The firm's fiscal year is December 1 - November 30. Take your email's complaints with a grain of salt.

Although apparently he's a lateral and hasn't been here very long (and probably won't be, with that attitude).

I'M RICH!

There's a typo in this post too...

A typo in a blog post? Heaven forfend.

What a whiny bitch. Good riddance.

And your correspondent's email has a typo...what's up with people not giving their work a once-over?

I have to disagree with much of what's in that post. First, if you are at QE and are not billing at a 2100 rate, you're slacking. There is a huge amount of work, and you should take some of the burden off the associates billing 2400+. Second, if you're being paid 300K a year, it is not too much to ask for you to buy your own bulletin board. Third, at QE, as at many other firms, you need to show both ability and initiative to get good work. There are plenty of junior associates who have had very high levels of responsibility on cases. Fourth, the bitching is likely confined to NY - people in the California offices likely made more than most of their counterparts at other firms. QE is not perfect - no place is - but let's be balanced here.

I don't care how much I make, if my firm expected me to buy my own office supplies, I would consider that to be Mickey Fucking Mouse-type antics.

Also, it's notable that the bonuses at every other firm anywhere near QE in profitability doesn't play these bullshit bonus games. I agree with those who have said that QE sucks and that you would be stupid to go there or stay there, given the way that they treat you there.

I guess the issue is whether to choose QE over other New York top litigation shops. With a bonus tied to hours, with sub-par vacation policies, and with weird office supply issues, it seems pretty tough to choose them. And as far as I can tell, QE is trying to recruit the cream of the crop, the people who are considering S&C, DPW, STB, PW, etc. Even the second tier firms seem to pay out the market bonus at 2000 hours, so woe to to the QE associate billing in the 2000-2099 range!

yikes. thanks for the info. qe just sent around invitations to law clerks for a law clerk dinner recruiting event. i'm glad i have this info. quibbling over buying your own bulletin boards and drawers and a couple months' worth of bonus? at 2100 hours, i can definitely do without--qe is OFF the list.

Jesus Christ, it's like all Quinn, all the time around here.

I don't understand why QE is so short-sighted about recruiting and retention. It they really have as much work as they say and want TT people, what makes them think any TT grad or clerk would choose their NY office over DPW or Cravath now?

Are any QE partners hot? Or all fugly like WLRK?

If you're comparing QE to the top NY firms, do not forget that QE (1) has a much shorter partner track (6 years), (2) takes more cases to trial than any big NY firm, (3) has a unique culture with very little hierarchy, and (4) great opportunities for associates to do interesting work early in their careers. And if you think that you'll be billing less than 2100 at STB, you're kidding yourself.

Here's a question: Does anyone here actually like being at a law firm? Are you happy? Are you fulfilled? (OK, that was three questions.)

12:38 = QE recruiting committee

Doesn't QE have enough money to pay all the associates in good standing market or above? Why the "shaving" and timing issues? To bilk associates? Looks like Walmart. Not good.

12:45 asks: "Why the 'shaving' and timing issues? To bilk associates? Looks like Walmart. Not good."

Answer: Why should the firm pay those lazy scumbags as much as me? I billed several hundred hours more than any of them, and made more money for the firm. There's more work than there are people to do it at this place; you actually have to TRY to come in under 2100. They deserve to be paid less for not pulling their fair share of the weight.

12:49: Are you happy with your life?

The people who are whining are the unwanted class. They exist at every law first tier firm 1. Anyone who somehow relied on their unreasonable expectation of getting a full bonus at 2000 hours, simple F'd the rest of us.

The people who are whining are the unwanted class. They exist at every law first tier firm 1. Anyone who somehow relied on their unreasonable expectation of getting a full bonus at 2000 hours, simple F'd the rest of us.

I left a firm where in 4 years I'd had 2 depositions and one trial. In my 2 years at QEUOH I have had over 50 depositions, two trials, and argued hearings.

This is a place where you don't get things (work, money) based on how many years you have been out of law school. Rather, you get rewarded for ability and contribution. If you don't believe you can dominate your peers and you don't want to work hard, stay where you are -- we don't want you and you won't like it here.

Cheap. At $3M PPP QE shouldn't be playing these games with their associates.

