CAUTION - Enter At Your Own Risk!!! - Anonymous employee Pirkey Barber Employee Review

1.0
31 July 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friends I made while working here (most of whom are no longer with Pirkey Barber ("PB")). Pay was decent but not worth it due to the below listed cons.

Cons

I've worked for decades in the legal field, both with IP law firms and in the corporate field and I can say that PB is the most TOXIC, DYSFUNCTIONAL environment I have EVER worked in. It's difficult to put into words the hell I lived while working here, but here goes. I knew within my first week that I'd made a mistake by leaving my previous job to come to work here. However, I'm not a quitter and I was determined to make this move a success. Unfortunately despite my efforts, I was continually met with abrasive confrontation and on a daily basis was verbally harassed/bullied both face-to-face and through email communication. When every move that you make is micromanaged, scrutinized and judged, it begins to wear on you slowly and exponentially over time. Oddly enough, despite the overbearing harassment, you are still left in the dark to decipher on your own exactly what it is that management is demanding of you. Professional, rational, and respectful communication is completely nonexistent, replaced with hot-tempered and unfounded criticism and bullying, most often not even related to the current situation at hand. After 2+ years, the harassment continued to affect me emotionally but most concerning my physical health declined drastically in the last few months at PB. That's when I knew I had to leave.

Explore other reviews about Pirkey Barber

5.0
5 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- amazing small law firm culture - very responsive - company shares a large percentage of benefit cost - fully vested in 401k from day 1

Cons

- room for improvement for range of benefits offered

5.0
13 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The firm is very particular about who is brought in, both for employees and clients. There is a culture rarely found in law firms in general, may they be IP, multi-practice etc. Management expects the highest quality work while also trusting employees to perform to the set standards without micromanaging or constant oversight. The traditional law firm hierarchy is found only in terms of respect and direct client access, it is not based on lawyer/staff positions. Every person, regardless of their job title, is approachable, engaged, helpful and kind. You do your very best because you admire and respect the people you work with and want to elevate them as much as yourself. The firm has grown a lot since I started but the culture has fiercely stayed the same. If you have been chosen to be part of this incredible team, welcome, we are so happy to have you :)

Cons

The work load is HIGH. We are a nationally recognized firm and we handle A LOT of clients, from massive, global performing clients as well as small, fledgling business ventures, charities, and individual based clients. The quality of and attention to our work is expected to remain the same for every client, regardless of size. I can only speak to my team, but we are often keeping afloat on a whim and a prayer, but also by love and dedication. The work is a lot, perfection is expected, they don't accept anything less than the best.

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