Williams Mullen Reviews

Pros

Williams Mullen has a great reputation in Richmond. When I tell people I work there, there's lots of name recognition (in a positive way). The new facilities (Richmond, Raleigh) are beautiful with lots of high-tech amenities. Face time is not that much of an issue.

Cons

Like any large firm, billable hours are important. Can associates be blamed for performance if there's not enough work to go around? There are some partners who don't get along with others. Associate training is not very structured. Diversity (both minorities and women) needs lots of work. Only junior associates get billable credit for pro bono work. (Mid-level and senior associates get no credit.) Oh, and if you have your own clients? Good luck getting ANY time written off. (The billing committee jealously protects high realization rates.)

Advice to Senior Management

Making Williams Mullen a great place to work is more than just handing out wallet cards and placards for people to put in their offices.

Pros

Many attorneys are down to earth, understanding and appreciateive of the hard work the staff accomplish. Most staff work very hard and are always willing to help attorneys and other staff members with any issues or any training needed.

Cons

Management institutes policies on all staff that should really be handled with each individual employee. Case in point, today we were welcomed to work with a new policy of having a "time clock". It's the old bad apple syndrome. Rather than dealing with the rotten apples, they decide to deal with the basket as if all apples were rotten. This may be a syndrome in many businesses, but personally I think Williams Mullen, being a law firm who has a substantial employment law department, shoud be able to deal with individual issues and not institute policies on everyone because of a few slackers or people who steal time. The firm has been besmirched by previous employees who should have been dealt with individually. Had they been dealt with individually, the firm would have been saved a lot of embarrassment. It's very disappointing as a staff member to be put in a basket because management can't handle individual issues. Additionally, we were told last year we would get raises according to indivdual accomplishments. Didn't happen. Small raises were "awarded" by percentage of salary and years with the firm. Exceptionally hard workers were treated just like the slackers. Yes, the economy isn't the best, but management should, again, deal with individuals, not everyone as a "basket". If you say raises are based on merit and accomplishments - then that is what they should be based on. Communications are poor - but hopfully will improve with new management.

Advice to Senior Management

Group Think can be a dangerous matter. Many think the Challenger Disaster was caused by Group Think - people unwilling to listen to the "negative" thinkers. Well, is it negative or is it conservative, practical, cautious and correct? Should growth be to the detriment of staff? Retirement of those over 66 shouldn't effect other employees. A company has the right to retire those of retirement age - don't threaten people with firing if you haven't managed effectively previously. Positive thinking is wonderful and necessary to move ahead and progress - to keep us moving toward our future with hope and enthusiasm. But if it passes logic and moves into propoganda - with slogans meaning more than reality - with individuals taking a back seat - what have you really accomplished? A staff that is demoralized and feeling like they are being treated like children because of certain individuals who take advantage of the firm.

Pros

The building is beautiful, free beverages, lots of training available.

Cons

The communication is awful. Decisions are made concerning staff without any input from staff then they wonder why we are not excited. They have implemented a 60% Short term disability plan and now say that you don't need to have/save any sick leave, so they are taking all the prior accumulated leave away from staff as of 12/31/10!! You will be given 5 sick days per year and NO CARRY OVER!! No raises or bonuses were given which is understandable, but no one informed staff of this. You just know you didn't get it when you didn't get it. No one seemed to feel that staff was important enough to be notified of this fact. No one even said thank you to ANY staff person for all the hard work you do during the year.

Advice to Senior Management

Start treating EVERYONE with some respect or you will NEVER be voted "Best Place to Work."

Pros

Good firm. They work hard to treat the employees well.

Cons

The firm merged with other firms too fast. There are numerous offices and there is a procedure for everything which is good. However, every little thing must be submitted to and approved by the corporate office and unfortunately this process takes too long and slows down the efficiency of the firm.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus more on simplying procedures. Consider a location based approval system for smaller items with only larger items requiring approval from corporate.

Pros

Williams Mullen presented a very professional atmosphere in which to work. The office equipment and offices were always impeccable.

Cons

Compensation was very low in comparison to other legal firms. Employees were not treated as professionals. Employees were micromanaged.

Advice to Senior Management

Employees should be given comparable compensation with salaries as well as benefits. Employees should not be micromanaged in every conceivable way such as what time an employee starts their day, and what time they take a break, and what time they come and go for lunch, and what time they leave at the end of the day.

Pros

The name makes you attractive, markertable when it is time for job hunting. This 350 + lawyer office has more than a dozen offices scattered in the States of Virginia, North Carolina and Washington D.C.

Cons

Being unflexible on time off is one of the most downside at Williams Mullen. Mcro-management is another issue which makes life miserable there. You have to pay for single health insurance ($150.00 per month) and monthly parking fee (with a small amount of subsidiary, it takes more than 10 years of service to get a free parking in Richmond area, forget about Northern VA or Washington D.C.). Lack of trust is common between managers and Staff. Chain of command is the key to success there.

Advice to Senior Management

Do not fix what ain't broke, do not change what is working, and do not treat your employees as if they were stupid. Everyone has a personal life, it is not their fault if they are not healthy, if their family members who are sick. Do not jump into the conclusion that someone is guilty until it is proven. An employee drives her car in the garage (not out of the garage) at 3:30 p.m. does not mean she is GONE for the day, she just wanted a better parking space in order not to be stucked 5 levels below at quitting time. She is NOT GOING HOME, she is using her break to make her exit from garage more manageable, with less frustration.

Pros

NONE FOR MANAGEMENT!!!! Some of the employees are very nice.

Cons

Do not know how to treat employees. They treat you like you are 2 years old. Everything is so secretative. It used to be that everyone was treated like a big family. I think they have grown too big and have let a few people run the law firm. Everyone is afraid for their jobs. You never know anymore when you are going to be let go. They discriminate against older workers and workers that go out on medical leave and then come back to work--most of the time they are fired within a few months for "poor work product." They then hire younger workers who are not dedicated and do not know the work.

Advice to Senior Management

Get new management and treat employees fairly.

Pros

Large law firm with beautiful offices throughout the states of Virginia, North Carolina and Washington D.C. If you are working in the Satellite offices, you will have the advantage of working for a large law firm, and still keeping your closed-knit atmosphere advantage. It also makes you very attractive to other law firm during a job search.

Cons

No free health insurance for single employee. Parking fees will not be fully paid until completion of 11 years of service. Employees have to wait for 6 months before collecting long-term disability, there will be a gap of 4-5 months without paycheck. Absolutely no comp time, even within the same day. Micro-management is very common, especially in Richmond office "the mother ship" as it is proudly declared by management. "Setting up a precedent" is not recommendable at Williams Mullen.

Advice to Senior Management

Respect your employees, treat them with dignity. Give flexible time so your employees can take care of their parents, children, and/or their own health issues. Do not regard old age or poor health as a liability, there is a law protecting older and/or sick employees, it is governed by EEOC. Punish managers/lawyers who are bullies, do not condone their actions.