What do BIGLAW firms actually look like? Forum

[march319]

What do BIGLAW firm offices (particularly in NY) look like? Is it just a bunch of offices? Do first year associates get their own offices? Multiple floors?

I picture it to be something like this: --LinkRemoved--

If anyone has pics of the inside of their firm please post. Just wondering. Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

I interned during undergrad at what could be considered "mid-law", but in South Florida, where we were located, it was one of the bigger firms. Associates had their own offices. Partners had bigger offices, typically corner offices. It was laid out by practice group. The attorney's offices were laid out around the "outside" (with windows), while the "inside" of the office had work stations for legal secretaries and private cubicles for paralegals. Like I said, it was split up by practice group.

[tengorazon]

Many associates in NYC share offices for the first couple of years.

[06072010]

I had a high-floor office looking down a major street in Manhattan. It was really stunning.

[2009 Prospective]

Seriously....?

[06072010]

Yes. First-years and summers share offices. Partner's have really swanky digs. Lawyer's get offices with views, staff get cubbys with computer screens.

We have more than 2 but less than 8 floors.

[2009 Prospective]

Yes

That was for the OP

Edit- if the OP really actually cares. Most big firms are pretty posh inside. I've always felt like it's a dick measuring type contest for when clients, opposing counsel etc. come. The one I worked at, all associates had decent size offices and the partners very nice ones. Seriously though, pictures of people's firms? Give me a break....

[06072010]

Yes

That was for the OP

hahahahah sorry. There are crummy spaces in NYC, though. I mean, none of them are like a factory, but some are better than others.

[James Bond]

Something like this --ImageRemoved--

[06072010]

Yes

That was for the OP

Edit- if the OP really actually cares. Most big firms are pretty posh inside. I've always felt like it's a dick measuring type contest for when clients, opposing counsel etc. come. The one I worked at, all associates had decent size offices and the partners very nice ones. Seriously though, pictures of people's firms? Give me a break....

Yeah seriously. I'd never out my firm on the internets, let alone pictures from inside it.

[nealric]

I've seen the inside of 10 or so firms (from callbacks and SA)

Most of them are laid out the same. There will be a "main" floor with receptionist where visitors are greeted. There tends to be a pretty swanky entrance area (but the decor can vary a lot). Attorney offices ring the outside, with secretary cubicles across the way on the inside. Some paralegals get interior (windowless) offices. Interior spaces are usually general support (like copy services) or extra conference rooms. Usually there will be a few main conference rooms with spectacular views. Most offices also have some sort of art around the halls- some firms even have some museum-quality pieces.

The office sharing thing is pretty much an NYC thing. It's part borne from economy (because office space is so expensive in NY), part from culture.

If you browse firm websites you can often find pictures.

Here is Jones Day NY: http://www.jonesday.com/files/Office/53 ... w_York.pdf
Cadwalader: http://www.cadwalader.com/photo_album.php?office=NY
Sullcrom: http://www.sullcrom.com/offices/detail.aspx?office=12
Cravath: http://www.cravath.com/Cravath.html

[Nom Sawyer]

This.. obviously

[Yimbeezy]

This.. obviously

I think you mean this

[James Bond]

This.. obviously

I think you mean this

Yep. Especially being that he's asking about BIGLAW

[Always Credited]

This is more accurate.

[Nom Sawyer]

you start out with this tho

[Yimbeezy]

you start out with this tho

Do they make these in big-white-guy size?

[Always Credited]

you start out with this tho

Do they make these in big-white-guy size?

One size fits all, much like career plans. BIGLAW or BUST.

[voice of reason]

Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--

[Cupidity]

Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--

Wow. Awesome.

[crazycanuck]

Really? 1st years get offices? That's interesting, I always had the assumption that they would get cubicles.

[dextermorgan]

I've seen the inside of 10 or so firms (from callbacks and SA)

Most of them are laid out the same. There will be a "main" floor with receptionist where visitors are greeted. There tends to be a pretty swanky entrance area (but the decor can vary a lot). Attorney offices ring the outside, with secretary cubicles across the way on the inside. Some paralegals get interior (windowless) offices. Interior spaces are usually general support (like copy services) or extra conference rooms. Usually there will be a few main conference rooms with spectacular views. Most offices also have some sort of art around the halls- some firms even have some museum-quality pieces.

The office sharing thing is pretty much an NYC thing. It's part borne from economy (because office space is so expensive in NY), part from culture.

If you browse firm websites you can often find pictures.

Here is Jones Day NY: http://www.jonesday.com/files/Office/53 ... w_York.pdf
Cadwalader: http://www.cadwalader.com/photo_album.php?office=NY
Sullcrom: http://www.sullcrom.com/offices/detail.aspx?office=12
Cravath: http://www.cravath.com/Cravath.html

Is it just me, or does Sullivan & Cromwell look just like an upscale hotel?

[Anonymous User]

I had a really baller office last summer. Office looked out onto Pennsylvania Ave., with the Washington Monument visible off to the right, and a view down towards the Captiol Building to the left. Sadly, you couldn't really see the Capitol unless you went all the way to one end of the office, but whatever.

[SamSeaborn2016]

Quinn Emanuel has a nice set of pictures and floorplans on its website.

--LinkRemoved--

"Bill has the firm's largest collection of flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts."

[FLS08]

Some other firms that show pictures of their offices:

http://stblaw.com/offices.htm
http://www.wilmerhale.com/offices/offices/