Firm Benefits Forum

[Anonymous User]

Isn't all of this information on each firm's NALP page?

Not in any level of specificity that would serve any utility- for example many firm's list "relocation expenses" but doesn't say what those entail

[Anonymous User]

Interested in info for Kirkland SF

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have information on Cravath?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have information on Cravath?

[Anonymous User]

What about STB ?

[Anonymous User]

Interested in any information about Milbank, beyond what's on the website.

$10k salary advance. Pay it back $1k/mo when you start. Direct bill or reimburse all bar expenses (barbri, hotel, food, etc).

No 401k match

I guess I can't be that helpful, because I honestly don't know, but I got the cheapest health plan and it's about 220/mo. Opted out of dental and vision.

Will cover moving expenses (direct bill movers).

LA office gets a parking stipend if you opt out of parking.

$35/mo for cell data if you use a personal phone.

Can get firm AmEx or get on the firm Verizon plan.

Will pay for bar fees directly.

OP here, thanks for the input, updated info in original post

This was great - thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Anybody?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have information on Cravath?

Our health insurance is a bit expensive. Other than that, don't know what to tell you.

[Anonymous User]

here's a throwback to the old days.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/b ... legal.html

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a 600-lawyer firm based in New York, offers employees a service akin to a personal issues coach and psychotherapist through a deal with Corporate Counseling Associates of Manhattan. The consulting firm has a battery of staff psychologists and social workers to provide advice on issues including stress, anxiety, depression and divorce.

Anyway-
people have asked to create something like this benefit list periodically. It's not happened.

Maybe if you want info on a specific firm, ask about that. Or even better when you get offers and are going to ick a firm based on benefits rather than culture, fit, practice group, etc.

Would love to hear about DPW perks and benefits if anyone has any inside scoop?

Before Starting
$7500 advance (interest fee) paid in Juneish following 3L, repaid in 10 monthly installments beginning January of your first year

Bar class of your choice paid for, you can direct pill or reimburse firm doesn't care, no pushback on Themis ipad package

Firm will put you up in a hotel in Buffalo or Albany, if Albany it will be an airport hotel and they provide a shuttle to the test site, if Buffalo you stay within walking distance of test center. If you are coming in from out of state but qualify to take it at Javits they will put you in a NYC hotel. Saratoga you could book your own and they would reimburse.

100% of brokers fee up to $2500, no stipulation on what broker

Movers provided if you are moving from >50 miles, have to go through their provider, does not pay for packing (but does pay for delivery of boxes and tape and stuff)

After Starting
Bonus on cravath scale, absolutely no stated or implicit hours requirement

4 weeks vacation accruing in monthly increments. Most people take all 4 weeks (or if not 4 then 3) and those providing vacation coverage goes to heroic lengths to protect associates - this gets worse as one gets more senior, not for lack of effort by anyone at the firm but moreso because of clients not really caring so long as you are answering their email. If you are short on vacation days you can borrow forward with no pushback. If you have time left when you quit a max of 5 or 10 days is paid out (even if you can accrue beyond that)

Equinox is $50 for just Grand Central, $110 for all access, can get NYSC or Crunch for like $30 all access

Firm will give you an iphone, no longer offers blackberry as an option to incoming associates. If you want to keep two phones they support that, if you want to go to one phone and use the firm provided phone they support that (and i've not heard a single horror story about the firm creeping on your phone - they specifically mentioned Tinder as something they didn't care about during orientation). If you want a single phone but want the newest and greatest you are mostly on your own, they give you whatever version of iphone they give you (often a year behind because of Apple's release cycle).

