Firm Culture

The firm's management style is unique among full service commercial law firms. We operate on a consensus model, providing new associates full and equal participation in firm management. Associates have unparalleled participation in firm management as full voting members within various Management Committees. The committees are responsible for formulating recommendations on all aspects of firm governance, including business development and strategic planning, performance evaluations, compensation, benefits, recruiting, pro bono work, financial management, billing and collections, physical facilities, technology, and establishing policies that affect all attorneys. In addition, all associates have access to internal firm information including financial and compensation.

Associates are treated as prospective shareholders from their first day on the job--a cultural attitude that affects virtually every aspect of an associate's career at the firm. New associates are encouraged and expected to assume early and rapidly increasing levels of responsibility under the supervision of senior attorneys, providing associates with meaningful client and courtroom experiences.

Here's what one new associate told the Intermountain Commercial Record, a local Salt Lake City newspaper, when asked about his experiences at the firm:

"The attorneys at Parr Waddoups, and its reputation, are very high-quality. I wanted to practice with attorneys who would give me a real opportunity to learn. I'm working with shareholders who are taking the time to mentor me and show me the ropes. They are absolutely great. Right now I'm working on an appellate brief for a patent case--a very complicated patent case--before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. I'm also involved in some fascinating securities litigation."

Senior attorney Clark Waddoups was recognized for his commitment to mentoring firm attorneys in a feature article in the ABA Journal. The article highlights Mr. Waddoups' mentoring style through interviews with Parr Waddoups litigation attorney Carolyn McHugh (now a Utah Appellate Court Judge) and notable Parr Waddoups alumni Utah Supreme Court Justice Matthew Durrant and Utah Supreme Court Justice Jill Parrish. The generosity of mentoring time at the firm is a cultural quality that creates significant learning opportunities for young attorneys.

Through our strong client focus, continued skill development and careful practice management, we maintain strong revenue growth and economic stability. The firm is consistently recognized by peers and clients for its sophisticated legal work. In 2007, the Chambers and Partners USA: Leading Business Lawyers directory recognized 12 Parr Waddoups lawyers in M&A, commercial litigation and real estate as among the best in Utah. Eight Parr Waddoups lawyers were included in the last edition of The Best Lawyers in America and in the 2007 debut issue of Mountain States Super Lawyers, 15 Parr Waddoups attorneys were named as among the best in their practice areas within the Intermountain region. Four Parr Waddoups attorneys made the Top 75 Mountain States Super Lawyers list

Utah Business magazine surveyed thousands of Utah State Bar members and asked them to nominate business and litigation lawyers they deemed the best in the state and whose services they would recommend to others. From the results, the magazine compiled the 2007 Legal Elite, which included 38 Parr Waddoups corporate and litigation lawyers.

Associate Compensation

Parr Waddoups has always been committed to hiring only the top candidates from quality law schools and to eliminating attrition among our current attorneys. As a result, Parr Waddoups is dedicated to remaining at the top of the compensation scale for the Salt Lake City market. In addition to guaranteed salaries, all full-time associates participate in firm profit-sharing distributions, have fully-paid medical and dental coverage for themselves and their families, and receive annual contributions to a 401(k) retirement plan. Summer associates receive weekly salaries that are adjusted annually to ensure that they are competitive with other Salt Lake City firms.