Paul Weiss Rifkind Reviews

Pros

Great experience and a very prestigious firm.

Cons

Little work life balance. A place that can cause burn out.

Pros

Corporate recognition is Very good
middle Managment recognition is fair
People generally Very good
Work is good and Challenging

Cons

workload and expectations is very heavy
hours can be long but comp time is given when asked for

Advice to Senior Management

reward the people alittle more

Pros

It's a big firm so there are many different personalities to relate to. The associates are also generally very good about giving honest opinions about working for large corporate law firms. That is to say, most will encourage you to consider your options wisely.

Plenty of overtime opportunities. Managers make themselves available quite often.

Cons

It's a large law firm, so some associates can get caught up in the stress of the moment and take it out on you. Some associates do not have realistic impressions of how long projects take and what resources are needed to complete them. However, some are willing to listen to your advice.

Advice to Senior Management

Minimize daily emails and understand that it gives a daily impression to those working under you.

Pros

Collegial environment, but it helps to know people because hours can be brutal.

Cons

Not enough feedback on work product.

Advice to Senior Management

Please provide more transparency on a daily basis rather than at annual review.

Pros

This is a high-paying job for recent college graduates looking to get a feel for life as a lawyer. The associates and partners are exceptionally bright and generally have some of the highest profile clients in American litigation. You get front-row access to what it's like to bring a case to trial.

Cons

It's a good place to "tread water", but - for those on the 2-year program - it's not a great place for career development. The work is primarily focused on organizing and processing documents. Paralegals do not generally perform legal analysis.

Advice to Senior Management

I think management does an excellent job at hiring and retaining top talent. I would perhaps encourage a more focused mentorship program to help paralegals develop professional skills (presentation, communication, writing, etc.).

Pros

PW is an excellent law firm staffed with incredibly talented individuals. In terms of law firm life, it is one of the best places to work in NY or elsewhere.

Cons

Typical law firm life in terms of long hours, working weekends, and heavy workloads. Sometimes cases are staffed with too many people and you get less interesting work.

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage more open and free communication exchange between senior leaders and rank and file associates. Encourage associates to strive forr more work/life balance.

Pros

Smart people, great work, as much responsibility as you can handle

Cons

Sweatshop, meat grinder atmosphere, some sharp elbows.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't throw staplers at people

Pros

Great Midtown location, brilliant people, prestigious perks (car services galore, expensive meals, etc)

Cons

Total grind. All it was was a factory to churn out paper.

Advice to Senior Management

Make non-legal staff feel like they are actually worth something to the lawyers. Paralegals were treated like cogs in the wheel; if one leaves, no worries--just pop another in!

Pros

Great benefits, youthful culture, good snapshot for people contemplating attending law school. There are plenty of happy hours, you'll get the opportunity to work with some of the brightest legal minds in the world and will have the opportunity to work with very large commercial litigation cases.

Cons

Rough work-life balance. Will pull all-nighters. Compensated with overtime though for your extra time. Standard work week is 55-60 hrs/'wk, but all hours after 35 are time and a half.

Advice to Senior Management

Train lawyers in management and leadership styles and techniques.

Pros

You receivef ree Poland Spring Water

Cons

Very low pay and no personal days.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop being stingy