Health insurance is high deductible with a $1k annual stipend put into an HSA - for an individual with no dependents it's ~$300/month deducted from your paycheck if you take dental and vision

No 401k match, standard suite of Fidelity options including de minimis fee index funds and more creative funds with higher (but i think invariably <1%) management fees

Seamless policy is $25 and you need to work 10 hours - neither the dollar limit or the hours worked requirement is actively enforced or even regularly audited so it's more a guideline than a rule but i look forward to a brave soul talking about how terrible it sounds

Black car available and waiting anytime after 7 or so, stated policy is you need to work past 8:30. Again, not enforced or audited, i generally take a cab home (since the black cars send you west initially which is not where I or most associates live) at any point after 7:45 or so

Subsidized cafeteria with a lot of variety, same provider as several other law firms so not a real advantage but a convenient option

24/7 word processing support

4-6 attorneys per secretary, usually evenly spread between partners/seniors/juniors

Sit with groups and share offices for between 2 and 4 years. All offices have windows, desk set up is senior person behind junior person (so senior can see junior's screen) - substantial majority of second years are in the back desk except for groups that are both large and confined to one floor


If you or anyone has more specific questions i'm happy to answer.

[Anonymous User]

Does Latham cover moving costs? Also, is their bar stipend an advance or just straight up cash?

[Anonymous User]

Does Latham cover moving costs? Also, is their bar stipend an advance or just straight up cash?

Yes and cash.

[Anonymous User]

here's a throwback to the old days.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/b ... legal.html

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a 600-lawyer firm based in New York, offers employees a service akin to a personal issues coach and psychotherapist through a deal with Corporate Counseling Associates of Manhattan. The consulting firm has a battery of staff psychologists and social workers to provide advice on issues including stress, anxiety, depression and divorce.

Anyway-
people have asked to create something like this benefit list periodically. It's not happened.

Maybe if you want info on a specific firm, ask about that. Or even better when you get offers and are going to ick a firm based on benefits rather than culture, fit, practice group, etc.

Would love to hear about DPW perks and benefits if anyone has any inside scoop?

Before Starting
$7500 advance (interest fee) paid in Juneish following 3L, repaid in 10 monthly installments beginning January of your first year

Bar class of your choice paid for, you can direct pill or reimburse firm doesn't care, no pushback on Themis ipad package

Firm will put you up in a hotel in Buffalo or Albany, if Albany it will be an airport hotel and they provide a shuttle to the test site, if Buffalo you stay within walking distance of test center. If you are coming in from out of state but qualify to take it at Javits they will put you in a NYC hotel. Saratoga you could book your own and they would reimburse.

100% of brokers fee up to $2500, no stipulation on what broker

Movers provided if you are moving from >50 miles, have to go through their provider, does not pay for packing (but does pay for delivery of boxes and tape and stuff)

After Starting
Bonus on cravath scale, absolutely no stated or implicit hours requirement

4 weeks vacation accruing in monthly increments. Most people take all 4 weeks (or if not 4 then 3) and those providing vacation coverage goes to heroic lengths to protect associates - this gets worse as one gets more senior, not for lack of effort by anyone at the firm but moreso because of clients not really caring so long as you are answering their email. If you are short on vacation days you can borrow forward with no pushback. If you have time left when you quit a max of 5 or 10 days is paid out (even if you can accrue beyond that)

Equinox is $50 for just Grand Central, $110 for all access, can get NYSC or Crunch for like $30 all access

Firm will give you an iphone, no longer offers blackberry as an option to incoming associates. If you want to keep two phones they support that, if you want to go to one phone and use the firm provided phone they support that (and i've not heard a single horror story about the firm creeping on your phone - they specifically mentioned Tinder as something they didn't care about during orientation). If you want a single phone but want the newest and greatest you are mostly on your own, they give you whatever version of iphone they give you (often a year behind because of Apple's release cycle).

Health insurance is high deductible with a $1k annual stipend put into an HSA - for an individual with no dependents it's ~$300/month deducted from your paycheck if you take dental and vision

No 401k match, standard suite of Fidelity options including de minimis fee index funds and more creative funds with higher (but i think invariably <1%) management fees

Seamless policy is $25 and you need to work 10 hours - neither the dollar limit or the hours worked requirement is actively enforced or even regularly audited so it's more a guideline than a rule but i look forward to a brave soul talking about how terrible it sounds

Black car available and waiting anytime after 7 or so, stated policy is you need to work past 8:30. Again, not enforced or audited, i generally take a cab home (since the black cars send you west initially which is not where I or most associates live) at any point after 7:45 or so

Subsidized cafeteria with a lot of variety, same provider as several other law firms so not a real advantage but a convenient option

24/7 word processing support

4-6 attorneys per secretary, usually evenly spread between partners/seniors/juniors

Sit with groups and share offices for between 2 and 4 years. All offices have windows, desk set up is senior person behind junior person (so senior can see junior's screen) - substantial majority of second years are in the back desk except for groups that are both large and confined to one floor


If you or anyone has more specific questions i'm happy to answer.

