--- title: Lateral Recruiting date: 2023-07-24T22:17:00-04:00 author: "julie@usesharepoint.com" canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/lateral-recruiting" section: Pages --- # Lateral Recruiting At Kelley Drye, our culture sets us apart. ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Hero-Objects/lanyard.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1880&q=80&w=1880&s=6a2174de527c6cabc89acb59abd58c20) ## Why Kelley Drye? ### With 300 lawyers and professionals, our size is strategic Clients appreciate our breadth and depth of practice, as well as our creative yet practical approach to client service reflected in the firm’s Client Service Standards. Kelley Drye offers great value and is nimble in both addressing client needs and capitalizing on opportunities for firm growth. Because of the size and nature of our practice, lateral partners find that we have few unresolvable conflicts. Read more about Kelley Drye’s [firm identity and future plans.](https://www.kelleydrye.com/lateral-recruiting/law360-interview-with-dana-rosenfeld) ### We are a true partnership We like knowing who our partners are, and with roughly 115 partners, it’s easy to have a sense of what your colleagues are working on and to know something about their lives outside of the office. ### We’re entrepreneurial and ambitious about practice development Our partners are enterprising and operate within an environment in which rate flexibility and alternative billing arrangements are understood and accepted. Credit is shared among partners working on matters originated by other partners, as well as on new projects generated from existing firm clients. Partners have the financial and administrative support they need to develop, grow, and cross sell their areas of expertise both internally and externally. ### We’re fiscally conservative and transparent The firm has evolved in many ways since our founding in 1836, and we’re managed in a fiscally conservative manner so that we are well-positioned for a long and prosperous future. Our complete financial information, including partner compensation, is disclosed to all partners. Over the past five years, our partnership earnings have steadily risen. ### We’re prepared to face 21st century business challenges Kelley Drye lawyers, professionals, and staff are empowered to execute our jobs to the very best of their ability, work with the goal of making our clients’ lives easier, and implement process changes that improve productivity and performance. Through the Client Services and Innovation Committee and other efforts, we identify clients’ challenges and implement solutions to address them. We build upon our collective experience to focus on the issues impacting our clients today, tomorrow, and beyond. ### “We are proud of our growth from within and are strategic and careful when it comes to lateral growth. Successful laterals are those who share our commitment to having a collegial, respectful, warm workplace. We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously. The camaraderie among partners and employees at all ranks is second to none. Partners know each other, what they’re working on, and what they do outside of the office. Our culture and environment is particularly beneficial for laterals because from day one you feel the support and know that you are a part of our community.” **Paul Rosenthal** Chair ## In Their Own Words ### Hear from Kelley Drye lateral attorneys about why they joined the firm and how they continue to benefit from the firm’s culture, collaboration, and business development expertise. ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/Rosenfeld_Dana_MP_new.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.4934&fp-y=0.3247&h=900&q=80&w=1600&s=25133eb77d69efaaa97c11d882907730) Play video ## Managing Partner Dana Rosenfeld “As a lateral partner myself, I can testify to what a special place Kelley Drye is. I was attracted by the prospect of joining lawyers who are best in their field, and working within a boutique firm culture of camaraderie and respect.” ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/Wahlquist_Becca.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.4874&fp-y=0.3201&h=492&q=80&w=756&s=99e2445d8cb131a94f68226a2a49201e) ## Partner Becca Wahlquist “For many years, I worked in conjunction with Kelley Drye attorneys representing a co-defendant in a Multi-District Litigation class action, and I was highly impressed with the quality of their advocacy. I joined the firm to collaborate with a team rich in complex class action experience and top-notch regulatory skill.” ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/Konkel_Mark.