Overview
Introduction
Talk about history—Foley & Lardner was founded in Wisconsin when it was still a territory and not yet a state. From humble beginnings in Milwaukee in 1842 to substantial growth in the past 50 years, Foley has become a 26-office , 1,100-attorney force in the legal world. The firm is known for work in intellectual property, corporate law, and litigation—especially as these matters relate to the energy, healthcare, life science, innovative technology, and manufacturing sectors.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2023)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Foley & Lardner can claim both Barack Obama and Antonin Scalia as alumni but doesn’t brag about it. Consistently, despite exponentially expanding throughout its long history, Foley & Lardner has worked hard to remain true to its modest Midwestern roots. Although the firm has offices in major U.S. cities, its largest office remains in Milwaukee, and several other major offices are in the region. The firm looks for excellence in candidates but isn’t snobby about pedigree, regularly hiring top students from regional law schools in addition to T14 graduates. Although “lifestyle” and “BigLaw” don’t typically go hand in hand, Foley & Lardner is different; associates praise the firm's friendly, family-oriented culture in which work-life balance is achievable a...
About the Firm
Although Foley & Lardner handles a wide range of business matters, the majority of the firm’s major clients are in the automotive, energy, healthcare, life science, and technology fields. With an excellent healthcare practice and a client roster boasting corporate staples such as Harley-Davidson and Cummins, Milwaukee’s best firm has grown into an international operation while maintaining local allegiances.
Midwestern Roots, Global Reach
Foley & Lardner was founded in 1842 in Milwaukee when Asahel Finch and William Pitt Lynde opened shop before the city had even paved its roads. More than a century passed before the firm established a presence outside Wisconsin, creating a DC branch as it became the first Badger State firm to establish an office outside the state. From ...
2025 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “The day-to-day atmosphere is warm and caring. Foley & Lardner could easily be called ‘Family & Life’ because we get to have them.”
- “Great culture, overall. People are friendly with each other and are genuinely interested in helping when they can. The firm gives plenty of opportunities to socialize, especially during the summer months, and events tend to be well-attended. Associates are treated well and with respect by partners. Most partners are approachable and seem t...
Culture & Inclusion at Foley & Lardner LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm is really keen on hiring summers from schools where they have had successful summer associates transition to first-year associates in the firm. They appear to value the law school attended, grades, and journal experience.”
- “Foley hires from highly-ranked law schools and strong schools within its offices' markets. Foley looks for candidates who are personable, effective, and motivated. One important thing to know about Foley's recruiting is that most Foley offices give...
Perks & Benefits