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Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:40 pm
by Anonymous User
How long has Paul Weiss had a free or subsidized cafeteria? Has it been that way longer than COVID? Any indication it will stay that way? Thanks
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 6:20 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:40 pm
How long has Paul Weiss had a free or subsidized cafeteria? Has it been that way longer than COVID? Any indication it will stay that way? Thanks
I left PW in early 2021, and they didn't have a subsidized cafeteria then. It's only been implemented in the last 18 months or so, and I understand that you get a fixed dollar amount for free every day.
I can't tell you anything more because I don't work at PW anymore.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 6:51 pm
by Anonymous User
Thanks! Did Paul Weiss have free snacks back then like they do now?
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:49 pm
by Anonymous User
I worked at PW until a couple of months ago. The Jury Room was always subsidized but they made it free during RTO in order to incentivize coming into the office. They ring up your items and there's theoretically a cap of $10 for breakfast and $15 for lunch, but that covers any meal/items you'd reasonably want (a sandwich, salad, the hot entrees, etc. plus dessert or a side if you want it). Drinks and snacks are free.
There's also a large selection of free packaged snacks and drinks on each floor that are restocked throughout the day.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2022 5:27 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 6:51 pm
Thanks! Did Paul Weiss have free snacks back then like they do now?
No PW didn't have free snacks when I was there (pre-Spring 2021). Granted, I don't think I came in the office from March 2020 until I left but the vaccines started becoming widely available in Spring 2021 and that's when I imagine PW would have started an initiative like that.
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:49 pm
I worked at PW until a couple of months ago. The Jury Room was always subsidized but they made it free during RTO in order to incentivize coming into the office.
Yes, what this person is saying has been the message from the firm's management: the prices in the jury room were subsidized. I suppose it was a little cheaper than outside food but I didn't really notice it. I'll never forget the "associate hour" early on in my time at PW, when firm chairman Brad Karp addresses questions anonymously submitted by associates. One question challenged whether the jury room is truly subsidized and as evidence compared prices (to the cent) of sodas in the JR vs sodas in the vending machine just outside the dining hall. Lol what a legend.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 12:56 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Wed Jul 20, 2022 5:27 am
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 6:51 pm
Thanks! Did Paul Weiss have free snacks back then like they do now?
No PW didn't have free snacks when I was there (pre-Spring 2021). Granted, I don't think I came in the office from March 2020 until I left but the vaccines started becoming widely available in Spring 2021 and that's when I imagine PW would have started an initiative like that.
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:49 pm
I worked at PW until a couple of months ago. The Jury Room was always subsidized but they made it free during RTO in order to incentivize coming into the office.
Yes, what this person is saying has been the message from the firm's management: the prices in the jury room were subsidized. I suppose it was a little cheaper than outside food but I didn't really notice it. I'll never forget the "associate hour" early on in my time at PW, when firm chairman Brad Karp addresses questions anonymously submitted by associates. One question challenged whether the jury room is truly subsidized and as evidence compared prices (to the cent) of sodas in the JR vs sodas in the vending machine just outside the dining hall. Lol what a legend.
I'm the quoted poster - that story is pretty funny. I assumed prices were subsidized because of the list prices of the menu items as late as Spring 2022, when I left. Stuff like a steak (grilled to order) plus a side for $10, paella for $9, etc. The food quality was pretty decent and seemed to me to be a lot cheaper for what it was than even fast-casual outside options, considering Sweetgreen and the like are $15. Regardless it's free now, which is great. I'm at another firm now, which doesn't have a cafeteria, and buying lunch adds up.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:25 am
by menudorojo
What other firms in DC or NYC have free cafeterias?
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2022 9:42 pm
by Anonymous User
menudorojo wrote: ↑Mon Jul 25, 2022 12:25 am
What other firms in DC or NYC have free cafeterias?
From what I've heard from friends - Latham, Cravath, Cleary, Kirkland, and Sullivan & Cromwell (NYC offices) all have free cafeterias.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2022 10:05 pm
by Anonymous User
As does Simpson
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 7:44 am
by Anonymous User
What are the chances firms get rid of this benefit when the first-years join soon and they push more RTO?
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:27 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:40 pm
How long has Paul Weiss had a free or subsidized cafeteria? Has it been that way longer than COVID? Any indication it will stay that way? Thanks
We went from special bonuses to free cafeterias…welcome to 2022.
Re: Free cafeteria at Paul Weiss
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:42 pm
by Anonymous User
Sidley does as well.