Rolo Baker (courtesy photo)
When it comes to the legal profession, Biglaw firms have always seemed to rule the roost, controlling even compensation and bonus structures. But if you take a closer look, you’ll realize that boutique firms — especially boutique litigation firms — are staking their claim on the legal market, offering up everything that Biglaw firms have, and more, including early experience in the courtroom. What is it about boutique firms that should give would-be trial attorneys pause when making career choices? Who better to ask than the founding partner of a prominent trial law firm?
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Rollo Baker, founding partner of the elite, new litigation boutique Elsberg Baker & Maruri, to get his thoughts on the difference between Biglaw and boutique firms when it comes to gaining experience, recruitment, and how to stand out as a law school applicant. Here is a write-up of our lively conversation.
Staci Zaretsky (SZ): As a former partner at Quinn Emanuel and a founding partner of Elsberg Baker & Maruri, what would you say are the pros and cons of working at a boutique versus a Biglaw firm?
Rollo Baker (RB): I had a great experience working in Biglaw, but I left because I wanted to create something different. The benefit of a boutique is that you get to work on the same complex, interesting, high stakes matters, but you do it within a small team environment. If you are at a Biglaw firm you might end up on a great, close-knit team handling interesting matters, but that is not always the case. Additionally, at a boutique it is likely that you will get trial experience earlier and more often in your career, which is critical to becoming a great trial lawyer. At Elsberg Baker & Maruri, we strive to give all our associates trial experience: all of our junior associates were at trial or arbitration within the first 4 months of the firm’s founding. That typically does not happen in Biglaw. Also, because we are a smaller shop, it is easier to form the types of interpersonal relationships that not only make the work more fun but create a dynamic where mentoring of junior attorneys is organic — which leads to real career investment and growth.
SZ: What do you think are some of the qualities that can help someone become a great trial lawyer?
RB: Good trial lawyers are able to simplify complex concepts and events into a handful of themes and documents — and then tell a compelling story based on the evidence. Every litigation, despite thousands of documents and lengthy depositions, comes down to a handful of key documents and brief, revealing bits of testimony. Good trial lawyers never lose sight of this — and they never lose sight of their core themes during trial or arbitration. Good trial lawyers also exhaustively prepare for trial — there are no shortcuts — and will mitigate every risk as best as they possibly can. They understand there are no guarantees when getting in front of a judge or a jury, and they enter that environment with confidence and are comfortable with some degree of uncertainty. And perhaps most importantly, they enjoy the intensity and highs and lows of it all.
SZ: The most elite trial law firms tend to hire from a select group of law schools. Do you think this is the right approach?
RB: We recruit from the very top law schools but also from a wide range of law schools. Recruiting from just a few schools is limiting in many ways. Financial and other considerations often influence where talented students can attend school. We want diversity of all types on our trial teams. A diverse team looks at a case from all the angles to develop the strongest possible trial strategy, and a diverse team is better able to connect with a jury comprised of people from all different walks of life. There are exceptionally talented students at many different law schools, and recruiting from a wide range of schools enables us to find the best lawyers while building a more diverse law firm.
SZ: What should law students do to stand out in the recruiting process if they hope to work for a trial firm?
RB: The law students we interview all have top grades and credentials. They need to think of ways to differentiate themselves. For example, participating in moot court competitions or clinics demonstrates interest in litigation. They should approach a job interview like an opening argument in a trial. They should come in with a story that sets them apart, a story that communicates that they are committed to becoming the best possible lawyer they can be. In interviews, I am looking for folks who express a genuine excitement in being a trial lawyer, who are humble, and who are eager to learn. In particular, we are always looking for associates who are passionate about being trial lawyers and want to get trial experience early and often as they launch their careers — we have six trials or arbitrations this year alone.
On behalf of everyone here at Above the Law, we’d like to thank Rollo Baker for taking the time to help answer these questions on boutique litigation firms and law students can earn their places at a trial firm.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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