| Baker & Botts | One Shell Plaza, 901 Louisiana Street, Suite 3000, Houston, TX 77002 |
| www.bakerbotts.com | (713) 229-1234 Fax: (713) 229-1522 |
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Although Baker Botts LLP has been around for 160 years, 1999 saw this good ol' Texas firm taking steps to modernize its image for the new millenium. With strong energy and international practices, Baker Botts proudly claims the 49th slot on this year's Vault.com Top 50.
They almost remember the Alamo
Baker Botts was a fixture in the Houston area before the United States annexed the Republic of Texas. Its 1840 founding makes it the oldest law firm in the Lone Star State. In the nearly 160 years since, the firm has managed to keep up with the times, and today employs about 550 lawyers. Baker Botts began expanding outside the Houston market in the 1972 with the establishment of an office in Washington, DC, and furthered its Texas presence by opening branches in Austin and Dallas during the 1980s. It took on the Big Apple in 1992, and five years later merged its New York office with intellectual property specialists Brumbaugh, Graves, Donohue & Raymond.
Freshly punctuated with raises and perks
2000 has been a year of change for this Texas stalwart. Baker Botts had a notable departure in January 2000: the ampersand in the firm's name was dropped in order to project a sleeker, more modern image for a firm often characterized as "old-line." The firm's Houston office also decided to allow associates to dress business casual year-round (this policy, generous for offices mired in Southern heat, varies from office to office.) Perhaps the most important change, as far as associates are concerned, was the raising of associates' salaries. All Texas first-years had their base salaries raised to $110,000, and associates at the same level in the New York office will receive $125,000. The new perks have been well received by Baker Botts' attorneys. In a 1999 quality of life poll conducted by Texas Lawyer, the firm was ranked fifth in the state, up five spots from the previous year.
Oily lawyers
To play with the big boys of the Texan legal world, a law firm must be a major player in energy work. Baker Botts does not disappoint. In 1999, the firm represented Conco Inc. in its $4.4 billion IPO and its subsequent $12 billion split-off divestiture by parent E.I. du Pont. That same year, a team led by corporate partner J. David Kirkland, Jr. represented Schlumberger Ltd. in a $3.2 billion merger of its offshore drilling business, Sedco Forex Offshore, with Transocean Offshore Inc. The new company, Transocean Sedco Forex is now the world's largest offshore drilling company. Also in 1999, the firm advised PennzEnergyCo. in its $2.3 billion acquistion by Devon Energy Corp. Furthermore, partner Joe Poff assisted Reliant Energy Inc. in its $2.4 billion acquisition of N.V. UNA and the $2.1 billion acquisition of power plants from Sithe Energies.
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Local focus
Baker Botts likes to homegrow its hires. In 1998, the University of Texas was the top law school from which the firm drew both summer and first-year associates. The University of Houston, Baylor, and Southern Methodist University were also near the top of the list. Additionally, insiders say, "We get a lot of candidates from Harvard and Chicago." In all, the firm recruits at more than 30 schools but appears unwilling to spend the money to widen the student pool. "When I first came, we went to more schools," says a senior associate. "We go to fewer now. It's a budgetary issue. We've been less successful at Yale and Stanford, so we make fewer recruiting efforts there now." Another insider notes, "we generally only consider law students from reputable law schools whose grades are above a minimum cut-off, which varies by school. We generally only consider lateral candidates whose school and grades would have qualified them for consideration as a law student."
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Completely aerated
Baker Botts "has a reputation of being stuffy," but associates claim that this is simply "not true." Insiders report that the firm is "very professional without being stiff or overly formal. People are friendly and respectful," adding that "the 'S.O.B. factor' is very low." An attorney in Houston notes that the firm is "generally conservative, but in that compassionate conservative sort of way. People are very friendly and not at all difficult to get to know. [They] do tend to be very polite - and that may come across as overly formal or stuffy to some people." Associates note that "Baker Botts is proud of its long history," and that "the younger offices (like Dallas) are considerably more dynamic and entrepreneurial than others (like Houston)." However, even Houstonians find Baker to be "relatively laid back compared to other firms of this size." As one source observes, "Quality is king. The firm will do everything possible to make you the best lawyer you can be. If you demonstrate your competence, you'll be rewarded. There is a very professional and mutually respectful relationship between partners and associates."
