Do first year associates have their own offices? - Big Law Masterlist Forum

[Anonymous User]

DPW anon here: correct that the offices were non-window. Most floors had inward facing offices across from the outside. They were actually pretty nice. Fully frosted glass, sliding doors, more modern standing desk and accoutrements, more floor space than even a solo exterior associate office. Maybe its just cope but I preferred it to sharing.

I would also prefer solo interior to sharing window.

But, and no offense intended, there's a bit of cope when fancy V10s in the big apple are faced with this choice when I have a window office as a first year in flyover country (well not literally but it's on neither coast). With a gorgeous view. And a modern standing desk. (OK it's see through glass, that part sucks)

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

[Anonymous User]

Cadwalader NY junior, everyone has their own, exterior office with opaque wood doors, many of the windows overlook the statue of liberty. First years shared offices pre-COVID but that is probably gone for good. Extremely happy with the set up, don't love return to office but the fact that I'm not returning to sit in a windowless bullpen makes things infinitely better. Also, Herman Miller chairs, but I'd be more curious if any firms DON'T have these.

[Anonymous User]

I’m a first-year at Akin Gump NY. The office is going through a renovation at the moment, though some floors are done. In the new space, first and second years have their own offices. They’re interior but the hallway walls are all glass so you still get natural light from the office across.

[crazywafflez]

Midsized firm, not coastal, smallish market (think NOLA, STL, KC), first year, and yes, first years have their own offices, exterior window view- most assistants/paralegals also have their own offices but interior.

[Anonymous User]

I have never heard of associates sharing an office in the Texas office of any big firm. You may have to slum it in an interior office as a first year, but you’ll generally have your own.

Kirkland Houston gives first years either their own internal office or a window office that they share with one other person.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

Yup, nobody can see into your office. K&E Chicago has a cafe/cafeteria/full service bar on the 24th floor and everything is free (for now) including booze. First years are mostly on the same floors as their practice groups but their offices aren’t necessarily close to each other.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

Yup, nobody can see into your office. K&E Chicago has a cafe/cafeteria/full service bar on the 24th floor and everything is free (for now) including booze. First years are mostly on the same floors as their practice groups but their offices aren’t necessarily close to each other.

Uh, wait. There's a bar in there? Where???

On the office space: I would be shocked if the new building we're moving to next year does not have the godforsaken glass windows. KE NY has them and I think one of the reasons we're moving is that it was cheaper to move than to renovate the current space to put them in. Almost certainly interior offices, too.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

Yup, nobody can see into your office. K&E Chicago has a cafe/cafeteria/full service bar on the 24th floor and everything is free (for now) including booze. First years are mostly on the same floors as their practice groups but their offices aren’t necessarily close to each other.

Uh, wait. There's a bar in there? Where???

On the office space: I would be shocked if the new building we're moving to next year does not have the godforsaken glass windows. KE NY has them and I think one of the reasons we're moving is that it was cheaper to move than to renovate the current space to put them in. Almost certainly interior offices, too.

Damn. Even just the thought of glass windows makes me feel suffocated. The lack of privacy is off-putting. I know this sounds crazy but could be a deal breaker for someone like me. Having to watch the way you act 24/7 knowing anyone can walk by is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong, not like I'm cooking meth behind closed doors or need privacy for a decided reason. Just nice to know I'm not being physically watched or seen when I'm in my tiny space.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

Yup, nobody can see into your office. K&E Chicago has a cafe/cafeteria/full service bar on the 24th floor and everything is free (for now) including booze. First years are mostly on the same floors as their practice groups but their offices aren’t necessarily close to each other.

Uh, wait. There's a bar in there? Where???

On the office space: I would be shocked if the new building we're moving to next year does not have the godforsaken glass windows. KE NY has them and I think one of the reasons we're moving is that it was cheaper to move than to renovate the current space to put them in. Almost certainly interior offices, too.

Damn. Even just the thought of glass windows makes me feel suffocated. The lack of privacy is off-putting. I know this sounds crazy but could be a deal breaker for someone like me. Having to watch the way you act 24/7 knowing anyone can walk by is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong, not like I'm cooking meth behind closed doors or need privacy for a decided reason. Just nice to know I'm not being physically watched or seen when I'm in my tiny space.

Different firm but it's one of the main reasons I don't go back into the office and continue WFH. I always felt some anxiety and stress as I always felt watched. My stress levels have dropped precipitously since WFH.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland Chicago yes, IIRC all window offices. Not too big, not too small.

so does that mean none of those damn see through glass windows? if so, yay. anything else to note about kirkland's office? cafe? do first year associates in the same practice group have offices near each other?

Yup, nobody can see into your office. K&E Chicago has a cafe/cafeteria/full service bar on the 24th floor and everything is free (for now) including booze. First years are mostly on the same floors as their practice groups but their offices aren’t necessarily close to each other.

Uh, wait. There's a bar in there? Where???

On the office space: I would be shocked if the new building we're moving to next year does not have the godforsaken glass windows. KE NY has them and I think one of the reasons we're moving is that it was cheaper to move than to renovate the current space to put them in. Almost certainly interior offices, too.

Damn. Even just the thought of glass windows makes me feel suffocated. The lack of privacy is off-putting. I know this sounds crazy but could be a deal breaker for someone like me. Having to watch the way you act 24/7 knowing anyone can walk by is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong, not like I'm cooking meth behind closed doors or need privacy for a decided reason. Just nice to know I'm not being physically watched or seen when I'm in my tiny space.