Wow thank you so much! If anyone has info about Weil re: anything that might differ from the above, that'd be great.

[Anonymous User]

here's a throwback to the old days.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/b ... legal.html

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a 600-lawyer firm based in New York, offers employees a service akin to a personal issues coach and psychotherapist through a deal with Corporate Counseling Associates of Manhattan. The consulting firm has a battery of staff psychologists and social workers to provide advice on issues including stress, anxiety, depression and divorce.

Anyway-
people have asked to create something like this benefit list periodically. It's not happened.

Maybe if you want info on a specific firm, ask about that. Or even better when you get offers and are going to ick a firm based on benefits rather than culture, fit, practice group, etc.

Would love to hear about DPW perks and benefits if anyone has any inside scoop?

Before Starting
$7500 advance (interest fee) paid in Juneish following 3L, repaid in 10 monthly installments beginning January of your first year

Bar class of your choice paid for, you can direct pill or reimburse firm doesn't care, no pushback on Themis ipad package

Firm will put you up in a hotel in Buffalo or Albany, if Albany it will be an airport hotel and they provide a shuttle to the test site, if Buffalo you stay within walking distance of test center. If you are coming in from out of state but qualify to take it at Javits they will put you in a NYC hotel. Saratoga you could book your own and they would reimburse.

100% of brokers fee up to $2500, no stipulation on what broker

Movers provided if you are moving from >50 miles, have to go through their provider, does not pay for packing (but does pay for delivery of boxes and tape and stuff)

After Starting
Bonus on cravath scale, absolutely no stated or implicit hours requirement

4 weeks vacation accruing in monthly increments. Most people take all 4 weeks (or if not 4 then 3) and those providing vacation coverage goes to heroic lengths to protect associates - this gets worse as one gets more senior, not for lack of effort by anyone at the firm but moreso because of clients not really caring so long as you are answering their email. If you are short on vacation days you can borrow forward with no pushback. If you have time left when you quit a max of 5 or 10 days is paid out (even if you can accrue beyond that)

Equinox is $50 for just Grand Central, $110 for all access, can get NYSC or Crunch for like $30 all access

Firm will give you an iphone, no longer offers blackberry as an option to incoming associates. If you want to keep two phones they support that, if you want to go to one phone and use the firm provided phone they support that (and i've not heard a single horror story about the firm creeping on your phone - they specifically mentioned Tinder as something they didn't care about during orientation). If you want a single phone but want the newest and greatest you are mostly on your own, they give you whatever version of iphone they give you (often a year behind because of Apple's release cycle).

Health insurance is high deductible with a $1k annual stipend put into an HSA - for an individual with no dependents it's ~$300/month deducted from your paycheck if you take dental and vision

No 401k match, standard suite of Fidelity options including de minimis fee index funds and more creative funds with higher (but i think invariably <1%) management fees

Seamless policy is $25 and you need to work 10 hours - neither the dollar limit or the hours worked requirement is actively enforced or even regularly audited so it's more a guideline than a rule but i look forward to a brave soul talking about how terrible it sounds

Black car available and waiting anytime after 7 or so, stated policy is you need to work past 8:30. Again, not enforced or audited, i generally take a cab home (since the black cars send you west initially which is not where I or most associates live) at any point after 7:45 or so

Subsidized cafeteria with a lot of variety, same provider as several other law firms so not a real advantage but a convenient option

24/7 word processing support

4-6 attorneys per secretary, usually evenly spread between partners/seniors/juniors

Sit with groups and share offices for between 2 and 4 years. All offices have windows, desk set up is senior person behind junior person (so senior can see junior's screen) - substantial majority of second years are in the back desk except for groups that are both large and confined to one floor


If you or anyone has more specific questions i'm happy to answer.

