McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Vault’s Verdict: Associates are happy with the firm's respectful work environment and an explicit lack of face-time requirement. But a system of compensation where below market salaries are compensated for with promises of bonus “true-ups” has some associates uneasy. 

Associate Life

Satisfaction

• “Overall I feel like I am lucky to be working at MWE. Although there is some office politics and lots of grumbling, I think overall it is a generally nice place to work. I am getting great experience and working with an impressive client base.”

• “Interesting work and reasonably nice people, but long hours and a heavy load of nonbillable/administrative/promotional work.”

• “I receive a fair amount of interesting substantive work. I also receive some crappy doc review and other menial tasks.”

• “I get a good amount of responsibility and variety of work—in part because I pushed/advocated for myself. The firm does not necessarily hand you responsibility and the work that you want.”