Dan Freshman
Dan Freshman
Why did you decide to start your legal career at Ropes & Gray?
To this day, my interviewers remain my biggest mentors and advocates at the firm. As my interview schedule panned out, Ropes & Gray was the last firm that I interviewed with—and when I left the interview, I knew in my gut that it was the best fit for me.
How has Ropes & Gray helped you build a career as a lawyer?
I had a strong sense of the type of work I wanted to pursue at Ropes & Gray. Once I expressed this interest, the firm gave me every opportunity to pursue this area, while also providing opportunities to experiment with other practices. From my first assignment, I always felt valued, and there was never any “busy work” or instances where I felt frustrated at the assignments I was receiving. To this day, I have continued to work for some of the same clients that I began working for as a first-year associate—and in some instances, even as a summer associate. Mentorship opportunities have also been fantastic—even where informal. I feel like I have a network of half a dozen associates and partners that I can rely on when I have questions about my long-term career plans and trajectory.
To this day, I have continued to work for some of the same clients that I began working for as a first-year associate—and in some instances, even as a summer associate.”
Tell us about a memorable matter you’ve worked on.
I helped represent a global pharmaceutical company (and longstanding client) enter into one of the largest license and collaboration agreements ever in terms of deal value (including $1 billion in upfront payments).
I was involved with drafting the license and collaboration agreement and participated in negotiations against the counterparty and its outside counsel. As I worked on this matter as a junior associate, it was a great example of a “battlefield promotion,” where I was asked to take on responsibilities that would otherwise be typically beyond my skill set and seniority.
Tell us about a pro bono matter you’ve worked on.
I work with Project Citizenship, a nonprofit organization that helps individuals obtain United States citizenship.
I help people complete their applications for citizenship at workshops and clinics, and help run quality control for applications completed by other volunteers. I also serve on the associates committee, which is comprised of lawyers across several international law firms and corporations that host workshops throughout the year. Volunteering at Project Citizenship has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my legal career.
Your interviews aren’t the only opportunities to connect with lawyers at Ropes & Gray. Come back for second visits at the firm, grab coffee with an associate or partner, and learn as much as you can about the firm.”
How would you describe the firm’s culture?
Lawyers are genuinely proud to work here. More importantly, people here seem to be genuinely interested in each other’s lives outside of work. You’ll routinely see large groups of lawyers, including associates and partners, grabbing drinks or dinner together on any given Friday.
What tips would you offer to a potential applicant?
Your interviews aren’t the only opportunities to connect with lawyers at Ropes & Gray. Come back for second visits at the firm, grab coffee with an associate or partner, and learn as much as you can about the firm.