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Farella Braun + Martel LLP

One Bush Street
Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 954-4400

Overview

Profile Opener

Introduction

Founded in the Bay Area in 1962 with three attorneys, Farella Braun + Martel LLP is now a midsize firm and home to over 120 attorneys. It enjoys a solid reputation for corporate transactions and complex commercial litigation, particularly impressive credentials in the renewable energy industry, and—uniquely—a wine industry team in [its] Napa Valley office serving vintners and distributors. The firm has been nationally recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, Law360

Firm Stats


Total No. Attorneys (2024)

100 - 150

No. of Partners Named (2023)

2

Featured Rankings

Top 150 Under 150


No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)

2


No. of Summer Associates (2023)

3 total (3 2L)


Base Salary

1st year: $205,000

Vault Verdict

For associates who want to be in northern California and experience top-shelf work opportunities in beautiful settings with engaged partners, look no further than Farella. Candidates typically come from top Bay Area schools and have high grades, work experience, and a clerkship background. Coworkers are personable and supportive, and they enjoy socializing together, but not to the detriment of their personal lives. Partners are receptive to associate questions and input while caring about associate well-being and development, which are realized through associates working one-on-one with partners and intensive, firmwide trainings and workshops. Lateral hires are onboarded and made part of the team right away. Lean staffing leads to engaging, challenging work and client contact, tho...

About the Firm

Headquartered in Northern California, Farella Braun + Martel specializes in sophisticated transactions and complex commercial, civil, and criminal litigation. The firm and its attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Benchmark Litigation, Chambers USA, U.S. News—Best Lawyers and Law360

From Trolleys to Vines

Founded in 1962 as a three-lawyer firm in San Francisco, Farella Braun + Martel now has a legal team of more than 120 attorneys and a presence in Napa Valley. A regional firm with a national reach, Farella represents multinational corporations, privately owned entities, exempt organizations, and private clients in business transactions and complex litiga...

Associate Reviews


 

  • “The firm's culture is informal and supportive. Lawyers frequently socialize together organically. There are also numerous firm-sponsored social events. The day-to-day atmosphere is friendly, and lawyers and staff interact very collegially.”
  • “The firm sponsors social events, which are well-attended. People here are smart, interesting, and personable. I genuinely enjoy interacting with my colleagues.”
  • “The people here are so great to work...

Culture & Inclusion at Farella Braun + Martel LLP

"Farella is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion for all attorneys and staff. Everyone at the firm is respected and included irrespective of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability. Our diversity and inclusiveness makes us stronger as a firm and enables us to deliver superlative legal advice to our clients. Farella recognizes that the number of women and diverse partners in law firms needs to improve and is committed to being part of the solution. We have been a leader..."

Getting Hired Here


  • “I believe the firm's hiring process is very competitive. The firm looks closely at grades, prior work experience, and clerkships. While there is no stock type, the firm values associates who will be a good ‘fit’—i.e., engaged, intelligent, and personable. The firm values its ‘nice, friendly’ culture and looks for people who exhibit those qualities. The firm frequently hires summer associates from Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, and UC Law SF (formerly Hastings). It ca...

Perks & Benefits