Skip to main content

Pillsbury

Unverified

Houston, TX

About

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman is a sector-focused international firm that has built formidable practices in technology, energy, and construction. With approximately 680 attorneys headquartered in Houston and offices across the United States, London, and Asia, Pillsbury offers a focused platform that delivers deep industry expertise rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

Pillsbury's energy practice is a standout, including the world's top-ranked nuclear energy team with a 50-year track record. The firm was the first AmLaw 100 firm to launch a dedicated hydrogen practice, positioning it at the forefront of the energy transition. Its technology practice spans over 300 lawyers serving the full lifecycle of tech companies, and the firm's construction and real estate practice handles complex development and infrastructure projects worldwide.

The culture at Pillsbury is collegial and industry-focused. Because the firm organizes around sectors rather than just practice areas, associates develop genuine industry knowledge alongside legal skills. The firm's midsize profile means associates get meaningful responsibility and direct client interaction earlier than at many larger competitors.

Pillsbury's summer program uses a free-market system with approximately 30 summers. PPP is approximately $1.6 million. The firm recruits from law schools nationwide with particular interest in candidates who bring technical backgrounds in engineering, science, or technology. If you want to develop deep sector expertise in energy, tech, or construction while maintaining the benefits of a well-resourced international firm, Pillsbury is worth serious consideration.

Recruiting & Summer Program

Summer Class Size

42 associates

Summer Offer Rate

95%

Billable Hours

1,950 hours

Practice Areas & Rankings

Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

Practice AreaBandJurisdictions
ConstructionBand 1California, District of Columbia
Corporate / M&ABand 1California: Los Angeles & Surrounds, California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou
Energy / InfrastructureBand 1Nationwide
Food & Beverages: AlcoholBand 1Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 1Virginia: Northern
TaxBand 1California
Technology TransactionsBand 1Nationwide, District of Columbia
Transportation: Aviation: RegulatoryBand 1Nationwide
ConstructionBand 2Nationwide
Corporate / M&ABand 2Virginia: Northern
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 2District of Columbia
Insurance / ReinsuranceBand 2District of Columbia
Real EstateBand 2California: Northern, Virginia: Northern
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 2New York
Technology TransactionsBand 2Texas
Transportation: Aviation: FinanceBand 2Nationwide
White Collar DefenseBand 2New York
AntitrustBand 3California
Commercial LitigationBand 3District of Columbia
EnvironmentalBand 3District of Columbia
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 3Nationwide
Insurance / ReinsuranceBand 3Nationwide, Texas
Private EquityBand 3Nationwide, California
RetailBand 3Nationwide
TaxBand 3Florida
EnvironmentalBand 4Nationwide, California
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 4District of Columbia
Insurance / ReinsuranceBand 4California, New York
Leisure & HospitalityBand 4Nationwide
National Security / CFIUSBand 4Nationwide
Privacy / Data SecurityBand 4Nationwide
Real EstateBand 4California: Southern
TaxBand 4California: Northern
Technology TransactionsBand 4New York
Corporate / M&ABand 5Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 6Texas

Firm Profile

Vault Rank (2026)

#60

AmLaw Rank (FY2025)

#65

Founded

1868

Chair / Managing Partner

David Dekker

Partners

101

Attorneys

~680

Partnership Track

9 years

Billable Hours Target

1,950 hours

Summer Class Size (2025)

~40

Revenue (FY2025)

$939.1M

Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)

$1.4M

1st-Year Total Comp (2026)

$245,000+

PPP (FY2025)

$2.9M

Offices (9 locations)

Houston, TX(HQ)
New York, NY
Washington DC, DC
San Francisco, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Palo Alto, CA
San Diego, CA
Nashville, TN
Austin, TX
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