Careers

Why would an attorney want to practice at Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram? That's simple. We are that rare breed of attorney, the type that are creative in deals and actually try cases, prefer personable relationships with clients, and know the law well enough to have fun practicing it. Whether we're serving as outside counsel to negotiate a sophisticated business contract, trying a complex case in court, or working with a client to develop a real estate project, we work harder, longer and smarter to make our clients winners. It's a big idea from a small firm, and it infuses our every encounter - we seek people who share these same values.

Culture

Nestled in a four-story Victorian brownstone near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram, P.C. is a boutique law firm practicing in six distinct areas of law: business, construction, insurance recovery, real estate, power and energy construction, and trial.

What makes us unique is the way we do business. We genuinely recognize that our people are our greatest asset. While many firms pay that statement lip service, we believe it and we’re confident that our team is our best reference. We value our professional and support staff not only for providing top-quality service to our clients, but also for contributing to a happy and productive workplace. We all enjoy the firm’s relatively small size, which contributes to our collegial atmosphere.

You might think that because of our size, we’re overly informal or casual. Not true. We dress the professional part and behave with dignity at all times. At the same time, there are no stuffed shirts and prima donnas—it’s simply not our culture. Our size enables us to really know each other, invest in each other and collaborate to respond nimbly to our clients’ needs. Our employees appreciate the way that we interact with each other and the firm’s clients, as evidenced by the fact that some have been with us for more than 15 years.

Our work ethic and enthusiasm for our craft often require us to devote long hours at the office. Fortunately, we have been able to create a unique and welcoming work environment where hard work and long hours can also be fulfilling, rewarding and yes, even fun. Not only do we take pride in the work environment we offer, but we also are truly committed to the long-term financial security and well-being of our employees, particularly those who commit themselves to a long-term relationship with us. At Shapiro, Lifschitz, & Schram, rewarding commitment is simply part of our culture.

Quality of Life

In support of the culture we strive to preserve, the firm has been recognized by the Washingtonian Magazine as a “Great Place to Work,” based on a survey of 225 businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies in the Washington, DC area.

Not only do we work well together, but we play together nicely too. We recognize that all work and no play makes us a dull and less productive firm. Therefore, we build play into our mix. We do understand that without dedicated and committed people, we would not be successful. We also know that success is much sweeter when shared.

Employment Practices

We recognize that people like to be valued for the long hours and hard work they put in. In response, we offer a generous benefits package that is among the best in the industry. We provide health, life, disability and long-term care insurance, as well as 401(k), profit sharing and defined benefit plans. We also maintain a pay scale (including bonus programs) that is competitive with other law firms of our size in Washington, DC. In addition, we provide many amenities which include generous leave and wellness/fitness benefits, expense allowances for attorneys, financial planning assistance, a summer outing, a holiday party, and periodic social events, just to name a few.

We value intelligence, a good work ethic, and a team spirit. We also believe in and embrace the fact that diversity creates a more interesting work environment and facilitates better results. To that end, we do not discriminate based on age, race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin, and we are committed to maintaining a truly diverse firm.