Our Mission: Creating Client Solutions that Exceed Expectations.
We are passionate about delivering exceptional client service and efficient, client-focused solutions to meet our clients’ goals. To fulfill our mission, Harris Beach is committed to hiring, training and supporting people who demonstrate our values, think strategically and creatively, and are committed to forging strong client relationships. We work collaboratively not just with clients, but with each other. Our culture is hard working, but we also enjoy making time to have fun with each other through social activities throughout the year and our active community engagement. Whether you’re considering a move from another organization or seeking your first position as a lawyer or business professional, Harris Beach is a rewarding place to build a career and develop deep friendships.
Our clients include Fortune 100 corporations, privately-held companies, emerging businesses, public sector entities, not-for-profit organizations and individuals. We are a full-service law firm with more than 25 areas of practice and 22 principal industries served, providing our attorneys a range of opportunities to establish their career in areas that match their skills and interests. Some of our leading industry sectors include cannabis, education, energy, financial institutions, food and beverage, health care, manufacturing, medical and life sciences, racing and gaming, real estate developers, science and technology, state and local governments, telecommunications, . Our firm prides itself on its forward-thinking approach to the practice of law and embrace the development of new services and products by our attorneys that can enhance our ability to serve our clients better and in new ways or expand our experience into new sectors or areas of law. With such a diverse and wide-ranging practice, attorneys have ample opportunity to establish their own niche in their law practice.
Our firm culture has shaped our approach for 165 years and remains at the heart of our success, driving our core mission to excel as a leading multicultural law firm that reflects the growing diversity of the communities and clients we serve.
Harris Beach is among the country’s top law firms as ranked by the National Law Journal, with a strong history of providing groundbreaking legal counsel and participating in community service.
Harris Beach is committed to the professional development of each lawyer, consultant and professional staff. This supportive, nurturing environment and competitive compensation/ benefits offered cultivates a high degree of job satisfaction and loyalty to our firm. At Harris Beach, associates participate in a rich variety of instructive work experiences, benefit from supportive supervision and hear regular feedback.
Lateral Candidates:
Harris Beach is very active in recruiting lateral candidates at the partner, senior counsel and associate level. We have a formal process to support the integration and business development training and resources vital to help ensure our laterals are successful. To learn more about our lateral hiring and hear about the experiences of recent lateral candidates, click here.
Associates:
Whether your career begins with Harris Beach right out of law school or as a lateral hire, are associate hiring and training programs ensure you have a well integrated experience from the outset and opportunities to engage with firm programs, initiatives and training. We have an established Attorney Advisory Committee that provides support to associates and works with firm management on initiatives and to share ideas and feedback on firm policies and programs.
Our Summer Associate Program offers law school students a chance to get to know the culture and “work life” of Harris Beach. Participants will tackle interesting and varied work assignments in the firm’s practice and industry groups while enjoying opportunities for interaction with clients, and observation of court and administrative tribunals. Social events will introduce participants to partners and associates in a fun and informal setting. Summer associates have the benefit of individual mentors who offer valuable suggestions, guidance and insight. Work product is evaluated by assigned attorneys throughout the summer, and substantive feedback is provided on a regular basis.
Applications for 2024 Summer Associates (current 2Ls) for the Rochester, Syracuse, and New York City offices are now being accepted. The Rochester and Syracuse application deadline is Friday, August 18th. The New York City application deadline is Tuesday, September 5th. Please submit materials to Stephanie Fame, Manager of Recruiting, at sfame@harrisbeach.com.
Our Associate Training Program begins with an introduction to office resources, personnel, technology, paperwork guidelines, billing protocols, research resources and administrative support. Following the office orientation, each new attorney will participate in a two-day integration program in the law firm’s Rochester office. The program will include formal and informal sessions with members of the senior management team about the law firm’s history, management and culture. Attorneys will participate in discussions about expectations for the quality and quantity of legal work, the law firm’s commitment to pro bono and community activities, and the value Harris Beach places on client relationships. Associates will be introduced to our practice areas and industry teams and review law firm finances, timekeeping obligations, marketing, diversity initiatives and business development activities.
Once the initial orientation activities are completed, each office or practice group at Harris Beach will provide development activities tailored for their location and specialties. These early experiences, whether a rotation or hands-on work in an office specialty, are followed by continuing, customized training, specific to the office or practice area.
To provide a foundation for success, ongoing coaching and mentoring connect new attorneys with partners and senior associates in both structured and informal activities. Opportunities for interaction related to work assignments, client meetings and firm activities are provided. Practice groups provide regular, constructive evaluations. Social events provide time for enhancement of collegial relationships and the building of lifelong friendships.
The senior associate and senior counsel retreat, a firm-wide training program, includes hands-on training opportunities, leadership training and presentations about initiatives being implemented throughout the law firm.
Non-Attorney Positions:
Assembling the right team to handle client matters and firm management is absolutely essential to making our legal services cost-effective to our clients. As with our attorneys, we apply the same high standards of strong academic backgrounds, solid experience and multitasking abilities to our selection of paralegals, administrative assistants, and administrative managers and staff. And with our diverse practice, staff professionals can be assured they will find their professional experiences with Harris Beach to be both challenging and rewarding. For information on applying for a non-attorney position in any of our offices, visit our job portal for current open positions.
Harris Beach lawyers engage in a variety of pro bono matters, assisting charitable organizations with pro bono legal services and representing clients who cannot afford an attorney in federal, state and local courts. Many of our lawyers’ efforts have been recognized by federal courts, the New York State Bar Association and local bar associations. Harris Beach also has a long and proud history of serving local communities through donations of time and money and believes the vitality of our communities is dependent upon the involvement of its residents and the diversity of its citizens.
Our dedication to our clients is reflected in our long and proud history of contributing to our communities. Our attorneys have always been active, serving on the boards of directors for numerous corporations, hospitals, museums, shelters and other charitable organizations. We provide sponsorships and financial contributions to many not-for-profit organizations and professional and cultural institutions in each of our communities and encourage attorneys and staff to participate.
Our people also initiate grass-roots campaigns by coaching youth sports teams and organizing fundraisers. Participation enables individuals to take ownership of an activity and allows them to rally behind personal causes that benefit families in need. Each office also selects organizations as “adopted charities” to support through firm contributions and volunteer time by lawyers and administrators.
Our most valuable resource at Harris Beach is our people, and we believe our communities benefit when tapping into that resource.
Attorney Positions
Harris Beach has fostered significant growth through hiring new attorneys, merging practices with several firms and expanding our practice from within. Our attorneys have established the firm’s reputation for responsiveness, attention to detail, and considerate treatment and handling of client matters. Strong attorney candidates, including entry-level and lateral candidates:
- Enjoy diversity in their caseloads
- Are adept at multitasking
- Are highly responsive to clients
- Are involved in their community
- Maintain interests outside the legal field
- Are admitted or soon to be admitted to the Bar in the state(s) where they plan to practice
- Have strong research, writing, communication and organizational skills
Non-Attorney positions
Assembling the right team to handle client matters and firm management is absolutely essential to making our legal services cost-effective to our clients. We apply the same high standards of strong academic backgrounds, solid experience and multitasking abilities to our selection of paralegals, administrative assistants, and administrative managers and staff. And with our diverse practice, staff professionals can be assured they will find their professional experiences with Harris Beach to be both challenging and rewarding.
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