Hey, thank you so much for this. The emphasis on vacation sanctity pushed by the firm and corroborated by associates was a big plus for me. It's good to hear from an anonymous source that it's a real thing.

Um, one dumb question on taking cars home and Seamless. At what point is it reasonable to start pushing on the guidelines? Do you think brand new associates should be careful with it, or is it something that really isn't audited at all?

[Roy McAvoy]

here's a throwback to the old days.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/b ... legal.html

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a 600-lawyer firm based in New York, offers employees a service akin to a personal issues coach and psychotherapist through a deal with Corporate Counseling Associates of Manhattan. The consulting firm has a battery of staff psychologists and social workers to provide advice on issues including stress, anxiety, depression and divorce.

Anyway-
people have asked to create something like this benefit list periodically. It's not happened.

Maybe if you want info on a specific firm, ask about that. Or even better when you get offers and are going to ick a firm based on benefits rather than culture, fit, practice group, etc.

Would love to hear about DPW perks and benefits if anyone has any inside scoop?

Before Starting
$7500 advance (interest fee) paid in Juneish following 3L, repaid in 10 monthly installments beginning January of your first year

Bar class of your choice paid for, you can direct pill or reimburse firm doesn't care, no pushback on Themis ipad package

Firm will put you up in a hotel in Buffalo or Albany, if Albany it will be an airport hotel and they provide a shuttle to the test site, if Buffalo you stay within walking distance of test center. If you are coming in from out of state but qualify to take it at Javits they will put you in a NYC hotel. Saratoga you could book your own and they would reimburse.

100% of brokers fee up to $2500, no stipulation on what broker

Movers provided if you are moving from >50 miles, have to go through their provider, does not pay for packing (but does pay for delivery of boxes and tape and stuff)

After Starting
Bonus on cravath scale, absolutely no stated or implicit hours requirement

4 weeks vacation accruing in monthly increments. Most people take all 4 weeks (or if not 4 then 3) and those providing vacation coverage goes to heroic lengths to protect associates - this gets worse as one gets more senior, not for lack of effort by anyone at the firm but moreso because of clients not really caring so long as you are answering their email. If you are short on vacation days you can borrow forward with no pushback. If you have time left when you quit a max of 5 or 10 days is paid out (even if you can accrue beyond that)

Equinox is $50 for just Grand Central, $110 for all access, can get NYSC or Crunch for like $30 all access

Firm will give you an iphone, no longer offers blackberry as an option to incoming associates. If you want to keep two phones they support that, if you want to go to one phone and use the firm provided phone they support that (and i've not heard a single horror story about the firm creeping on your phone - they specifically mentioned Tinder as something they didn't care about during orientation). If you want a single phone but want the newest and greatest you are mostly on your own, they give you whatever version of iphone they give you (often a year behind because of Apple's release cycle).

Health insurance is high deductible with a $1k annual stipend put into an HSA - for an individual with no dependents it's ~$300/month deducted from your paycheck if you take dental and vision

No 401k match, standard suite of Fidelity options including de minimis fee index funds and more creative funds with higher (but i think invariably <1%) management fees

Seamless policy is $25 and you need to work 10 hours - neither the dollar limit or the hours worked requirement is actively enforced or even regularly audited so it's more a guideline than a rule but i look forward to a brave soul talking about how terrible it sounds

Black car available and waiting anytime after 7 or so, stated policy is you need to work past 8:30. Again, not enforced or audited, i generally take a cab home (since the black cars send you west initially which is not where I or most associates live) at any point after 7:45 or so

Subsidized cafeteria with a lot of variety, same provider as several other law firms so not a real advantage but a convenient option

24/7 word processing support

4-6 attorneys per secretary, usually evenly spread between partners/seniors/juniors

Sit with groups and share offices for between 2 and 4 years. All offices have windows, desk set up is senior person behind junior person (so senior can see junior's screen) - substantial majority of second years are in the back desk except for groups that are both large and confined to one floor


If you or anyone has more specific questions i'm happy to answer.

