Perkins Coie (Seattle) - Are they actually different/great to work at? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Not sure how much stock to put in all the "best place to work" awards they seem to receive. May be moving to Seattle soon and am considering lateralling there (specifically their Business/Corporate group). Are they actually materially different/better to work at vs. NYC biglaw? Anybody have any insight?

[SamuelDanforth]

I would be interested in knowing more too. I feel like the general consensus is that they're better than NYC biglaw, but the hours expectations have crept up over 2000 for most associates and pay remains below NYC market for mid-levels and seniors. That said, I think it has by-far the best network of any Seattle law firm.

[Anonymous User]

I would be interested in knowing more too. I feel like the general consensus is that they're better than NYC biglaw, but the hours expectations have crept up over 2000 for most associates and pay remains below NYC market for mid-levels and seniors. That said, I think it has by-far the best network of any Seattle law firm.

At one of the non-Seattle offices, and I have been told they’ve gone full lockstep through senior year for associates. Seattle may be different, but I also know Seattle matched other markets a bit ago, which makes me think it’s also lockstep up to senior year.

[Anonymous User]

Definitely the top Seattle full-service firm; some others (e.g., WSGR) have extremely specialized practices on the litigation side.

Pay is below NY market, but the lack of income tax in WA offsets this to some extent.

I have met/talked to a decent number of their attorneys--extremely friendly, respectful, and competent, with a lot of former clerks in some groups (especially product liability, which handles a lot of the cases for major clients like Boeing and Amazon). Excellent in-house opportunities at the expected Seattle players.

Work life and culture is definitely better than NY law in general.

[Anonymous User]

OP here -- thanks all for the intel. Would love to hear anything else if anybody has insight. Surprisingly difficult to find first/second hand info on Perkins despite it being a huge firm.

[Anonymous User]

I am but a mere summer associate in the Perkins business group who really hasn't even gotten a taste of how awful it is to be a real full-time associate in BL, but the vibe I get from seeing associates and partners interact with each other (rather than just paying lip-service to us to try to get us to come back) is that they're definitely busy and have pretty shitty/swamped moments like all BL, but their personalities are much more laid back than other firms I've spoken to, and the partners actually want to see that the associates have time to breathe/have the time and energy to pursue interests outside of work/etc. People were busy but I don't really encounter people who seem like they've had all of the life sucked out of them (which I definitely found a lot of during OCI).

[eastcoast_iub]

FWIW, I did an M&A deal across from them a few years ago and was amazed by how their pace was so much slower than at my V10. Anytime we got everything from their side, we had to turn it back to them promptly (working through the weekend if needed), but when we sent them stuff on a Friday or weekend, the top partner would send the equivalent of a "will do" response. It seemed like they didn't really work much on weekends and kept sane hours by BigLaw standards.

I don't know how representative this transaction was but the contrast with my firm was striking and made me envious.

[Anonymous User]

Was an associate in the corporate group in Seattle. Pay was good, when factoring in taxes, cost of living, etc, probably come out even-ish or even ahead depending on year. Nature of corporate is always going to be a grind (which is why I left), but better than NY. Group is still relatively small, and under leveraged. Awesome clients/deals/network. Partners and fellow associates were great, I learned a tremendous amount from them and I’m still in regular touch with several. Perkins has incredible brand recognition in the Seattle area which is unique for a law firm/market (also contributed to me leaving). Worked hard while I was there and had my moments of frustration but general feeling is one of gratitude, though that’s also my personality. Ymmv.

Ignore the top workplace list.