Law Firms' Amenities Forum

[HP5450]

So, there are more important things to consider, but I'm curious what different law firms offer in the way of amenities and little perks. What are the digs like for first years at various NYC, Chicago, and DC firms, do they have cafeterias, gyms, discounted gym memberships, etc.

If anyone can chime in with comparisons of firms or with a link to an existing thread on this, that would be cool. I'm pretty much limiting my interest to the V20. I know some of this info is on chambers and vault, but not too much of it. Thanks.

[starrydreamz3]

Cravath, Skadden, DPW, S&C all have very nice cafeterias. Skadden has a gym in the building which I've heard is great. I also heard from a summer that S&C is doing renovations to its basement and putting a gym down there.

[El Pollito]

Cravath, Skadden, DPW, S&C all have very nice cafeterias. Skadden has a gym in the building which I've heard is great. I also heard from a summer that S&C is doing renovations to its basement and putting a gym down there.

S&C has been saying that since hurricane Sandy took out the original gym, so they are probably lying to the summers to make it seem like a more pleasant place to work.

[goldeneye]

Cravath, Skadden, DPW, S&C all have very nice cafeterias. Skadden has a gym in the building which I've heard is great. I also heard from a summer that S&C is doing renovations to its basement and putting a gym down there.

S&C has been saying that since hurricane Sandy took out the original gym, so they are probably lying to the summers to make it seem like a more pleasant place to work.

While hoping 1Ls don't realize a gym at the office means you can spend even more time there

[Lincoln]

Cravath has a "Children Center" daycare kinda thing.

[2014]

S&C gives all associates their own window offices with a water view, has free charcuteries daily, and most associates work 9:30-5:00 M-F.

Source: recruiting corroborated by summers

[Mal Reynolds]

S&C gives all associates their own window offices with a water view, has free charcuteries daily, and most associates work 9:30-5:00 M-F.

Source: recruiting corroborated by summers

Also tote bags.

[englawyer]

Possibly add these categories:

Free Meal Policy:
Free Car Policy:
Insurance Premium:

[banjo]

I've heard that some NYC offices make summers and first-years share offices. If so, that's the worst thing ever.

[sideroxylon]

I've heard that some NYC offices make summers and first-years share offices. If so, that's the worst thing ever.

you get that at many firms, first years share offices for the whole year, yeh?

[Anonymous User]

Way longer than a year at some NYC firms. Plenty of third years still share where I work.

[WhirledWorld]

Skadden also has onsite childcare.

Another good issue is budget for dinner and for summer associate outings.

[wiz]

Way longer than a year at some NYC firms. Plenty of third years still share where I work.

That sounds awful.

[Chrstgtr]

Do these places actually provide childcare that matches the schedule of a big law attorney or just during the regular hours of daycare? I find it pretty unbelievable that any of these places would have childcare that runs late enough to match the schedule of a big law attorney or that any person would actually be willing to have their child in childcare for that long.

[Anonymous User]

I think another good category to add is which private bank your firm has relationship with. Most big firms have relationships with private banking clients, and they waive the 25 million minimum for their associates. This is a pretty big perk!

Some firms give you a few choices. Some have relationships with only one.

[JVK]

Are there any other firms with gyms in the building? I'd be curious!

[Lincoln]

S&C gives all associates their own window offices with a water view, has free charcuteries daily, and most associates work 9:30-5:00 M-F.

Source: recruiting corroborated by summers

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[HP5450]

I think another good category to add is which private bank your firm has relationship with. Most big firms have relationships with private banking clients, and they waive the 25 million minimum for their associates. This is a pretty big perk!

Some firms give you a few choices. Some have relationships with only one.

Joke?

So, maybe it's that I have a financial background and don't see the value in this. But what on earth does an associate making 160k or 200k need a private bank for? You pay off as much of your loans as you can, pay the absurd NYC rent so you can have a shortish commute, max out your 401k contribution and dump what's left over into some combination of checking account and a couple index funds. What do you need a private bank for?

[2014]

You get better credit card offers, better customer service, and fees reimbursed at all ATMs.

Obviously that benefit pales in comparison to others but it's a benefit compared to the general populous.