This may be a stupid question, but is it standard in other markets (besides NYC) to share offices? I haven't heard of or seen that happening here in TX, but it's quite possible I've just been to the only firms that don't do this.

[Anonymous User]

What's the scoop on Debevoise?

[Anonymous User]

This may be a stupid question, but is it standard in other markets (besides NYC) to share offices? I haven't heard of or seen that happening here in TX, but it's quite possible I've just been to the only firms that don't do this.

It's a very NY thing. Some DC offices might employ this method as well, but otherwise almost exclusive to NY.

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Morgan Lewis?

[Anonymous User]

I'd be thrilled to hear about Reed Smith.

[Anonymous User]

Sheppard Mullin LA:

Bar stipend: $8k paid out just after graduation (grant, not a loan). Firm pays for Themis or BarBri. You're on the hook for all of the fees related to the bar exam (finger printing, hotels, etc).

Relocation benefits: paid

Health benefits: the firm just moved from fully covering everything to associate contributions. That said, it's still great. If you're single it's around $250 a month for full medical, dental, and vision.

Salary advance: n/a

Gym stipend: nothing direct. You get a pittance back from the firm via the healthcare providers if you jump through some hoops that aren't worth the time.

Phone/internet/laptop: Firm provides a laptop. $70 per month for mobile/data reimbursed. $60 (I think) per month for home DSL/cable service. $400 every two years for a new phone/mobile device.

401k: n/a

Bonuses: Below market and paid as late as possible.

Meals: bill over 10 hours per day and you can expense $25. They are very strict on this.

24/7 word processing support

3-4 attorneys per secretary

Own offices (which are quite large compared to other LA firms)

No vacation policy ("just hit your hours and go on vacation whenever"). While this policy seems great on the face, it actually sucks because if you can't hit your hours for reasons that are outside of your control, it looks bad if you do vacation. You're also expected to be available on vacation. Obviously this varies group to group.

Firm has a full suite at Staples for every event and several sets of Dodgers tickets. They are for business development, but it's still relatively easy to get tickets.

[Anonymous User]

This may be a stupid question, but is it standard in other markets (besides NYC) to share offices? I haven't heard of or seen that happening here in TX, but it's quite possible I've just been to the only firms that don't do this.

It's a very NY thing. Some DC offices might employ this method as well, but otherwise almost exclusive to NY.

That *might* be changing as firms get new offices. In LA, Paul Hastings was always the only one that made juniors share IIRC. However, Milbank makes their first years share now and I've heard Proskauer may or is doing the same (could be totally wrong though).

[Anonymous User]

Anyone got anything on Cravath?

[Anonymous User]

How about Sidley?

[Anonymous User]

here's a throwback to the old days.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/b ... legal.html

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a 600-lawyer firm based in New York, offers employees a service akin to a personal issues coach and psychotherapist through a deal with Corporate Counseling Associates of Manhattan. The consulting firm has a battery of staff psychologists and social workers to provide advice on issues including stress, anxiety, depression and divorce.

Anyway-
people have asked to create something like this benefit list periodically. It's not happened.

Maybe if you want info on a specific firm, ask about that. Or even better when you get offers and are going to ick a firm based on benefits rather than culture, fit, practice group, etc.

Would love to hear about DPW perks and benefits if anyone has any inside scoop?

Before Starting
$7500 advance (interest fee) paid in Juneish following 3L, repaid in 10 monthly installments beginning January of your first year

Bar class of your choice paid for, you can direct pill or reimburse firm doesn't care, no pushback on Themis ipad package

Firm will put you up in a hotel in Buffalo or Albany, if Albany it will be an airport hotel and they provide a shuttle to the test site, if Buffalo you stay within walking distance of test center. If you are coming in from out of state but qualify to take it at Javits they will put you in a NYC hotel. Saratoga you could book your own and they would reimburse.

