General Firm Information: Associate and Lateral Hire Information
How many lawyers work at Groom?
We have over 90 lawyers in our one Washington, D.C. office, overlooking the White House.
For an associate position, what materials should I submit? To whom?
Please submit a resume and transcript to our Human Resources Department at recruiting@groom.com. Cover Letters are optional, and a writing sample may be requested during the interview process.
What’s the firm’s approach to supporting those with different backgrounds and experiences?
We actively recruit and welcome attorneys of all levels and all backgrounds to our firm. We value the unique perspectives that people with different backgrounds and experience bring to their work. We believe in providing the resources and support everyone needs to excel, and placing a high priority on respect and professionalism. Click here to learn more about our philosophy, commitment, and activities.
Do you have a written pro bono policy?
Yes, we have a written pro bono policy and a Pro Bono Committee to encourage and support our attorneys’ pro bono work. The firm recognizes 100 annual pro bono hours toward an attorney’s billable hours goal and approves additional hours for special projects. Click here to learn more about our Pro Bono policy.
How do your associates participate in the management and governance of the firm?
First, our associates serve on Groom committees, where they provide valuable input on firm management and governance. Since we’re a relatively small and collegial firm of 90+ attorneys who work together face-to-face or virtually, associates have frequent informal opportunities to contribute their ideas and concerns. We also hold periodic associate lunches where the managing principal discusses firm issues and responds to questions submitted anonymously. Leadership also solicits feedback on surveys and firm-wide virtual meetings, so important feedback can be collected and put into action.
What types of training and professional development opportunities does Groom offer employees?
Attorneys are encouraged to own their professional development. We reimburse attorneys for attendance at bar association meetings, seminars, legal education courses, and other professional training. We will also reimburse some costs for those wishing to pursue a law school course or an accredited Employee Benefits Law Certificate (or other related certificate program).
Does Groom cover bar dues and licensing fees for associates?
Yes. It’s part of our compensation and benefits package.
What’s the starting pay for an associate?
We compensate our associates well, with a starting salary that is competitive with the largest D.C. firms, and is currently $215,000.
How are bonuses awarded to associates?
We award associates annual bonuses both on hours-based criteria and on merit-based criteria.
What is included in Groom’s benefits package for associates?
Groom offers employees one of the most comprehensive and innovative benefits packages imaginable. This includes medical, dental and vision benefits, a flexible spending account, a health savings account (fully funded if you’re covered under one of our medical plans), paid parental leave, parent support resources, benefits support including back-up child care, full-time child care, adult and elder care and more, short- and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, commuter/transportation benefits, tuition and professional development reimbursement, generous time off, a profit sharing retirement plan, financial planning services, a comprehensive employee assistance program, an on-site fitness center, an on-site wellness room, a premium subscription to a wellness app, and more!
Do you offer domestic partner benefits?
Yes, attorneys may cover their domestic partner as a “dependent” for medical and dental benefits.
What technology is available to associates?
We make sure our attorneys have the right technology to get their work done, providing them state-of-the-art computers, smartphones, online research tools, and other materials.
Are there opportunities for hybrid work?
Yes, positions typically can be structured as a hybrid or remote work arrangement. Our approach to hybrid work fosters teamwork and collaboration with core collaboration days in the office.
As an associate, will I receive a mentor?
Yes, our Peer-to-Peer Program provides you with a more senior associate as a mentor, someone you’ll feel comfortable with, who will guide you and of whom you can freely ask questions. You will also be assigned a Principal mentor who can offer career guidance and help you develop substantive skills.
Do you have a casual dress policy?
Yes. We want colleagues to dress for their day and attire is typically casual. More business professional attire is expected for court and client meetings.
Summer Associate Program
From which law schools does Groom recruit?
We seek student applications from a number of accredited law schools across the country. You can look for Groom during on-campus interviewing virtually or on campus, or visit our Summer Associate page to learn more about our program.
If you have a particular interest in benefits, tax, health law, policy or litigation, please submit your application materials by email to recruiting@groom.com. Please attach to your email your resume, transcripts, and a brief writing sample. Undergraduate transcripts and law school transcripts are required. Students will need to provide their first semester fall grades as a supplement once available. Cover letters are optional, but encouraged. In your cover letter or email, please detail which of our practice areas are of interest to you and why.
When does the Summer Associate Program start? When does it end?
Typically, our summer program runs for approximately eight-to-ten weeks—beginning the week after Memorial Day and ending around the last week of July.
Are there opportunities for hybrid work?
Yes, our summer program includes both in-person and virtual working opportunities. At Groom, our attorneys work on a hybrid in-office and remote schedule. We require our summer associates to be in-office weekly on a regular basis, but allow flexibility for a hybrid schedule.
Does Groom permit a summer split with other law firms?
Yes, but it is not common. If a candidate has a genuine interest in our practices and the timing works well with our summer program, then a split summer is possible. We typically hire for the 2L summer.
Do you interview first-year law students?
Yes.
What do you look for in a law student?
We look for students with strong research and analytical skills, great interpersonal skills, the ability to effectively communicate results, and a work ethic that aligns with our core values. Students with a particular interest in benefits, health, retirement, policy, and/or litigation are encouraged to apply. We also look for students interested in working and living in Washington, D.C.
How many students participate in the summer program?
Our summer program usually has anywhere from two to five students. This allows each of our summer associates to get a personalized experience while also developing strong relationships among their summer associate class.
What do you pay summer associates?
Summer associates receive standard first-year associate pay, pro-rated. Our summer associate salary is currently $4,134 per week.
Are summer associates assigned mentors?
Yes. We assign each summer associate an individual mentor to show them the ropes, answer questions, and ensure they get traction right away with work assignments.
As a summer associate, will I receive assignments from all practice areas or just one?
You can expect to work on the same important matters that our principals are working on—in tax, benefits, health care, litigation and more. However, if you have a particular practice area in which you want to focus, we will do our best to prioritize those assignments for you. Assignments can come from any Groom attorney, however, an assigned attorney mentor helps monitor your workload.
How accessible are Groom principals to summer hires?
In many cases you’ll be working directly with a Groom principal. Our Principals are easily accessible and take the time to invest in our summers. We encourage you to reach out to other principals as well, not just the ones you will be working with. Their doors are always open to anyone who has questions or needs guidance.
What training do you provide summer associates?
In addition to your attorney mentor who will guide you through the summer and answer your questions, you’ll participate in many firm training programs designed to support your career as an associate at Groom. In the past, our trainings have included practice area-specific webinars and lunches, sessions on library and research techniques and how to succeed as an associate, and trial preparation simulations.
Are there pro bono opportunities for summer associates?
Yes. Our summer associates are encouraged to participate in any of our ongoing pro bono efforts. In the past our summers have contributed significantly to our active pro bono cases including legal research, drafting portions of briefs, and assisting with trial preparation. Click here to learn more about our pro bono efforts.
How are summer associates reviewed?
You’ll receive informal interim reviews, a mid-summer review, and a final review at the end of the summer. We also encourage summer associates to provide clear feedback to our team about their favorite program aspects, and any areas we can improve. We are always looking for ways to continue to provide summer associates with an excellent experience.
What social activities does Groom provide summer associates?
We organize many social events that our summer associates can participate in. These can include sports games, fine dining experiences, cooking classes, a boat cruise, happy hours, and an all-attorney gathering at a Principal’s home. You also can expect to participate in several lunches with Groom attorneys outside of the office as well as networking events to support your career development.