[Lincoln]

Do these places actually provide childcare that matches the schedule of a big law attorney or just during the regular hours of daycare? I find it pretty unbelievable that any of these places would have childcare that runs late enough to match the schedule of a big law attorney or that any person would actually be willing to have their child in childcare for that long.

Regular hours, and you have to pick them up for lunch.

[Anonymous User]

Paul, Weiss offers $65 per person per meal for recruiting events, which includes taking summers or offerees out to lunch. The counter resets with each receipt too, and folks can and do abuse this by eating three meals a day, plus coffee, plus dessert, plus drinks.

[NYCFAN1]

I think another good category to add is which private bank your firm has relationship with. Most big firms have relationships with private banking clients, and they waive the 25 million minimum for their associates. This is a pretty big perk!

Some firms give you a few choices. Some have relationships with only one.

Joke?

So, maybe it's that I have a financial background and don't see the value in this. But what on earth does an associate making 160k or 200k need a private bank for? You pay off as much of your loans as you can, pay the absurd NYC rent so you can have a shortish commute, max out your 401k contribution and dump what's left over into some combination of checking account and a couple index funds. What do you need a private bank for?

A good number of new associates at big firms have no loans to repay

[Anonymous User]

5 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP New York, NY
Location: Midtown, by Grand Central
Cafeteria: Nice
Gym:
Insurance Info:
401k match:
Cab home:
Free meals:
Other:

Cafeteria - nice. Heavily subsidized. Very good food for breakfast and lunch. Most people order seamless for dinner.
Gym - Membership subsidized at NYSC and Equinox, both of which have locations within 3 minutes of the office.
Insurance - very good.
401k match - Ha. No.
Cab home - black cars billed to client after 8:30. They'll go to Westchester. Can also take a cab and get reimbursed. If you come into the office on the weekend, cab reimbursed both directions.
Free meals - $25 budget if you've billed or reasonably expect to bill 10 hours and reasonably expect to stay past 8:30. I've gotten a meal after billing less than 10 (e.g. slow day but then got hit with something at 4:00) plenty of times and never had a problem. If you bill more than 4 hours on a weekend, $25 for that. I think at some point on the weekend you can get a second meal, but I've never had to test that.
Other: Free espresso on one floor, free coffee on every floor.

[Anonymous User]

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP New York, NY
Location: Battery Park
Cafeteria: Nice enough.
Gym: Basement, was destroyed by Sandy, repairs supposed to be finished by September. Heavily subsidized memberships available at local gyms until basement gym reopens.
Insurance Info: Highly subsidized, but no PPO option available.
401k match: LOL.
Cab home: After 8PM, and to and from work at all times on weekends and holidays.
Free meals: After 6:30 PM, and at all times on weekends and holidays up to 3 meals per day. No billing requirement that I'm aware of.
Other: Very nice views from offices. Free snacks and soda at 4PM. The usual private bank type stuff.

PS: the workload isn't any different than DPW, Cravath or Cleary.

[5ky]

5 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP New York, NY
Location: Midtown, by Grand Central
Cafeteria: Nice
Gym:
Insurance Info:
401k match:
Cab home:
Free meals:
Other:

Cafeteria - nice. Heavily subsidized. Very good food for breakfast and lunch. Most people order seamless for dinner.
Gym - Membership subsidized at NYSC and Equinox, both of which have locations within 3 minutes of the office.
Insurance - very good.
401k match - Ha. No.
Cab home - black cars billed to client after 8:30. They'll go to Westchester. Can also take a cab and get reimbursed. If you come into the office on the weekend, cab reimbursed both directions.
Free meals - $25 budget if you've billed or reasonably expect to bill 10 hours and reasonably expect to stay past 8:30. I've gotten a meal after billing less than 10 (e.g. slow day but then got hit with something at 4:00) plenty of times and never had a problem. If you bill more than 4 hours on a weekend, $25 for that. I think at some point on the weekend you can get a second meal, but I've never had to test that.
Other: Free espresso on one floor, free coffee on every floor.

Do you mean $35 for dinner? $25 seems crazy low to me for dinner in NYC. I just assumed everybody had $35