2025)

~90

Revenue (FY2025)

$2.2B

Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)

$1.3M

1st-Year Total Comp (2026)

$245,000+

PPP (FY2025)

$3.2M

Offices (14 locations)

Chicago, IL(HQ)
New York, NY
Washington DC, DC
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Charlotte, NC
Palo Alto, CA
London
Paris
Frankfurt
Hong Kong
Singapore
Beijing
Visit firm website

Data sources: Financial data from AmLaw 200, FY2025. Practice area rankings from Chambers USA 2026. Summer program data from Chambers Associate 2026. Office locations from firm websites. Last verified: March 27, 2026. View our data methodology

Mayer Brown LLP | Summer Associate Program & Rankings | BigLaw Bear