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What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:27 pm
by march319
What do BIGLAW firm offices (particularly in NY) look like? Is it just a bunch of offices? Do first year associates get their own offices? Multiple floors?

I picture it to be something like this: --LinkRemoved--

If anyone has pics of the inside of their firm please post. Just wondering. Thanks.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:50 pm
by Anonymous User
I interned during undergrad at what could be considered "mid-law", but in South Florida, where we were located, it was one of the bigger firms. Associates had their own offices. Partners had bigger offices, typically corner offices. It was laid out by practice group. The attorney's offices were laid out around the "outside" (with windows), while the "inside" of the office had work stations for legal secretaries and private cubicles for paralegals. Like I said, it was split up by practice group.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:27 pm
by tengorazon
Many associates in NYC share offices for the first couple of years.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:29 pm
by 06072010
I had a high-floor office looking down a major street in Manhattan. It was really stunning.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:35 pm
by 2009 Prospective
Seriously....? :roll:

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:37 pm
by 06072010
Yes. First-years and summers share offices. Partner's have really swanky digs. Lawyer's get offices with views, staff get cubbys with computer screens.

We have more than 2 but less than 8 floors.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:38 pm
by 2009 Prospective
PKSebben wrote:Yes
That was for the OP

Edit- if the OP really actually cares. Most big firms are pretty posh inside. I've always felt like it's a dick measuring type contest for when clients, opposing counsel etc. come. The one I worked at, all associates had decent size offices and the partners very nice ones. Seriously though, pictures of people's firms? Give me a break....

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:42 pm
by 06072010
2009 Prospective wrote:
PKSebben wrote:Yes
That was for the OP
hahahahah sorry. There are crummy spaces in NYC, though. I mean, none of them are like a factory, but some are better than others.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:48 pm
by James Bond
Something like this --ImageRemoved--

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:50 pm
by 06072010
2009 Prospective wrote:
PKSebben wrote:Yes
That was for the OP

Edit- if the OP really actually cares. Most big firms are pretty posh inside. I've always felt like it's a dick measuring type contest for when clients, opposing counsel etc. come. The one I worked at, all associates had decent size offices and the partners very nice ones. Seriously though, pictures of people's firms? Give me a break....
Yeah seriously. I'd never out my firm on the internets, let alone pictures from inside it.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:15 am
by nealric
I've seen the inside of 10 or so firms (from callbacks and SA)

Most of them are laid out the same. There will be a "main" floor with receptionist where visitors are greeted. There tends to be a pretty swanky entrance area (but the decor can vary a lot). Attorney offices ring the outside, with secretary cubicles across the way on the inside. Some paralegals get interior (windowless) offices. Interior spaces are usually general support (like copy services) or extra conference rooms. Usually there will be a few main conference rooms with spectacular views. Most offices also have some sort of art around the halls- some firms even have some museum-quality pieces.

The office sharing thing is pretty much an NYC thing. It's part borne from economy (because office space is so expensive in NY), part from culture.

If you browse firm websites you can often find pictures.

Here is Jones Day NY: http://www.jonesday.com/files/Office/53 ... w_York.pdf
Cadwalader: http://www.cadwalader.com/photo_album.php?office=NY
Sullcrom: http://www.sullcrom.com/offices/detail.aspx?office=12
Cravath: http://www.cravath.com/Cravath.html

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:25 am
by Nom Sawyer
Image

This.. obviously

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:28 am
by Yimbeezy
SolarWind wrote:Image

This.. obviously
I think you mean this

Image

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:32 am
by James Bond
Yimbeezy wrote:
SolarWind wrote:Image

This.. obviously
I think you mean this

Image
Yep. Especially being that he's asking about BIGLAW

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:33 am
by Always Credited
This is more accurate.

Image

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:36 am
by Nom Sawyer
Image

you start out with this tho

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:37 am
by Yimbeezy
SolarWind wrote:Image

you start out with this tho
Do they make these in big-white-guy size?

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:41 am
by Always Credited
Yimbeezy wrote:
SolarWind wrote:Image

you start out with this tho
Do they make these in big-white-guy size?
One size fits all, much like career plans. BIGLAW or BUST.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:49 am
by voice of reason
Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:53 am
by Cupidity
voice of reason wrote:Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--
Wow. Awesome.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:14 am
by crazycanuck
Really? 1st years get offices? That's interesting, I always had the assumption that they would get cubicles.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:17 am
by dextermorgan
nealric wrote:I've seen the inside of 10 or so firms (from callbacks and SA)

Most of them are laid out the same. There will be a "main" floor with receptionist where visitors are greeted. There tends to be a pretty swanky entrance area (but the decor can vary a lot). Attorney offices ring the outside, with secretary cubicles across the way on the inside. Some paralegals get interior (windowless) offices. Interior spaces are usually general support (like copy services) or extra conference rooms. Usually there will be a few main conference rooms with spectacular views. Most offices also have some sort of art around the halls- some firms even have some museum-quality pieces.

The office sharing thing is pretty much an NYC thing. It's part borne from economy (because office space is so expensive in NY), part from culture.

If you browse firm websites you can often find pictures.

Here is Jones Day NY: http://www.jonesday.com/files/Office/53 ... w_York.pdf
Cadwalader: http://www.cadwalader.com/photo_album.php?office=NY
Sullcrom: http://www.sullcrom.com/offices/detail.aspx?office=12
Cravath: http://www.cravath.com/Cravath.html
Is it just me, or does Sullivan & Cromwell look just like an upscale hotel?

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:20 am
by Anonymous User
I had a really baller office last summer. Office looked out onto Pennsylvania Ave., with the Washington Monument visible off to the right, and a view down towards the Captiol Building to the left. Sadly, you couldn't really see the Capitol unless you went all the way to one end of the office, but whatever.

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:43 am
by SamSeaborn2016
voice of reason wrote:Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--

"Bill has the firm's largest collection of flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts." :lol:

Re: What do BIGLAW firms actually look like?

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:29 pm
by FLS08
Some other firms that show pictures of their offices:

http://stblaw.com/offices.htm
http://www.wilmerhale.com/offices/offices/