Law Students

Why Lightfoot? Our associates learn by doing work that matters.

At Lightfoot, we know that young trial lawyers must have early and frequent opportunities to challenge themselves and grow. New associates work with many different partners and on many different types of cases. Our associates take depositions, draft and argue critical motions, engage in significant client contact and try cases with our partners.

Associate Experience

Not only do associates grow their careers at Lightfoot, but they also love working here, too. The career and recruiting website Vault named Lightfoot the “Best Midsize Law Firm to Work For” four years in a row based our high ratings in its midsize quality of life, quality of work, diversity and inclusion and firm culture rankings.

Lawyers here shoot straight with you. They shoot straight with clients, opposing lawyers and judges. That was attractive to me as I was making decisions about my career path a decade ago, and it’s still attractive to me today. We’ve always been a ‘what you see is what you get’ place to work and practice, and that’s an all-too-rare quality in law firms.— James Gibson, Partner

What can you expect at Lightfoot? Opportunities.

Mentors

The opportunity to work with partners who are committed to guiding you through your early practice years with an open door policy.

Real World Experience

The opportunity to take, not watch, your first deposition within the first few months of practice.

Trial Team

The opportunity to be a part of a trial team and argue critical motions within your first few years of practice.

Client Interaction

The opportunity to work with clients who are leaders in their respective industries and companies.

The opportunity to work with partners who are committed to guiding you through your early practice years with an open door policy.

The opportunity to take, not watch, your first deposition within the first few months of practice.

The opportunity to be a part of a trial team and argue critical motions within your first few years of practice.

The opportunity to work with clients who are leaders in their respective industries and companies.

What else can we tell you?

You will learn from the best

Our firm boasts some of the most experienced and credentialed trial lawyers anywhere. The firm started during Alabama’s class action boom in the 1990s when plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions were imposing catastrophic judgments on corporate defendants. Many of those lawyers are still with the firm, trying high profile cases in the country’s toughest venues and training the next generation of trial lawyers to do the same.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion

From the beginning, Lightfoot has sought talented trial lawyers from all backgrounds. We know that the most effective teams are made up of people with different points of view and unique life experiences. Take a look at our diversity and inclusion page for more details.

You can thrive here and have a life

At Lightfoot, you will work hard. There is no way around hard work if you want to be the best. However, you will also lead the life you want to lead. Top to bottom, our people are both exceptional, driven lawyers, and also dedicated spouses, parents, friends and contributors to the community. We have each other’s backs, professionally and personally.

We are a technology-forward firm

Our commitment to technology ensures that we always have cutting-edge tools that enable our lawyers to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. All new associates receive their own laptop that allows them the freedom to work when and where they want.

The cities where we live, work and play

Lightfoot calls Birmingham, Alabama, and Houston, Texas, home. These are two of the most vibrant cities in the country.

Birmingham

Houston

Being a part of Lightfoot’s summer associate program as a law student gave me a realistic glimpse into the everyday life of a trial lawyer and was ultimately why I fell in love with the firm’s culture. I find comfort looking back on my experience as a summer associate knowing that it was all “real” – the work on cases, the courtroom experiences and the comradery.— Wesley Smithart, Associate

Interested in joining Lightfoot?

For information regarding associate hiring, our summer program and recruiting schedules please contact Blakeley Arnold, Recruiting Manager, at 205-581-0771 or barnold@lightfootlaw.com.