Quinn Forum

[bigboybob]

Does John Quinn still get a list every month of associates billing less than 200 hours a month? This was reported back in 2011. Curious what is the deal here.

[Anonymous User]

Does John Quinn still get a list every month of associates billing less than 200 hours a month? This was reported back in 2011. Curious what is the deal here.

Does anyone ever have anything good to say about Quinn??

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

Dial it down just a smidgen if you want to be plausible. 2100 expectation is definitely not reasonable. I'm sorry the other firms were even more toxic but living in fear is not the norm. Also what year are you, that you've been there "years" and were in "several" firms prior?

I am however curious about the above market bonus that nobody knows about. Can you please elaborate?

[Anonymous User]

This is the retention bonus: https://www.abajournal.com/news/article ... fter_three

Re: 2100 hours- how many hours do you think the typical V10 lit associate bills annually (I think it’s fair to consider Quinn a top-10 lit firm)?

2100 is a lot less than some top lit groups expect (e.g. cravath, wachtell). IMO it’s closer to median for a top lit firm, not the crazy high outlier some suggest.

There may be firms where you can bill a bit less, but not many peer firms, I don’t think.

So while the hours aren’t low, they’re also not the worst, and not high enough to offset all the unique advantages Quinn offers (in my assessment, at least).

[Anonymous User]

I've been opposite Quinn and co-counsel with Quinn and I find their work generally on the sloppy side and their lawyers consistently over the top aggressive. Maybe it's an amazing place to work, but I couldn't bring myself to go there.

[Anonymous User]

This is the retention bonus: https://www.abajournal.com/news/article ... fter_three

Re: 2100 hours- how many hours do you think the typical V10 lit associate bills annually (I think it’s fair to consider Quinn a top-10 lit firm)?

2100 is a lot less than some top lit groups expect (e.g. cravath, wachtell). IMO it’s closer to median for a top lit firm, not the crazy high outlier some suggest.

There may be firms where you can bill a bit less, but not many peer firms, I don’t think.

So while the hours aren’t low, they’re also not the worst, and not high enough to offset all the unique advantages Quinn offers (in my assessment, at least).

If you're in the firm you should be able to provide more than a public link. What's your year and overall comp for '22?

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

You guys hiring of counsel positions in dc? Im at one of the banking agencies as an enforcement attorney looking to make the jump. Also, whats base salary for counsel?

[BigLawPartner]

I've been opposite Quinn and co-counsel with Quinn and I find their work generally on the sloppy side and their lawyers consistently over the top aggressive. Maybe it's an amazing place to work, but I couldn't bring myself to go there.

Spot on.

[Moneytrees]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

IS 2100 the minimum threshold for a bonus? If so, that's very high, particularly for such a well regarded firm. Doesn't most of the V10/V20 not even have a minimum?

[Anonymous User]

I've been opposite Quinn and co-counsel with Quinn and I find their work generally on the sloppy side and their lawyers consistently over the top aggressive. Maybe it's an amazing place to work, but I couldn't bring myself to go there.

This. I caught them in a big mistake once that they had to go to the court about, and their explanation was that they were offended we said something about it.

I get that lots of plaintiff's attorneys think they need to be big, loud, and aggressive to win (and that clients love that), but it doesn't do you any favors for reputation. I suspect that's a big part of why they get shit on so much (in addition to asking for 100 more hours than any other firm I know of in order to make market, actual hours notwithstanding).

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

Do you know what their transactional and in particular their Capital Markets side is like, workload and culture wise? I am in this practice area and have considered Quinn precisely because of their WFH policy (is it really permanent?) but still somewhat on the fence on whether I should try to get my hat in the ring.

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

Do you know what their transactional and in particular their Capital Markets side is like, workload and culture wise? I am in this practice area and have considered Quinn precisely because of their WFH policy (is it really permanent?) but still somewhat on the fence on whether I should try to get my hat in the ring.

Nonexistent. The firm only does disputes (litigation and arbitration).

[Anonymous User]

Another litigator chiming in to confirm that Quinn has an awful reputation among opposing counsel in NYC. I don't think I've met a single litigator who doesn't groan when Quinn's name comes up, at my firm (V5) or otherwise. I'd honestly be very hesitant to hire anyone who'd worked there.

