MBM Intellectual Property Law Reviews in Ottawa, ON Area

Pros

Good relationships amoung staff - Interesting work - Opportunity to engage with clients - fair holiday time - good medical and dental benefits - understand woman's issues and respect woman (support of lengthy maternity leave) - early responsibilty in career - casual environment - not strictly a billable target firm

Cons

HR could be stronger - More timely reviews to ensure advancement. The benefit of not having billable targets has allowed some people to appear busy when others are working hard.

Advice to Senior Management

Make people accountable including management. Appreciate that employees are aware of business and encourage all to actively participate in the business of the firm and not just client work.

Pros

Some very good staff members, good camaraderie amongst those who can afford to be social. Benefits, vacation, and "work/life balance" are good, albeit often at a price of being viewed as less-than-dedicated if you take advantage. Good if you're looking for a quick stopover job...pay, as well as everything else, is about as "standard" and "regulated" as you can get, but not nearly as glossy as they make it out to be.

Cons

Terrible senior management, sub-par structure. Fires staff (not me) without giving them the chance to fix the problem. Very "two-faced" environment where stabbing someone in the back is the norm. Staff are lied to and kept around until they are not needed, not given the opportunity to truly excel. Some departments are weak where as other, "favourite" (a.k.a profitable) departments flourish. HR is not a resource, they are only looking out for their own best interest. Office Operations is hot and cold; you never know what you're going to get from them or with them. The partners live in their own little world and have the wrong people running the firm.

Advice to Senior Management

Fire your management/planning group and get some staff who care about the business and it's employees' success, not just their own pockets and being the partners' lapdogs.

Pros

The best reason to work at MBM Intellectual Property Law is to gain experience. They have a good medical, dental, and vision packages. The vacation time allowed is sufficient. They have a good work and life work ethic, but only for professionals. They are good at recognizing upcoming events such as births, birthdays, etc. They have plenty of staff for every department. Good training regading the standards of the office. They recognize staff (if you're lucky to work with someone that likes you) to be promoted even if your not qualified. Do allow senior staff to bring their dogs in everyday.

Cons

No communication from managers and perspective employee during hiring process. No communication between managers and staff. Staff are made to feel that your on a production line, and highly competitve. Managers only look at output numbers, and wonder why items that take longer are not gettting done. Their is no comradery between staff, there is a more of a stab you in the back environment. There is a high turnover. Staff members were told that because of economic uncertainity there will no Christmas bonuses, although professional staff members received bonuses. Staff could easily be put down by one of the partners in the firm in social situations.

Advice to Senior Management

Be truthful to your staff. Tell that what you expect, and not wait till your ready to fire them.