Pillsbury
UnverifiedHouston, 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 Area | Band | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Band 1 | California, District of Columbia |
| Corporate / M&A | Band 1 | California: Los Angeles & Surrounds, California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou |
| Energy / Infrastructure | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Food & Beverages: Alcohol | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Intellectual Property (General / Trademark) | Band 1 | Virginia: Northern |
| Tax | Band 1 | California |
| Technology Transactions | Band 1 | Nationwide, District of Columbia |
| Transportation: Aviation: Regulatory | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Construction | Band 2 | Nationwide |
| Corporate / M&A | Band 2 | Virginia: Northern |
| Entertainment / Media / Sports | Band 2 | District of Columbia |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 2 | District of Columbia |
| Real Estate | Band 2 | California: Northern, Virginia: Northern |
| Restructuring / Bankruptcy | Band 2 | New York |
| Technology Transactions | Band 2 | Texas |
| Transportation: Aviation: Finance | Band 2 | Nationwide |
| White Collar Defense | Band 2 | New York |
| Antitrust | Band 3 | California |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 3 | District of Columbia |
| Environmental | Band 3 | District of Columbia |
| Government Regulatory / Public Policy | Band 3 | Nationwide |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 3 | Nationwide, Texas |
| Private Equity | Band 3 | Nationwide, California |
| Retail | Band 3 | Nationwide |
| Tax | Band 3 | Florida |
| Environmental | Band 4 | Nationwide, California |
| Government Regulatory / Public Policy | Band 4 | District of Columbia |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 4 | California, New York |
| Leisure & Hospitality | Band 4 | Nationwide |
| National Security / CFIUS | Band 4 | Nationwide |
| Privacy / Data Security | Band 4 | Nationwide |
| Real Estate | Band 4 | California: Southern |
| Tax | Band 4 | California: Northern |
| Technology Transactions | Band 4 | New York |
| Corporate / M&A | Band 5 | Nationwide |
| Intellectual Property (General / Trademark) | Band 6 | Texas |
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)
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