To be clear, this isn't Quinn's marketing spiel of "we're so good people hate us." I've personally found them mediocre at best; the one case I had against them was a complete victory for my side. The issue is Quinn's approach of being maximally aggressive at all times, which the firm seems to revel in but which is often counterproductive and always unpleasant.

[johndhi]

The anonymous posts of people saying "oh, quinn is made up of bad lawyers" are pretty stupid/annoying. It's like 800 lawyers, many of whom are objectively excellent. Is Kathleen Sullivan, the former dean of Stanford law school, a "sloppy lawyer who's frankly too aggressive"?

I'm not saying every attorney at Quinn is the best thing since sliced bread, and when I worked there, some (but not most) of them were assholes, but it's a little silly to say "I wouldn't hire someone from there." Dozens of my friends who worked there are working at the best in-house/government/law firm gigs available. The reputation is just fine.

IMO the bonus hours requirement *is* a legit detractor if you're trying to cruise, but I agree with the guy in this thread who pointed out there a lot of good things about them. Namely that there's almost zero bullshit meetings/committees/departments asking stuff of you. All they want is you to be a litigator.

[Anonymous User]

Another vote that Quinn NY in particular has a cultural problem with encouraging over-the-top aggression in all situations. Also a lot of difficult or strange personalities. Some people thrive in the chaos, and the people who do do have an enthusiasm for the firm that’s unusual in biglaw, but it’s certainly chaos.

[Anonymous User]

You don't get to both advertise on your site that other firms are "afraid" of you, and whine online when you get a reputation for being assholes. Own it.

[Anonymous User]

The anonymous posts of people saying "oh, quinn is made up of bad lawyers" are pretty stupid/annoying. It's like 800 lawyers, many of whom are objectively excellent. Is Kathleen Sullivan, the former dean of Stanford law school, a "sloppy lawyer who's frankly too aggressive"?

I'm not saying every attorney at Quinn is the best thing since sliced bread, and when I worked there, some (but not most) of them were assholes, but it's a little silly to say "I wouldn't hire someone from there." Dozens of my friends who worked there are working at the best in-house/government/law firm gigs available. The reputation is just fine.

IMO the bonus hours requirement *is* a legit detractor if you're trying to cruise, but I agree with the guy in this thread who pointed out there a lot of good things about them. Namely that there's almost zero bullshit meetings/committees/departments asking stuff of you. All they want is you to be a litigator.

Glad we agree Quinn is not the best, though they certainly tend to think they are.

Regardless, I think we all understand that there's a difference between internal culture and external perceptions. You're right that there may be good and bad apples everywhere, but there's a reason Quinn has a reputation for being over the top aggressive - it's because on average, they really are. So you're not really proving anything by talking about Sully. I welcome someone else to chime in about having a pleasant experience with Quinn on the other side of the V.

Also, take a dose of your own medicine. A few people finding good exit options doesn't mean the firm as a whole has a "fine" reputation. We can all agree that for whatever reason, Quinn lands some accomplished, well-credentialed associates. And they also give associates relatively good opportunities when working on cases (compared to massive biglaw staffing). I think exit options have more to do with those things than any agency/client saying specifically that they want to hire one of the good ole boys from Quinn.

[Anonymous User]

The anonymous posts of people saying "oh, quinn is made up of bad lawyers" are pretty stupid/annoying. It's like 800 lawyers, many of whom are objectively excellent. Is Kathleen Sullivan, the former dean of Stanford law school, a "sloppy lawyer who's frankly too aggressive"?

I'm not saying every attorney at Quinn is the best thing since sliced bread, and when I worked there, some (but not most) of them were assholes, but it's a little silly to say "I wouldn't hire someone from there." Dozens of my friends who worked there are working at the best in-house/government/law firm gigs available. The reputation is just fine.

IMO the bonus hours requirement *is* a legit detractor if you're trying to cruise, but I agree with the guy in this thread who pointed out there a lot of good things about them. Namely that there's almost zero bullshit meetings/committees/departments asking stuff of you. All they want is you to be a litigator.

Glad we agree Quinn is not the best, though they certainly tend to think they are.

Regardless, I think we all understand that there's a difference between internal culture and external perceptions. You're right that there may be good and bad apples everywhere, but there's a reason Quinn has a reputation for being over the top aggressive - it's because on average, they really are. So you're not really proving anything by talking about Sully. I welcome someone else to chime in about having a pleasant experience with Quinn on the other side of the V.

