Long term health of K & L Gates? Forum

[First Offense]

http://abovethelaw.com/2015/07/barbaria ... -kl-gates/

Losing a lot of partners and revenue drying up. While this isn't quite Dewey, it seems like there is serious trouble. Any current associates with insights?

[Anonymous User]

We have meetings every month about the financial health of the firm, and I am optimistic. Our revenue has actually been up over the last few months, and we're on track to have a record year. Utilization in our office has been great through the summer -- something that's usually hard because of the beautiful weather, the summer associates, and the vacation days. I've heard nothing about "reducing printing" and I print A LOT.

I've been crazy busy over the last few months. Like can't-breathe-busy.

[Anonymous User]

I am a summer there. The office is ridiculously busy--every department. All of the 1st years start dates got moved up because of how busy the office is.


I think the firm's problem has to do with how quickly it expanded worldwide. That kind of growth should be more drawn out and carefully considered.

[Desert Fox]

[Anonymous User]

I am a summer there. The office is ridiculously busy--every department. All of the 1st years start dates got moved up because of how busy the office is.


I think the firm's problem has to do with how quickly it expanded worldwide. That kind of growth should be more drawn out and carefully considered.

moved up from what? I know class of 2013 didn't start until Jan 2014

I think that January has been the firmwide starting month for quite a while. Most of the incoming first years at my office will be starting in September.

[Anonymous User]

I am a summer there. The office is ridiculously busy--every department. All of the 1st years start dates got moved up because of how busy the office is.


I think the firm's problem has to do with how quickly it expanded worldwide. That kind of growth should be more drawn out and carefully considered.

What office? the ATL article said that NY is dead. That is what I have heard through the grapevine too.

Don't mistake your SA experience for the real thing....

[jd20132013]

the real thing, which you know through


Above the Law and...the grapevine.

interesting.

[First Offense]

the real thing, which you know through


Above the Law and...the grapevine.

interesting.

Tbf they source from law360.

[dixiecupdrinking]

I'm curious why people here report the firm being so busy while the ATL article says NY associates are averaging 1100 hours? Is it an issue of work being very unevenly distributed among different offices? I guess it would make sense that they would be doing well in Seattle/Pittsburgh or other places where they are a top dog, and less well in NY.

[buddhabelly]

I have a biglaw partner who has been mentoring me through the law school and recruiting process. He told me to steer clear of K&L.

[cdelgado]

I've posted about K&L Pittsburgh for over a year now. My suggestion--at least for that office--is to be careful.

[Anonymous User]

I would not, WOULD NOT suggest anyone summering there. Even at their largest/larger offices, you get the vibe from the very first day of work that only 3/4 or 5/6 will be getting offers based on what my friends have told me (and witnessing the summer class interact with each other as a whole). I got the sense that they were always competing/on edge and, at the end of the summer, no one knew whether they were on the chopping block or not.

[Anonymous User]

I would not, WOULD NOT suggest anyone summering there. Even at their largest/larger offices, you get the vibe from the very first day of work that only 3/4 or 5/6 will be getting offers based on what my friends have told me (and witnessing the summer class interact with each other as a whole). I got the sense that they were always competing/on edge and, at the end of the summer, no one knew whether they were on the chopping block or not.

FWIW, I've had the complete opposite experience so far this summer.

[Johann]

definitely a risky place. some data points of people being busy and an office moving up start dates from january to september doesnt really seem like a compelling argument given the facts. 800k profits per partner and flat growth the last couple of years in a booming economy is pretty damning.

[DJ JD]

.

[bearsfan23]

I've posted about K&L Pittsburgh for over a year now. My suggestion--at least for that office--is to be careful.

Uh, isn't K&L Gates's main office in Pittsburgh?

That would definitely seem troubling for the firm as a whole if that office was in trouble

[trebekismyhero]

They also are not a 100% offer firm. I know two recent grads that go no-offered from there last year.

[Desert Fox]

[Anonymous User]

Anyone want to chime in on the Dallas office?

[Anonymous User]

I'm curious why people here report the firm being so busy while the ATL article says NY associates are averaging 1100 hours? Is it an issue of work being very unevenly distributed among different offices? I guess it would make sense that they would be doing well in Seattle/Pittsburgh or other places where they are a top dog, and less well in NY.

I don't know, but ATL definitely got the "reducing printing/didn't pay Xerox" thing wrong, so I would take them with a spoonful of salt. Maybe there are people in NY that are struggling to make hours, but I haven't met them or talked to them. Everyone I know is busy, and there have been a lot of cross-office assignments where "all hands on deck; bring outside people in" are needed. Frankly, I don't see how anyone's utilization could be less than 80% so long as they're reaching out for work and generally making an effort. This could be office dependent, but I know a few people in other offices and it doesn't seem to be.

[Anonymous User]

http://abovethelaw.com/2015/07/deja-vu- ... at-law360/

Anyone got info on the Boston office?

[anonymous5491]

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[Anonymous User]

For some of us who have interviews with the firm (and just need to pick up an offer), what would those who summered at K&L or are working there say about the positive aspects and why you chose the firm? It seems like there is a lot of negative press to get over, and nevertheless, there needs to be something if the interviewer asks "why here?" It's tough figuring it out why.

[Anonymous User]

I just finished my summer with K&L in the Pittsburgh office. Several folks (out of 15) received no-offers even though they had largely favorable reviews. All of them are shocked.

If you have other options, I'd think strongly about exercising them. Put simply, there are too many question marks with KLG at this point. The revolving door is real.

That's super disconcerting.

Also, the directly above anon's question is something I was wondering too.

[Johann]

For some of us who have interviews with the firm (and just need to pick up an offer), what would those who summered at K&L or are working there say about the positive aspects and why you chose the firm? It seems like there is a lot of negative press to get over, and nevertheless, there needs to be something if the interviewer asks "why here?" It's tough figuring it out why.

This is dumb. Why pick up an offer that might not be there. Hustle for something else.