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Protocol? If they're young yes? If old, no?

Go the safe route and call them Mr. Smith and wait for them to correct you and say John?

Spoken or written?

If this is a face to face thing I would do first name unless it's a partner with significant age difference and maybe even then. Attorneys overwhelmingly go by first names at work so they probably wouldn't notice it.

If for an email I usually went with Ms/Mr X but the jury is far more split there.

If the firm is known to be more casual, the answer is very clear: first name basis. If it's an older Cravath partner, I'd recommend going with Mr./Ms. and letting them direct you if they want. Everything else is kind of along that spectrum. Factors: age, title, firm culture, vibe.

Maybe I was raised old fashion but I always use Ms./Mr. in written and spoken until told to do otherwise. No one has ever been offended by this, but can be otherwise.

Anonymous User wrote:Maybe I was raised old fashion but I always use Ms./Mr. in written and spoken until told to do otherwise. No one has ever been offended by this, but can be otherwise.

This is my rule of thumb.

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I respectfully disagree.

When I interviewed, I always used first names. To me, it's much less awkward and makes it easier to connect. Also, that's what I would prefer to hear if I were the interviewer.
I used Mr. xxx out of habit in a few screeners and it weirded one interviewer out as soon as I said it. I stuck with first names in all of my other interviews (both screening interviews and callbacks) and not once did I sense a negative reaction to a first name being used.

The only situation where last name may be better is with an older partner. Even then, I think the safe bet is first name.

Mr./Ms. xxx until told otherwise. But generally, in interviews, when you walk in, the interviewers will introduce themselves, so take your cue from how they do that.

Written, always Mr./Ms.

I called everyone by their first name. It established rapport and was less awkward. I think using Mr./Mrs. makes you seem young and a little too submissive, especially if you're interviewing with associates.

In writing, its Mr./Ms./Mrs., until they tell you otherwise.

Spoken, it's how they introduce themselves. It is awkward to keep calling them, Mr./Ms. Partner, when they introduced themselves on a first name basis.

I start the interview with "Hello, I am Pokemon."
If they respond with, "Hi, I am [first name]" then from that point on I use first name.

This is both for writing and talking, and mentioning them to other attorneys from the firm.

Don't even go for the "Mrs." honestly. Just stick to "Mr./Ms." until told otherwise.