Also, take a dose of your own medicine. A few people finding good exit options doesn't mean the firm as a whole has a "fine" reputation. We can all agree that for whatever reason, Quinn lands some accomplished, well-credentialed associates. And they also give associates relatively good opportunities when working on cases (compared to massive biglaw staffing). I think exit options have more to do with those things than any agency/client saying specifically that they want to hire one of the good ole boys from Quinn.

I don’t think there’s anything in the post you’re quoting that challenges the idea that internal culture and external perceptions can be different, and I took the post you’re quoting as talking about the internal culture as much as if not more than external perceptions.

Also, do agencies/clients generally say “we want to hire a good ol’ boy from [not Quinn]” as opposed to looking for the right experience and qualifications? How is Quinn different or how is this a knock against Quinn? I don’t think most exit options are open to people who don’t have experience/qualifications even if people find going up against their firm a pleasant experience.

[Anonymous User]

Also, do agencies/clients generally say “we want to hire a good ol’ boy from [not Quinn]” as opposed to looking for the right experience and qualifications? How is Quinn different or how is this a knock against Quinn? I don’t think most exit options are open to people who don’t have experience/qualifications even if people find going up against their firm a pleasant experience.

It's not a knock at Quinn at all - it's a knock at the idea that people landing good jobs from Quinn means their reputation is "just fine."

[Anonymous User]

Also, do agencies/clients generally say “we want to hire a good ol’ boy from [not Quinn]” as opposed to looking for the right experience and qualifications? How is Quinn different or how is this a knock against Quinn? I don’t think most exit options are open to people who don’t have experience/qualifications even if people find going up against their firm a pleasant experience.

It's not a knock at Quinn at all - it's a knock at the idea that people landing good jobs from Quinn means their reputation is "just fine."

Then how much does it matter?

[Anonymous User]

Yes, me. I've been an associate there for years. It's an awesome place to work. Significantly above-market pay (due to the little-known retention bonus), reasonable hours expectation (2100, extra comp if you bill more than that), 100% WFH forever, informal and fun culture, can do plaintiff-side work if interested, total free market system so associates have control over their practices - and by extension their lives.

In sum: It is a transparent firm that offers its associates a very fair deal.

And the culture thing is huge for me. I worked at several other law firms before and found the atmosphere to be oppressive, stuffy, and permeated by fear. Offices where you could hear a pin drop, everyone was on edge, and associates were dropping like flies every week. Quinn is not like that. Most of my colleagues are very happy to be here. It is actually is a pretty laid-back place that has retained some of its west coast startup identity. Yes the hours can be long and this type of work entails a certain level of unavoidable stress and pressure but QE provides an environment that is refreshingly devoid of BS - and I think about as fun as big law can be.

There is a lot of misinformation about Quinn on these forums. Happy to answer any questions.

I'm trying to land a spot with Quinn.
Is the 100% WFM for EVERYONE? Or, just those hired for remote positions?

[Anonymous User]

Also, do agencies/clients generally say “we want to hire a good ol’ boy from [not Quinn]” as opposed to looking for the right experience and qualifications? How is Quinn different or how is this a knock against Quinn? I don’t think most exit options are open to people who don’t have experience/qualifications even if people find going up against their firm a pleasant experience.

It's not a knock at Quinn at all - it's a knock at the idea that people landing good jobs from Quinn means their reputation is "just fine."

Then how much does it matter?

Is your question why does it matter that you work for a place that is terrible to (and hated by) opposing counsel? If you can't answer that yourself then you probably belong at Quinn.

[Anonymous User]

Also, do agencies/clients generally say “we want to hire a good ol’ boy from [not Quinn]” as opposed to looking for the right experience and qualifications? How is Quinn different or how is this a knock against Quinn? I don’t think most exit options are open to people who don’t have experience/qualifications even if people find going up against their firm a pleasant experience.

It's not a knock at Quinn at all - it's a knock at the idea that people landing good jobs from Quinn means their reputation is "just fine."

Then how much does it matter?

Is your question why does it matter that you work for a place that is terrible to (and hated by) opposing counsel? If you can't answer that yourself then you probably belong at Quinn.

Eh, I don’t work there and am not likely to. But if someone finds the rest of it appealing and can get a job out of the firm, it sounds like non-Quinn people are a little over invested in how terrible it is.

[Anonymous User]

Haters gonna hate. They hate cuz they aint. Nuff said.