Freshfields Reviews

Pros

You are working with the best and the brightest attorneys on high profile domestic and international cases. The firm supports traveling to other offices and encourages attorneys to work for extended periods abroad in another Freshfields' office.

Cons

As with any other law firm, the hours can be tough and the stress level high.

Pros

People working there, from partners to all levels of support staff, are all amicable and willing to help each other. Work environment and biscuits in the pantry are excellent.

Cons

At this very competitive IPO and M&A powerhouse, lawyers tend to work very hard so in busy times people are expected to accept long hours.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep doing what you have been doing best.

Pros

20 Vacation days, 2 float days, 6 sick days
Health Care paid for by the firm
Great New Offices at 601 Lexington
Pretty laid back atmosphere at most part
Firm pays 1/3 of your yearly gym membership (support staff only)

Cons

Poor Pay Rises (so negotiate a good rate when you start)
Poor Bonuses (not paid on performance paid equally across the firm)
No real annual appraisal process

Advice to Senior Management

Provide support staff with a good carreer path and more of an opportunity to grow

Pros

prestigous firm, very competitive pay, personal development, high visibility, smart and capable co workers, good management, support staff is useful.

Cons

Hours in the office are as in any big law firm long. Difficult work life balance. No gym on site.

Advice to Senior Management

It would be nice to have better guidance at the beginning of the career from more senior associates and partners.

Pros

Excellent reputation, High profile cases, stimulating enviroment. a lot of smart competitive people and a very friendly atmosphere outside the workplace.

Cons

the feedback from management must be improved, very long work hours, lack of communication and human relationships are inesxistant in the work place.

Advice to Senior Management

listen more to the needs of young interns and lawyers. give a proper and clear feedback on the work accomplished, be more supportive.

Pros

Friendly atmosphere, good colleagues, and free beverages.

Cons

Benefits package is weak. Long hours, but that is law practice anywhere.

Advice to Senior Management

I was impressed with how many people have come to visit with me about how I have been settling in, even the head of HR took some time to come chat with me.

Pros

The projects are always challenging, the athmosphere is good inbetween departments, friendly colleagues

Cons

Politics are too difficult to follow, HR support is not as good as it should be, huge clash between staff and fee earners.

Advice to Senior Management

Reduce the clash between staff and fee earners

Pros

Good reputation, excellent clients, great curriculum vitae, great people who really know their stuff, good coffee, excellent location, great benefits

Cons

Hours can be long like many magic circle firms, but no more than you would work in any large firm

Advice to Senior Management

Offer employees the opportunity to select the practice areas and work types which they are most interested in - pigeon-holing never works

Pros

Prestigious name on your resume - employers are always impressed when they see that I worked there.

Cons

Zero work/life balance, cutthroat environment, dishonest supervisors, extremely low salary

Advice to Senior Management

treat your employees with respect and pay them fairly