Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe
Best Companies rank: 95
To cope with a recessionary fall-off in demand for legal services, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe asked 80% of its 86 incoming employees to defer their fall 2009 start. But the law firm didn't leave them in the cold.
Orrick offered to match its novice lawyers with legal jobs at client companies and at non-profit and government agencies to get practical experience. Though it was a lot less than their original $160,000 starting salary, the firm offered associates $60,000 a year, as well as a $15,000 honorarium.
Many of the deferred employees started their careers at Orrick as early as January, earning their previously determined salaries. The firm plans a smaller roster of recruits next fall.
More galleries
