Jonathan Katz's Rotation History

As a summer associate, I worked on both tax and banking matters, and after graduating from law school, I returned to the Tax Department. I spent a lot of time learning from former head of the tax group Steve Gordon and current head of the tax group Lauren Angelilli, who were both instrumental in teaching me how to become a lawyer and trusted advisor. It was great watching how they handled matters while I also spent time figuring out my own style and what worked best for me. That in‑person learning, coupled with Cravath’s formal mentorship program, really boosted my confidence as a young associate and as I took on more substantive responsibilities. 

I started in tax and later moved to executive compensation and benefits (ECB)—both of which are specialty practices—so I did not rotate in the traditional sense. That said, I switched departments as a fifth‑year associate, and when I made that change, I went through much of the same experience as an associate in the rotation system. When I joined ECB, I worked with many attorneys both junior and senior to me who were generous with their time and expertise as I found my bearings in the new practice area.

I’ve now been in the ECB Department for 13 years, and I think the manner in which Cravath trains all of its associates still benefits me, day in and day out. I was called upon to handle lots of different matters as an associate—whether reviewing a markup, running a transaction or answering client questions—and never felt pigeonholed into a specific type of work, which has greatly enhanced my practice as a partner. It is a testament to the Firm’s commitment to diverse and in‑depth training that everyone here has the tools to handle our clients’ most consequential matters, whatever they may be.