Culture Issues and Big Law Professional Anonymous Networks - Nothing New, Including about Paul Weiss

 Three days ago on Reddit Big Law was the usual. That was the posting of the question about the culture of an Am Law 50. Actually the firm was way up there in the pecking order of the 50. It was Paul Weiss. Over the past 72 hours, 78 comments have come in. None provides anything new.

One comment sums up what we already all know:

"Current PW. As in all things, depends on what practice group you're in and which partners you work for."

,A major reality not only at Paul Weiss but throughout much of Big Law is that there is no "culture" per se. The ethos, policies and operations are shaped by each practice and within that practice by those with the power. In a sense the large elite law firm is an umbrella structure housing a broad range of practices.

Another reality is that earning the big bucks and holding onto to that lucrative job mandate meeting and exceeding quotas for billable hours. 

A third is that you have to be cut out to handle the whatevers being thrown at you (often unfairly) and have the physical ability to endure long hours.

A fourth reality is that the environment is highly political. That makes work a defensive strategy. What puts you on the offense is understanding the unique politics of the practices in which you orbit.

When I coach those in or out of Big Law there is no other stance to take but the pragmatic. That is, this is the way it is (or was for you). Take it or leave it or don't enter that complex web to begin with. There are myriad other sand boxes to play in as a JD. 

The ranting on professional anonymous networks about Big Law culture and lack of WLB sounds so child-like  - or how we boomers went on and on about the establishment during the counterculture. 

Sooner than later if this kind of chatter doesn't let up the networks could lose their participants. 

The brutal recession of the mid 1970s blew up our counterculture of complaint. We avoided anyone who still talked anti-establishment as a "loser." Suit up and grow up.

Typically in the kinds of postings such as this one about Paul Weiss there is a reference to the current tough job market for juniors. Some add: Paul Weiss is hring and has not laid off. 

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