While persuing the Conspiracy of Volokhs, I was directed to this ranking of law firm prestige. (Favorite entry: #4 Skadden: “uppers’ — “Great training opportunities and informal mentoring . . . .”; “downers” — “screamers.” Pretty accurate description, from what I know.)
This is all mostly meaningless stuff, of course. Still, entry #25, Clifford Chance, caused me to recall the infamous, leaked 2002 Clifford Chance Associate memo that circulated a few years back. The memo is notable for it’s searing indictment of the Clifford Chance partnership. A taste, for those who haven’t seen it before:
The associates believe the firm’s abysmal, last place ranking in the October 2002 American Lawyer “Associates Survey” (the “Am Law Survey”) revealed a profound problem at Clifford Chance. . . . our research has convinced us that the Am Law Survey captured neither the breadth nor the depth of associate anger and frustration. . . . .
“Being yelled at and told ‘we own you’ was . . . a winning moment.” . . . “Another associate was invited to a partner’s party, then asked by that same partner what he was doing there.” . . . . “Many associates described the firm as having a terrible atmosphere in which to work – full of unhappy, hostile people, from the support staff to the partners.”
And you thought your office was bad. (Note: By all reports, Clifford Chance has worked hard to improve its firm culture since this memorandum was leaked.)
For a minute, I thought your first sentence read, ” . . . law film rankings,” and I was going to nominate The Verdict and Anatomy of a Murder. Oh, and Inherit the Wind.
Hmm. My former firm falls three spots between my last year there and this year. I know they say correaltions do not show cause and effect, but hey that’s what the tobacco industry said about smoking and lung cancer.
While persuing…
The memo is notable for it’s searing indictment…
Your deific status may have to come under question, von… 😉
My former firm falls three spots between my last year there and this year.
Your former firm, if I recognize you correctly, is losing midlevel associates left and right — including some very, very good midlevel associates, such as yourself. (Howsya doin’, your B-day scotch is coming.)
Your deific status may have to come under question, von… 😉
Shhhh. . . . . . .
Yep, they’re losing mid-levels fast. Thanks for the birthday greetings. Don’t know why there’s any question re my deific status–according to the grammar folks, I’m still in good standing.
Don’t know why there’s any question re my deific status–according to the grammar folks, I’m still in good standing.
No, Anarch is (correctly) questioning my deific status . . . .