1. No upward mobility.
2. Top heavy with “Partners”/senior attorney’s.
3. No partner track or mentorship to build the future of the firm.
4. Mid range to lower level healthcare and dental packages. 401(k) but no matching.
5. Moderate COL adjustment, no negotiation for higher increase.
6. Pay is low for the market and for what you earn the firm. Those in charge consider your bonus (earned by putting in extra hours) to be part of your salary, but if business slows or if they bring on additional attorneys your bonus disappears which is basically a pay cut, and since salaries are below market it hurts.
7. Potential for referral bonuses is ephemeral, unless you have forms filled out by the new client there is high potential that the new business will be considered a new client of a “Partner”. If you get the new client while out on other work it will be considered a new client of whichever partner you were in court for.
8. If you get an offer to go elsewhere, they will not match. Expect to move on and soon. If you tell them near a payday or before a bonus payment, they will ask you to conclude and transition before the next pay period. Saw it happen over and over again with young associates to senior associates.
