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History: and the law firms said, let there be a merger Kilpatrick Stockton LLP debuted onto the legal scene in early 1997, the result of the merger of two distinguished Southern firms. Kilpatrick & Cody was founded in Atlanta in 1874; Petree Stockton opened its doors in 1918 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Forty percent of Kilpatrick partners remain in the firm's three North Carolina offices, although the firm's single largest office is in Atlanta. The firm now employs over 475 lawyers in those cities as well as Augusta and Washington, DC, distinguishing it as one of the nation's 50 largest law firms. Kilpatrick has maintained an overseas presence since 1980 and currently operates offices in London, Brussels, and Stockholm. Gateway to Latin America For the past several years, the firm has represented Central and South American companies in U.S.-related transactions, such as stock and bond offerings and other financings. U.S. clients retain Kilpatrick to handle commercial transactions and acquisitions in Latin America as well. Kilpatrick has seized the opportunity to establish itself in Miami, which has become a center for technology practice in Latin America. The firm merged with Concepcion Sexton in January 2000, naming founding partner Carlos F. Concepcion (who will continue to run the Florida branch) a Kilpatrick Stockton partner. A Rosa by any other name Kilpatrick partner Joseph Beck found himself in a curious position last year. In November 1999, Beck successfully defended rap group Outkast and its recording companies against a suit brought by civil rights icon Rosa Parks, who claimed Outkast had not sought her permission to use her name as the title of one of its songs on its double-platinum album Aquemini. At the same time, Beck was arguing that CBS had wrongfully failed to obtain authorization from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family before selling videotapes that include a large segment of King's "I Have a Dream" speech. In one case, he sought to establish that Parks has no right to prevent her own name being used; in the other, he insisted on the King family's right to control the speeches of MLK, Jr. Although he was criticized by his opponents (and initially even by some of his colleagues) for defending Outkast in the Parks case, Beck stands by his argument that no celebrity can keep his or her name from being used in the title of a song or other work protected by the First Amendment. Political conscience South Carolina's affection for the flying of the Confederate flag has sparked heated discussion in the corridors of Kilpatrick Stockton. In February 2000, the firm e-mailed all of its attorneys to inform them that the annual associate's weekend would be moved from its traditional South Carolina site to Sandestin, Florida. The e-mail said the retreat locale was changed "because we, as a firm, are committed to diversity and mutual respect" and "to ensure that participation will be comfortable for all our associates and partners and recruitment guests." The firm did not join the state tourism boycott led by the NAACP, and no particular person or group at Kilpatrick had protested the planned locale of the retreat. Rather, Kilpatrick's Attorney Resources Committee made the decision based on its commitment "to creating and maintaining an environment that's comfortable for everyone involved," according to hiring partner Evelyn Coats in The Fulton County Daily Report. Public service commitment The firm has made a very firm commitment to pro bono work, encouraging all associates and partners to devote a minimum of 50 hours per year to public service work. Kilpatrick represents indigent clients through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation Saturday Lawyers Program and the Volunteer Lawyer's Program in North Carolina. That state's bar association recently honored the firm for "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Law Firm" for spending 5,730 hours in one year on pro bono efforts. In addition to volunteer programs, each office is involved in local community programs, such as Habitat for Humanity and the Legal Aid Society's Grandparents Adoption Program in Atlanta. Attorneys have represented low-income tenants with housing disputes through various legal services offices in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and Augusta. Augusta lawyers plan fundraisers and sit on the board of the Ronald McDonald House. The DC office is a member of the Civil Pro Bono Panel and assist in evaluating cases and represent litigants on issues concerning prisoners' rights cases and Freedom of Information Act cases.
Sizzling job market You might find yourself employed at Kilpatrick without even showing up. Since it's a "hot market," summer associates are generally "given full-time offers prior to joining the summer program," according to a corporate fifth-year. Most recruits are from "top 20 law schools, plus the University of Georgia." A fifth-year Atlanta litigator says "it's easy to get hired if you have excellent grades. If not, you should try to get an inside contact in the firm to spread your name around." Several associates admit that while the firm doesn't "pay enough to be highly selective," Kilpatrick "tends to make offers to candidates who are looking for more than a paycheck." A first-year IP associate in DC finds that Kilpatrick's selectivity is "not necessarily in the traditional sense. Instead of relying on the traditional elitist notion of what constitutes a qualified applicant, Kilpatrick looks closely for individuals who are perfect matches."
Raise the roof Kilpatrick's big recruiting news in 2000 was the pay hike for first-year lawyers. As of February 2000, Atlanta and DC first-year associates were pulling down $100,000, while North Carolina associates earned $85,000 and Augusta, GA newcomers netted $75,000. In addition, associates are eligible for a $5,000 bonus for producing 2,000 billable hours and for meeting "personal development plans," according to the firm. To top it off, the firm will pay another 20 percent of an associate's salary for those who "make an outstanding contribution to the firm, the profession, or the community." 'This firm is preoccupied with gender equality' There is a curious gendered phenomenon at Kilpatrick. Insiders say that while there are few part-time working mothers in the associate ranks, the partnership is loaded with them. An employment associate in Atlanta explains that in that practice group, "there are three female associates for every one male. The partners are the opposite ratio, but one of the most powerful partners in the group is a female who works a reduced-hours schedule. We have two reduced-hours partners and three reduced-hours associates." Others paint a less rosy picture. "There is definitely a penalty for women who take time to have children - slowing them down at least a year on the partnership track," claims a mid-level associate. "It is, hands down, the most unattractive feature of the firm for me. Then again, I don't know that any firm really has a positive take on motherhood." Minorities and gays: a long way to go "The efforts are there" for minority recruitment at Kilpatrick, "especially with new associates," but there's "still a long way to go at the senior associate and partner levels," say insiders. While many associates sense that "the firm's decision to switch its associates' weekend from South Carolina showed particular sensitivity to these issues," they still wonder how to attract and retain minorities. As for gays and lesbians at the firm, "the general policy seems to be 'don't ask, don't tell,'" one contact observes. "In the Southern offices, where there are some very conservative individuals," the issue is "not spoken about," leading a third-year attorney to assess the environment as "average" in its reception of homosexuals. In terms of pure practicality, the firm has "no domestic partner benefits," which, according to a first-year Atlanta associate, "hurts heterosexual cohabitants as well as gays and lesbians." 'Not exceptionally social' but 'very warm and open' While some associates lament what they see as a "transition to the adoption of a management that places great emphasis on efficiency and profitability," Kilpatrick Stockton has a long way to go before turning into a sweat-soaked billing factory. While most concur the firm is "conservative," few go so far as to call it "stuffy;" one insider points out that in the Raleigh tech practice, jeans are common. As a matter of fact, most associates credit Kilpatrick with careful attention to individual needs. "After lunch I take a nap," says one associate. "That's considered my business. No one bothers me." The more family-oriented associates find Kilpatrick to be a welcoming haven as well. "A children's soccer game is just as important as a client meeting," says one Atlanta parent and associate. This attitude feeds on itself; as one associate states, "Being nice and playing nice are key to getting ahead at Kilpatrick."
Kim S. Dechiara Recruiting Manager Suite 28001 1100 Peachtree Street Atlanta GA 30309 4530 (404) 815 6407
Alston & Bird;Hunton & Williams;King & Spalding More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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