 Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Interview Surveys
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Workplace Surveys
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Salary Surveys
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Business Outlook Surveys
Job Title: Associate
Location: Los Angeles
Submitted on: 09-Jan-04
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Workplace
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Squire, Sanders & Dempsey ("SSD") took over the failing law firm of
Graham & James back in 2000. Since that time, the entire firm seems to
be trying to find itself and create a solid identity. This process
resulted in a series of growing pains, which have included the bizarre
weeding-out of some very good junior associates who weren't "partner
material." Such decisions (most odd at a junior associate level) are
typical of many bizarre goings on at the firm. Additionally, the firm
has lost many key partners since 1999, leaving somewhat of a mixed group
of productive and unproductive partners, which is clearly not the best
way to run a law firm.
There is no question the firm has potential, but current everyday life
is harsh for the average asssociate. Benefits have been sliced thin;
billable hours are stressed ad nausea; partners and senior associates
expect far too much out of first through third year associates (in part
because the firm has either fired or chased away almost all fourth
through sixth year asssociates, thus resulting in overinflated
expectations of the poor first through third years); and each year the
firm seems to routinely dispose of junior associates who, if given the
proper training and support, would have been outstanding assets to the
firm. This practice hurts morale, especially in smaller offices where 2
or 3 seemingly random annual firings represent around 10% of the entire
associate population. If Squire would get rid of its various deadwood
partners and spend more time and patience with its junior associates,
the firm would be a much better place to work.
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