Job Title: Associate
Location: Atlanta, GA
Submitted on: 24-Nov-04
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I worked in both the Charlotte, NC office and the Atlanta, GA office.
The Charlotte office initially was a great place to work. There were
younger and older attorneys and a very strong mentoring atmosphere.
However, in 2000 several attorneys left to work at a spin-off firm.
The partners and associates in the construction group left and took
several other attorneys and partners from the Labor group and the IP
group. Since then, this branch has been dead. There is a lack of
diversity and a work until you drop atmosphere. The conduit lending
group was birthed from Kennedy Covington, a known sweatshop.
Basically, the fun culture of play hard, work hard retired. Now, it's
just work, work, work. Again, NO DIVERSITY!!! The good ole boy days
are here to stay.
The Atlanta office is the mothership for Kilpatrick. Due to the
diversity of the city, the lack of diversity at KS is not as apparent
as it is in the Charlotte office. Once the salaries were hiked up, the
quality of living went out the door. The litigation group is
definitely a death sentence. You will work until you can work no
more. Have you ever seen Bartleby the Scribner?? This will be your
life. However, there are exceptions to the rule. If you are a female
who is all-american cute, a size 0, manipulative and has a nose for
blood, you will make it here. If you are a jock/frat type who is cocky
and feels that the world owes you for breathing, you will make it here.
This firm has fired associates on the mere basis of them "not
fitting." This is in the case of associates who have surpassed the
annual billable rate of 2,000 in addition to working over 200 pro bono
hours. If you don't dance, they won't feed you. If you don't laugh at
dumb jokes and act like an entitled prick you will be shown the door.
The number of laterals working here is unreal. This is the only way
this firm can get minorities to stay for longer than 2 years.
HOURS
As a litigation associate you need to bill at least 2000 if you are not
the sorority/fraternity type- or if a member of your family is not a
rainmaker. Also, expect to cut rather than pad your hours as you will
never want them to think that you are "slow." This means you will work
far beyond the 2000 mark. The IP group is the best group to work for in
terms of hours. This is in reference to trademarks, not patent.
There are several associates on reduced hours in this group. However,
they are known as the Hot Boys and Hot Girls b/c you still have to look
the part.
Some groups are slow in hours. The firm now shares work between
practice groups. Therefore, if you are an associate in a slow group,
such as labor or bankruptcy, you may end up working on litigation doc.
productions or even corporate due diligence.
Also, as of 2004 all attorneys are required to have a Blackberry that
the firm pays for. That should give an idea of their expectations.
DIVERSITY
There is very little. Also, you will notice that you will not be
invited to recruiting dinners or other functions unless you and your
spouse fit the "ideal image." There is very little space for the least
bit of difference. The cultural divide in this firm is HUGE. They
toot their own horn about diversity efforts, but can never keep
associates from the ground up. Those minorities who started there and
are still there are usually workaholics and even sleep at the firm on
occassion.
In terms of gender, women here are not feminine. They are like callous
drill sergeants. I wouldn't trade my eggs to be like them or to get
their paychecks. Two associates whom they loved left because she
couldn't get pregnant due to the stress levels. If you are a female
and are all about achieving the title and obtaining a golden nest egg,
this maybe okay for you.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT
KS is pretty much following the suit of other firms. There are no
promises for partnership, even if you plan to die here. Just work
until you can't work anymore. Usually, they will tell you that you are
not a fit. If they are merciful, they will let you know of
opportunities elsewhere.
DRESS CODE
In the litigation group, stick with business. With the placement of a
new managing partner for this group, the dress is formal. He never
approved of the move towards business casual and has made this known.
Overall, the firm allows business casual. Yes, there are several Ally
McBeal's wondering about.
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