That anon is right about Kirkland Chicago's new location having glass windows like NY. The new building is built by Pelli Clarke Pell. Their staple is modern, sleek, and all-transparent windows on every floor (interiors included).

[Anonymous User]

wtf kirkland! really???? noooo. that's oppressive.

[Anonymous User]

When I was at Davis Polk in late '10s-2020, the firm notoriously had an office space crunch in NYC that led to shared offices for surprisingly senior associates. I think some fourth years might've been sharing offices depending on group, and I shared with a fifth year as an SA. The best way to get your own space as a junior was to have an interior office. Some first years might've shared in the most-crunched groups, but I think all second-years and up had their own if they sat inside.

Can confirm that Weil still has its 4th year associates sharing an interior office

[Anonymous User]

Can someone clear up what "glass window" means here? Windows are glass. Are the individual office walls fully transparent, so that people in the hallway can see you?

If so, that could be a dealbreaker—even because of distraction, not just the oppressive feeling of being watched.

Anon b/c incoming K&E SA

[Anonymous User]

Can someone clear up what "glass window" means here? Windows are glass. Are the individual office walls fully transparent, so that people in the hallway can see you?

If so, that could be a dealbreaker—even because of distraction, not just the oppressive feeling of being watched.

Anon b/c incoming K&E SA

Dunno what KE has but my firm has glass walls, and yes everyone can see straight in. Even to partners offices. I’d prefer real walls or at least frosted glass to the hallways but it is what it is. You get used to it.

[Anonymous User]

Can someone clear up what "glass window" means here? Windows are glass. Are the individual office walls fully transparent, so that people in the hallway can see you?

If so, that could be a dealbreaker—even because of distraction, not just the oppressive feeling of being watched.

Anon b/c incoming K&E SA

Dunno what KE has but my firm has glass walls, and yes everyone can see straight in. Even to partners offices. I’d prefer real walls or at least frosted glass to the hallways but it is what it is. You get used to it.

My old v50 in dc and my current lit boutique both have completely glass walls and doors. So it’s just pure glass from floor to ceiling. It’s the worst trend in modern office architecture. Absolutely hate it. And it’s a real pain for nursing moms and others who need privacy for whatever reason. Both places had to create nursing rooms (themselves a good thing) because there is absolutely no privacy and it’s very difficult to get blinds that can cover both the wall and door (another problem with the glass wall and door combo is there is no lock, so there necessarily is space between the two panes, making it easier to hear things outside your office, and also impossible to have blinds).

[Anonymous User]

1. Skadden
2. Wilmington, DE
3. first-year
4. All first-years in all groups in Delaware have their own offices. I don't know about other markets. Big enough to put a 2-seater couch opposite the desk, or maybe a full-size one along one wall. Little closet nook with a rod for hanging coats and suits. Normal opaque walls with a normal opaque door that closes and locks. No internal-facing windows of any kind. Huge external windows.

As for all the glass walls at other firms, WTF? Ok, real estate is expensive in Manhattan, and maybe that justifies office-sharing. But what's the logic behind glass walls? Are they cheaper than cubicle partitions?

[Anonymous User]

Can someone clear up what "glass window" means here? Windows are glass. Are the individual office walls fully transparent, so that people in the hallway can see you?

If so, that could be a dealbreaker—even because of distraction, not just the oppressive feeling of being watched.

Anon b/c incoming K&E SA

Yes. Obviously it means that individual office walls are glass/fully transparent.

edit: FYI, currently the offices at K&E have walls if you're going to the Chicago office (NY is already glass walls). Chicago is moving to a new office location next year that has transparent walls in every office. So if you're a SA this summer, you'll have standard walls but no such luck when you start practice next year.

[Anonymous User]

Akin Gump
Dallas
2nd Year
All attorneys have their own external offices, including first years. Space is getting a bit tight, so not sure what will happen with the next class.

[Anonymous User]

Glass walls can be good as long as your back is not to the glass wall. Rather than people watching you, you can watch other people from behind your monitor. Also, you can get natural light, despite being in an interior office. Nothing is worse than a windowless fluorescent-lit room where it's just you and the hum of computers, lighting, and central air.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone knows about K&E LA (both DTLA and CC)? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Glass walls can be good as long as your back is not to the glass wall. Rather than people watching you, you can watch other people from behind your monitor. Also, you can get natural light, despite being in an interior office. Nothing is worse than a windowless fluorescent-lit room where it's just you and the hum of computers, lighting, and central air.

Our glass office setup is sideways, neither back nor front to hallway. One of my screens is visible to the hallway, and that one always has work stuff up. The other screen is angled so it's not visible. That's where my nonsense goes.

[Anonymous User]

Morgan Lewis' new Chicago office has glass walls, but your monitors are not visible (or at least can be angled to not be visible). I imagine that might be the case for JD Chicago and Perkins Coie Chicago who are in the same building.

[Anonymous User]

Morgan Lewis' new Chicago office has glass walls, but your monitors are not visible (or at least can be angled to not be visible). I imagine that might be the case for JD Chicago and Perkins Coie Chicago who are in the same building.

I'm in the same building (previous anon who posted about angling monitor). Didn't occur to me that the interior glass walls were a building design but I guess that makes sense.

[Anonymous User]

Latham
New York
3rd Year

First and second years are all in cubicles (though at least the cubicles are next to windows, I guess)