Steptoe & Johnson Reviews

Pros

Compensation very competitive compared to other DC firms

Cons

Billable requirement is high and atmosphere is high stress

Advice to Senior Management

No advice to management

Pros

It's a reputable law firm and they provide a lot of continuing education programs.

Cons

Like any job, there are some people who are difficult to work with.

Advice to Senior Management

They do a great job in providing benefits and programs (educational, health), which the employees all benefit from. I highly recommend them

Pros

The firm offers many opportunities for professional development through a series of lunch training seminars. The environment is sink or swim and you are provided with many opportunities to take projects and run with them.

Cons

Depending on the practice group, you can expect a fast-paced environment, high-pressure assignments and many early mornings, late nights and weekends. Taking time off requires multiple levels of approval and is not always granted.

Pros

The people are smart; the work is sophisticated. Steptoe recruits top talent from top law schools, but is extremely elitist (read snobby) about it.

Cons

There is almost no way to advance internally. Very few people make partner. The firm is extremely top heavy. Associates grind out the work and very few are promoted.

Advice to Senior Management

The lack of advancement opportunity is completely demoralizing. The firm needs to open up more opportunity if it wants to retain talent.

Pros

decent compensation
not as stodgy as many firms in the DC area
good interaction between underlings and managers
not as hierarchical as one might think

Cons

not much room for movement within the company if you're a low-level employee
however, if you're a contract attorny they're likely to give you a chance

Advice to Senior Management

This was probably the best document review experience I had...the people they hired were very easy to get along with. Performance benchmarks were set well, and if you adhered to them, you were recognized. All in all, a good experience.

Pros

Substantive responsiblity given even for junior people. Generally nice people to work with, and people get along here.

Cons

Lower than market compensation. Many have been leaving the firm.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay market salary if you want to keep the talent.

Pros

pay, perks, pro bono work opportunities

Cons

if you're a non-lawyer, only so far you can go in terms of getting truly substantive work -- and that's okay for some people

Advice to Senior Management

more more info with staff on how decisions are made; engage interested staff in business development activities

Pros

It is a prestigious law firm in Washington, DC. The location in Dupont Circle can not be beat and it is certainly easy to walk to may happy hour locals which you will need. As a paralegal you also can get lots of free stuff from the copy vendors, who also want to buy you drinks at happy hour so you buy photocopies from them. The Christmas party is pretty rocking, and there are good door prizes. Afterward everyone goes over to the Front Page and it's open bar. Oh yeah, the gym in the office is pretty decent as well.

Cons

You are expect to work some pretty unreasonable hours which does not leave a lot of time for work life balance. I may be 23 and not have a child, but my free time is just as valuable. I just choose not to have a family. Oh, and some of the attorneys act pretty unreasonably. You can't ask for something one way and expect to receive something else.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to what your employees say, and don't listen to the consultants.

Pros

The firm offers excellent benefits and competitive pay. Their DC office is located in Dupont Circle, near several tasty eateries and bars. Hours can be long, but management will generally accommodate leave requests and work around your schedule. Attorneys and staff are generally friendly, but interaction is limited. Most paralegals have offices, not cubicles. Firm social events for paralegals and staff are held about once every two months.

Cons

Limited face-time with attorneys and other coworkers. New hires given little help integrating into firm culture. Big firm environment can be impersonal. Some positions have limited opportunities for advancement.

Advice to Senior Management

The firm social events for paralegals and staff are a step in the right direction, but more should be done to encourage collaboration and camaraderie among employees.