100% of brokers fee up to $2500, no stipulation on what broker

Movers provided if you are moving from >50 miles, have to go through their provider, does not pay for packing (but does pay for delivery of boxes and tape and stuff)

After Starting
Bonus on cravath scale, absolutely no stated or implicit hours requirement

4 weeks vacation accruing in monthly increments. Most people take all 4 weeks (or if not 4 then 3) and those providing vacation coverage goes to heroic lengths to protect associates - this gets worse as one gets more senior, not for lack of effort by anyone at the firm but moreso because of clients not really caring so long as you are answering their email. If you are short on vacation days you can borrow forward with no pushback. If you have time left when you quit a max of 5 or 10 days is paid out (even if you can accrue beyond that)

Equinox is $50 for just Grand Central, $110 for all access, can get NYSC or Crunch for like $30 all access

Firm will give you an iphone, no longer offers blackberry as an option to incoming associates. If you want to keep two phones they support that, if you want to go to one phone and use the firm provided phone they support that (and i've not heard a single horror story about the firm creeping on your phone - they specifically mentioned Tinder as something they didn't care about during orientation). If you want a single phone but want the newest and greatest you are mostly on your own, they give you whatever version of iphone they give you (often a year behind because of Apple's release cycle).

Health insurance is high deductible with a $1k annual stipend put into an HSA - for an individual with no dependents it's ~$300/month deducted from your paycheck if you take dental and vision

No 401k match, standard suite of Fidelity options including de minimis fee index funds and more creative funds with higher (but i think invariably <1%) management fees

Seamless policy is $25 and you need to work 10 hours - neither the dollar limit or the hours worked requirement is actively enforced or even regularly audited so it's more a guideline than a rule but i look forward to a brave soul talking about how terrible it sounds

Black car available and waiting anytime after 7 or so, stated policy is you need to work past 8:30. Again, not enforced or audited, i generally take a cab home (since the black cars send you west initially which is not where I or most associates live) at any point after 7:45 or so

Subsidized cafeteria with a lot of variety, same provider as several other law firms so not a real advantage but a convenient option

24/7 word processing support

4-6 attorneys per secretary, usually evenly spread between partners/seniors/juniors

Sit with groups and share offices for between 2 and 4 years. All offices have windows, desk set up is senior person behind junior person (so senior can see junior's screen) - substantial majority of second years are in the back desk except for groups that are both large and confined to one floor


If you or anyone has more specific questions i'm happy to answer.

Wow thank you so much! If anyone has info about Weil re: anything that might differ from the above, that'd be great.

I would also be very interested in Weil's benefits

[Anonymous User]

How about Sidley?

This is based on my experience although things may have changed:

10K Bar Stipend (not a loan)

Bar costs and bar classes, but not (to my recollection) hotel or airfare to bar.

Health plan: For family, options are ~$9k for HDHP and ~$15k for PPO. Individual or couple is much cheaper, but I don't know specifics.

Credit for phone purchase of up to $250 every two years (must install firm email app on phone). I don't believe they distribute optional BBs anymore.

$50 a month reimbursement for cellphone (with receipt on sign-up, automatic thereafter).

Cars home after accounting for 9.5 hours and/or 2.5 hrs after closing time (need not be billable time, so if you are sitting around all morning and there's a fire drill at 5 pm, you can take a cab home after ~7:30). Same for dinner - allowed with 9.5 hrs. No experience with limits on dinner, not sure if there is none or if I just don't order excessively. Expenses are entered after your time is finalized.

Weekend transportation/meals with more than 4 hours billable in office (or similar - could be 3.5 or 4.5, I don't recall.)

Probably less important to you, but CLEs with approval from partner.

I think this varies by office, but no gym or stipend where I am.

ETA: Bonuses generally at Cravath scale for 2000 hours, with meaningfully higher bonuses for substantially above 2000. I calculated it once based on ATL, and if memory serves, the additional bonuses start at ~2150 and tend to be ~$40-50/hr. Can count up to 200 pro bono hours to the 2000.

[Anonymous User]

Anything on Cleary Gottlieb would be very much appreciated