Sheppard Mullin Reviews

Pros

people leave at normal hours, good office

Pros

The people in the office are great - staff and associates.

Pros

Great health care benefits, great location

Pros

Almost impossible to get fired

Advice to Management

I don't have any advice because the problems are pretty much endemic. People are convinced the benefits are good here, they aren't even market. Staff just sits in their chairs until they stroke out. It is really sad. I have had things thrown at me, more than once, and never because of something I did. Not that there is any excuse for throwing something at and making them fear for their safety, but usually it was something out of anyone's control that went wrong, or i had to tell an associate they messed up. It was a very abusive environment. I am sad I wasted so many years being miserable here. To be fair, I think most large law firms are miserable places, but I have never been treated so incredibly poorly for working so hard and been given such pathetic "raises". Now that I have been away for a bit and have some clarity and worked in a normal environment I really feel awful for the people working there who have grown accustomed to the abuse. And God help you if you get sick with a serious illness. You have 10 weeks and if you have cancer and are having chemo, get ready to come to work anyway. They will fire you and cut off benefits if you aren't back to work by the deadline, sick or not. There is no concept of long term disability. But if you are an associate who has a baby you can take 6 months off. I guess it wouldn't be right to make a precious associate have to look at a dirty subhuman staff member with cancer. Yet people really believe the benefits are good? I can't explain it. You haven't really known how to hate your job until you hear a coworker sobbing while being screamed at for taking off so much time for chemo treatments when "ugh, it's been three months aleady!" I would live in a box before I ever came back here.

Pros

Great community. Everyone is eager to make sure your training and general transition into the firm is seamless. Decent benefits and above-average compensation.

Advice to Management

I have nothing negative to say towards management. The supervisors and office managers are easy to work with and always strive to capitalize on the strengths and interests of each employee.

Pros

There are great benefits here.

Advice to Management

Need new office administrator for sure.

Pros

The culture in the San Francisco office is very warm and supportive.

Pros

Great Work Environment and Attorneys

Pros

Challenging work, diverse culture, excellent mentors

Advice to Management

Challenge new employees early and often to identify those who can excell at more advanced work to prevent burn out

Pros

Market associate pay, mostly nice people (I worked in the DC office)

Advice to Management

Be true to who you are as a firm; stop following the big names in the city, and start thinking of innovative ways to keep your best associates. (Hint: Get rid of the billable hour as your metric. Billable hours are out of your associates' control, cause a poor quality of life, and ultimately result in you losing your best people. Yes, it's a crazy concept, but if you do it, you will be an industry leader who retains the best talent. Oh, and you'll also be better at attracting and retaining women and diverse candidates.)