Overview
Introduction
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP has been part of the New York City legal scene since 1854 and counts Franklin D. Roosevelt as a firm alumnus. Although many of its legal projects involve its home city, the firm offers many types of legal counsel to international companies wishing to do business in the United States. The firm advises clients ranging from financial institutions and medical and biotech companies to alternative energy companies and, high-net-worth individuals and families.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
Base Salary
No. of U.S. Offices
Major Office Locations
Vault Verdict
Carter Ledyard offers associates an agreeable work environment, pleasant coworkers, and manageable hours. Academic achievement and journal and work experience are hiring considerations, as is personality. Both attorneys and staff members enjoy social interactions with each other, though the number of activities is not overwhelming, and the environment is welcoming and friendly. Partners respect associates, welcome their input on case strategy, and encourage them to take additional responsibilities. Partners are great mentors who push associates to develop their skills. Formal training is primarily done through CLEs, but lean teams mean associates learn directly from partners, and in addition to foundational work (such as document review) that needs to be done, they tackle co...
About the Firm
Founded in 1854 and headquartered nearby on Wall Street, Carter Ledyard & Milburn prides itself on its self-described "can do," "get the deal done" philosophy. Notably, Franklin D. Roosevelt was an associate at Carter Ledyard before he became the Governor of New York and President of the United States.
Committed to the City
An historic New York City firm, Carter Ledyard is committed to its hometown. The firm helped refinance bonds to rebuild Ground Zero as part of the World Trade Center Project, counseled the Battery Park City Corporation in the renovation of one of the only historic in Manhattan piers that remains, and completed pro bono work on land protection issues for New Yorkers for Parks. Several partners and associates have been elected to and served...
Associate Reviews
- “The culture at the firm is generally friendly. Associates have monthly firm-sponsored events. Mentoring program where mentors generally take associates to monthly lunch. There is not a lot of organic socializing outside the office, but some lawyers have lunch together during the work week.”
- “Carter Ledyard has very pleasant attorneys that create a friendly environment in the office on a day-to-day basis. Attorneys and support staff frequently pop into each other's offices to discuss work and catch up socially. Small teams on matters make socializing professionally among associates slightly more difficult during the workday, but the office does organize associate events to build firm camaraderie. The firm also organizes firmwide events that allow partners and associates to socialize and get to know each other out of the office.”
- “Lawyers socialize together frequently. I am comfortable inviting lawyers to outings in the city. I am also comfortable inviting them to my home.”
- “Everyone is lovely and welcoming. Attorneys seem to treat staff respectfully.”
Why Work Here
Carter Ledyard successfully combines a sophisticated, full-service Wall Street legal practice with a collaborative environment where friendliness and professionalism are compatible. We have a diverse and international clientele, with substantial portions of the firm’s matters coming from overseas-based clients and their U.S. affiliates, financial institutions and other financial services providers, governmental entities, industrial and technology companies and affluent individuals and families. Our international focus is exemplified by our commitment to provide a Gateway to America® for our foreign clients. Our association with the Meritas® and Legalink legal networks provides us with access to capable and knowledgeable colleagues in the U.S. and around the world and allows us to assist those colleagues with their New York based matters.
Diversity at Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm looks to hire students from the top of a class, with law review experience, and with prior work experience either at a clerkship or a law firm.”
- “Our firm not only looks at the skills and experiences that candidates have when applying for positions but also truly tries to find individuals who will fit in well with their potential coworkers. I think that my firm values experiences from both work and internships/schools, as well as personality and diversity.”
- “I think the firm is definitely looking for a cultural fit. Of course academics and work experience are important as well, but it's a smaller team of attorneys, many of whom have been here for most of their careers. And I believe [the firm] is looking for attorneys who are looking for a long-term place to settle as well. The firm is well aware of what BigLaw firms have to offer, and [it] isn’t looking to compete with that—[it] has more wholesome priorities.”
- “In litigation positions, CLM looks for candidates who can demonstrate their writing skills and have a generally amicable personality.”
- “Everyone is welcoming and willing to help get you [as a lateral or clerk] settled. Partners and associates are available to walk you through concerns, whether logistical or substantive. However, I do imagine that the integration process for laterals isn't much different than it would be for someone straight out of law school.”
Perks & Benefits