Social but not yee-haw crazy
Baker Botts may not be the wildest firm in Texas, but associates still manage to have a good time. "I came to work here because everyone that I met was very nice, genuine and intelligent," an attorney recalls. A fifth year reports, "Most of my best friends work at the firm, both because I have made great friends here and because I have recruited my existing friends to come practice here." An IP specialist reveals that Baker even hosts "monthly card games." There is still some trouble regarding social interaction, mostly due to a lack of interdepartmental socializing. "While there is a lot of social interaction between the lawyers in my section," an associate explains, "there is only modest social interaction with lawyers from other sections." A Houston-based attorney notes, "The corporate and trial departments use different elevator banks, which creates more of a social division between the departments than there might be otherwise."
Pro bono flexibility
Baker Botts was recently recognized for "Outstanding Contribution to the Houston Volunteer Lawyer Programs" by a large firm. Baker Botts associates seem puzzled by this fact. In spite of this performance, attorneys find that pro bono work is "accepted, but not encouraged." Other insiders claim that "you can do as much or as little pro bono work as you can afford to do." According to one associate, "doing pro bono work is certainly recognized as providing a valuable contribution, but it does not count as 'billable' time." Another associate continues, stating, "The current workload from paying clients doesn't allow much time for pro bono." An eighth year disagrees, explaining that "although pro bono hours are not credited toward expected billing levels, a significant pro bono matter is generally viewed as a valid, acceptable reason for lower billable hours, provided that it doesn't occur year after year. The firm encourages pro bono activity, but looks down on an associate that consistently fails to meet budgeted billing levels for any reason."
Wanting women
Numerous Baker Botts associates report that "women are treated in a very professional manner, with a great deal of respect, and in all respects equally as men in our firm." Several female associates, however, have a different take on the firm's efforts - especially when it comes to working mothers. "While a reduced hour option is offered, it is not very attractive," one begins. "First, it requires a departure from the partner track, unlike other comparable firms (Vinson & Elkins to name one). Second, there is absolutely no internal support for the reduced hour lawyer. That is, you are required to police your own hours and make up for busy weeks when and if you can. Also, you are told that you should always appear available to help, rather than simply explain your reduced hour schedule. In sum, Baker Botts' attempt at a part-time program fails in comparison to other comparable firms." Another female source indicates that "there are no senior women to mentor in several sections, including trial, corporate, and intellectual property. Most important, the management does not seem to be the least bit concerned about this issue."
No official diversity policy Some attorneys are displeased with the firm's lack of diversity. Insiders note that Baker Botts' "lack of African-Americans is questionable." Another agrees, saying, "I just don't see the efforts." In regards to hiring of gay and lesbian attorneys, a source relays, "It is our firm's policy not to base employment decisions on the basis of sexual orientation." Another continues, "I'm not aware of any special programs for gay/lesbians. The firm has discussed a domestic benefits program, but I don't know if one has been implemented." That source adds that "there are several openly gay/lesbian lawyers at the firm, at both partner and associate level." A third characterizes the firm as being "very friendly," but emphasizes that there are "no official policies regarding antidiscrimination and domestic partner benefits."
Not perfect, but pretty good
Attorneys do have complaints about Baker Botts: bureaucracy that often slows important decision-making processes, lack of diversity, and long hours. Most attorneys, however, find themselves content at the firm. As one contact summarizes, "I believe it would be difficult to find another large firm that meets, much less exceeds, working at Baker Botts from the view of quality of work, hours, and treatment by the majority of the partners (at least the ones I work for). That is not to say it is perfect - it is still a large firm, with both the advantages and disadvantages that any large firm has due to size, which makes it slow to react sometimes. But if you are going to a large firm, then I think Baker Botts is a good place to work."
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Melissa O'Neal
Manager of Attorney Employment (Houston)
(713) 229-2056
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Fulbright & Jaworski;Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher;Vinson & Elkins;Weil Gotshal & Manges
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