Firm Benefits Forum

[Anonymous User]

What are the benefits firms provide these days?

I've heard of profit-sharing and 401k matching, but it seems to be rare? It's usually just the health, benefit, PTO, and sick days?

Yup. Usually just insurance and PTO, though more firms are moving to “unlimited”. The insurance is fairly expensive to boot.

It depends on how narrowly/broadly you define "benefits." If defined to include any and all non-salary perks, benefits commonly include, in addition to PTO/sick days and insurance: Bar expenses, relocation, (some kind of) gym benefit, (some kind of) technology/phone allowance, dinner and car service for working late, and basic 401(k) (no match) and pre-tax health/transportation benefits. I'm not aware of a single law firm that still does 401(k) matching for associates (though some/many do 401(k) matching for secretaries and other staff, which may include non-attorney patent agents).

My old friend LaLi is unfortunately right that the insurance premiums are increasingly expensive (and the coverage increasingly worse).

WLRK, Susman, and Kellogg match 401(k) for associates. Those are the only firms I know of that still do.

MTO too, 3%.

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Baker Botts?

[Anonymous User]

$500 Fitness Reimbursement offered. What are the chances that this can be used for gym clothes if I already have a gym in my apt?

[Anonymous User]

What are the benefits firms provide these days?

I've heard of profit-sharing and 401k matching, but it seems to be rare? It's usually just the health, benefit, PTO, and sick days?

Yup. Usually just insurance and PTO, though more firms are moving to “unlimited”. The insurance is fairly expensive to boot.

It depends on how narrowly/broadly you define "benefits." If defined to include any and all non-salary perks, benefits commonly include, in addition to PTO/sick days and insurance: Bar expenses, relocation, (some kind of) gym benefit, (some kind of) technology/phone allowance, dinner and car service for working late, and basic 401(k) (no match) and pre-tax health/transportation benefits. I'm not aware of a single law firm that still does 401(k) matching for associates (though some/many do 401(k) matching for secretaries and other staff, which may include non-attorney patent agents).

My old friend LaLi is unfortunately right that the insurance premiums are increasingly expensive (and the coverage increasingly worse).

WLRK, Susman, and Kellogg match 401(k) for associates. Those are the only firms I know of that still do.

Hueston Hennigan matches. It will also contribute 3% even if you don't contribute yourself.

Desmarais LLP does a 4% contribution. (Not a match, they give no matter what.)

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Ropes & Gray?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Ropes & Gray?

+1

[Anonymous User]

Ropes & Gray - pretty much market benefits.

No 401k match, kind of pricey health insurance for meh benefits (option for high deductible health insurance), domestic partners can be covered, technology budget of $300 (I think) to set up your home office, in Boston the Cafe upstairs serves free dinner after 7:30 so no dinner budget, $45/month if bring your own phone, some random gym perks but nothing crazy good.

[Anonymous User]

Anything on Cravath? I hear the relevant information is available on the onboarding portal, but you are only granted access once you accept your offer.

[Anonymous User]

I've heard (anecdotally) that DPW is pretty stingy with its benefits (meals, cars home, technology, office space) relative to peers like S&C or Cravath or STB. Is that still true?

[Anonymous User]

Info for Latham LA?

Bump

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Weil?

[carsondalywashere]

Any info on Weil?

Search the thread bro

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Boies?

Based on the above the law article, staffed coffee bar and catered lunch + the ridiculous bonus structure. I also heard the FaceTime requirements are very lax.

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Kramer Levin? Thx!

[Anonymous User]

GDC LA? (I know this has been asked for several times throughout this thread)

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have insights on Foley & Lardner?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on A&P NY?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Baker McKenzie DC?

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Kramer Levin? Thx!

They give the standard benefits re insurance and gym membership, car and food after certain time, and a technology stipend.

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Kramer Levin? Thx!

They give the standard benefits re insurance and gym membership, car and food after certain time, and a technology stipend.

Any info on the phone stipend? Is it the usual $45-50 by any chance? Tyty!

[Anonymous User]

Any info on Kramer Levin? Thx!

They give the standard benefits re insurance and gym membership, car and food after certain time, and a technology stipend.

Any info on the phone stipend? Is it the usual $45-50 by any chance? Tyty!

Yes, but there’s a chance it’s 35-45, not 45-50. Can’t recall off the top of my head. Don’t think 50 tho

[Anonymous User]

Someone has to have Kirkland Chicago! Please!!!!! Assume it’s pretty close to NY, but would really like to see data on Chicago! Thank you!!!

[Anonymous User]

Someone has to have Kirkland Chicago! Please!!!!! Assume it’s pretty close to NY, but would really like to see data on Chicago! Thank you!!!

Can confirm the below post applies Kirkland-wide. Health/dental/vision costs may vary (although I am in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois health program coming a non-Chicago Kirkland office, so that might be the same firmwide).

Some additions to the below - the student loan refi thing gives you a $500 bonus off the balance of your loan when you use it, paychecks come twice monthly, bonuses are paid after Christmas and before New Year's (so the last week of the calendar year), and associates can make a choice either to use a firm-provided iPhone or to load firm software onto their personal iPhone and get a stipend toward their Verizon or AT&T bill.

Also the $40 for dinner is allowed after 7:00 PM so long as you bill 9.5 that day, but both of those requirements are lightly enforced at best.

Kirkland NY

Bar stipend: $10K pre-tax, paid around June

Bar prep and cost, airfare and hotel (2 days) to location (if out of state): paid

Relocation: Has contract with relocation company that will take care of move, which includes airfare for you and family members to the new location, cost of packaging, insuring, and transporting the goods, and storage of up to 30 days

Health benefits: $119-297 (single medical - just participant's contribution), dental (about $20 for single) and vision (about $8 for single)

Gym: depends on the gym - you get a discounted rate or waived initiation fee but not a stipend

Meals: Up to $40 on weekdays for dinner. Weekend you get double (lunch and dinner) allowances.

Car service: after 8pm and/or before 7am (provided you met the hours requirement) for weekday. Weekend: anytime, from and to, provided you work min of 2hrs

Used to have your own offices - might change for incoming junior associates.

Phone/Laptop: Firm provided laptop and Iphone.

401k: n/a

Bonuses: market shattering supposedly

No vacation policy, but can't see anyone taking more than 6 weeks off a year

Other misc. benefits: Has a student loan refinancing program

[Anonymous User]

Any insight on Baker Botts?

[Anonymous User]

Does anybody know anything about Ropes & Gray's Investment Plan for Associates and Counsel? Does it pay out often/are payouts at all significant?