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5111&fp-y=0.3367&h=900&q=80&w=1600&s=c02029e7efa80afdb39dccc1a8eb94ee) Play video ## Partner Mark Konkel “There are a lot of reasons to like this place, but if you didn’t care about anything else, there’s a tremendous amount of business development opportunity in the firm.” ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Bio-Photos-1200x1200/sandra-musumeci-lateral.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=492&q=80&w=756&s=733b9a4518ea6c3c371020aad42c9284) ## Partner Sandy Musumeci “While I was in discussions with Kelley Drye, I talked to people from every office at various levels – both ​‘lifers’ and others who lateralled to the firm – and they all conveyed what a warm and collaborative environment Kelley Drye is for legal practice. Every partner I met took a personal interest in my candidacy, and that interest in my integration and professional success has continued since I joined the firm. It was clear the firm was (and continues to be) invested in learning about me.” ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/Yovits_Steve.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5229&fp-y=0.3145&h=492&q=80&w=756&s=b7966d862ddacdaaf83efaece751f39e) ## Partner Steven Yovits “Coming to Kelley Drye really was the best move I ever could have made – my practice has flourished, and I’m happier here than I have been in any other working environment.” ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/jackson_gilmour_photo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.763&fp-y=0.2225&h=900&q=80&w=1600&s=a9aa68344de8dfb27c53a4e69c5acc82) Play video ## Partners Bill Jackson and John Gilmour “You never know until you actually go through with it and get into the merged entity, but culturally the fit has been perfect.” ## Recruiting Process Our process is strategic, efficient, and candidate-focused; we are not just interested in what you can do for Kelley Drye, but what we can do for you. [ Read more ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/lateral-recruiting/recruiting-process) ## Lateral Integration A thoughtful integration plan is critical to helping new lateral partners establish a solid platform at Kelley Drye and become a true part of the firm community. [ Read more ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/lateral-recruiting/lateral-integration) ## Pro Bono Kelley Drye has a long history of helping the disadvantaged when they may not have access to or be able to afford legal counsel. This passion for justice and commitment to advocacy helps make a difference in our clients’ lives and in our communities. The firm’s philosophy towards pro bono service is twofold: We believe it is both the firm’s professional and moral duty to provide legal support to individuals and organizations that impact change for those in need. To achieve these goals, we empower lawyers to pursue pro bono cases that reflect their personal passions and where they can put their legal acumen to best use in the community. As a result, our initiatives are as varied and diverse as the professionals at our firm. [ Read more ](https://www.kelleydrye.com/responsible-business/pro-bono) ## Firm Overview Kelley Drye is a full service firm with more than 300 lawyers and professionals based in New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Parsippany, San Diego, and Stamford. Skilled practitioners in the areas of litigation, regulatory, real estate, corporate, bankruptcy, and beyond combine talents to address the unique complexities of our clients’ legal and business challenges. We are practical in our advice and creative in our approach. Data scientists and economists from our subsidiary Georgetown Economic Services (GES) focus on the intersection of the law and analytics, helping clients make sense of their data to inform legal and business decisions. We draw from all of our practices, offices, support services, and networks like GES to provide clients with a team best suited to meet their needs. ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Image-and-Text-Cards/ribbons2.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=492&q=80&w=756&s=7cd7d7f72aebec661f6d8e58e27a8116) ## Recent Recognition The firm has received complimentary feedback from clients and accolades from many third-party sources, such as the following: - Chambers USA, ten practice areas and 23“Leaders in Their Field,” 2024 - U.S. News and Best Lawyers® ​“Best Law Firms,” five practice areas National First-Tier, 2024 - Best Lawyers in America®, 57 lawyers, 2025 - Benchmark Litigation, three 40 and Under List, 2024 - U.S. Legal 500, 13 practice areas and 56 attorneys, 2024. - BTI Litigation Outlook Report, 2023 - BTI Client Service A-Team, 2022 - The Burton Foundation, a not-for-profit, academic organization devoted to recognizing and rewarding excellence in the legal profession, honored Kelley Drye lawyers with the Burton Awards in the Distinguished Law Firm category for legal writing, 2023-2024.