"Work hard" at QE meaning sacrifice every shred of life energy until the firm makes you a partner, or more likely, kicks your overweight, divorced/nevermarried rearend to the curb for more fresh meat.

QE Associate,

If you're so busy, how do you have enough time to come on ATL and make multiple posts about your firm? You come across more like a recruiting coordinator than a busy attorney.

Dominate your peers? Who thinks like that? Are all QE associates such assholes?

12:29 & 52:

Yes, I am. 2d yr litig. V5 NYC. It's a damn good job and a pretty fun life. Sometimes I live to work, but those are week or two week periods, not my whole life. WTF are you people thinking you should be doing instead?

I wonder if NY shops will follow QE's lead in shortening vdays and tightening the office supplies budget. Then maybe they can increase the PPP? Let's face it, PPP is the bottom line and associate happiness is proven to have no correlation with PPP. If you want to be happy, go to a regional firm, not listed on Vault or AM100.

I don't know that either Sullivan or Estrich deserves to be called a "litigatrix." Being a well-known academic, dean (i.e., pimp for the endowment), or fox news commentator hardly makes one a litigatrix. Hell, Sullivan only just passed the bar (on her second try). Has either of them ever actually litigated before? These kinds of hires may bring connections, but to my mind they make the firm less professional and credible.

Conference call hell.

1:24 - You need to do some more research before you talk smack.

It is really funny that Lat begins his post by suggesting that the fact that Quinn's partners are getting way richer than partners at most other law firms ought to somehow *soften* the blow that Quinn associates are being dicked around on bonuses. The whole "it's because they've got partnership to look forward to" thing is especially hilarious. Quinn used to give associates better than average partnership chances and a six-year track, but those days are long-gone. If you're not billing at least 2700 every year, politically favored by the right patron, and in the right practice group in the right year, you are not making partner at Quinn.

"associate happiness is proven to have no correlation with PPP."

Wrong. They are inversely proportional. Higher PPP means lower hourly wages (and more hours) for associates. If you go anywhere in the AmLaw top 20, you are an idiotic prestige whore and you will be punished with unhappiness.

When did this blog turn into xoxohth?

1:31 - you missed the sarcasm, eh?

the only ones bitching are those that are silly enough to believe that you can make it at a top-balls firm billing 2100. LAW SCHOOL IS OVER ladies. I agree with 12:49-- you actually have to work REALLY HARD to not hit 2100 here.

Stop bitching, get off your asses, start working, and then you won't have to worry about making 2100.

Seriously, you guys are too fresh out of law school and imbued with self-righteous entitlement to realize that this is life, start living it and stop bitching. oh, boo-hoo, I just made $190 instead of $205. Seriously.

Oh, and the office supplies? THERES A FUCKING ORDER FORM IN THE COPY ROOM. You can order whatever you want within reason. Many of us have ordered bulletin boards, desk laps, wall clocks... what the hell else do you need?

Maybe if you would stop crying long enough to look around, you'd find it.

1:31: the lateral is not a he...

The tone of 2:03 makes me think quinn is a horrible place to work. There are places where you can make partner billing 2000 a year doing excellent work, just depends on your practice area. Maybe practice area dependent, but I know many IP counseling types (not litigators) that made it at V20 firms billing not much more than 2000, as long as you're recognized as doing great work. Also have seen quite a few litigators that billed 3000+ every year and got the boot after 8 years.

12:10 -- which court are you in?

Dear New Associates:

It should be easy to bill 2100 hours as you sit in the basement for 60 hours a week staring at documents all day...ehhh we mean doing "substantive" work early in your career. Hell, that is like 3,000 hours right there. Plus, its fun!

John Quinn

people are very good at rationalizing their decisions.

instead of complaining about below market vacation (tied with K&E for 3-weeks but K&E gets the best bonuses), they defend their firm to justify their employment decision.

From the article -- Quinn said, "Any suggestion that the firm has done really, really well and the associates haven't shared is false."

Really?

Bonuses are essentially market if you billed over 2100. For those who billed over 2000 but under 2100, bonuses are in fact below market and have not increased at all from the year before.

However, Per Partner Profits are way above average and have increased significantly.

Yes, it does sound like the associates are sharing in the firm's profits.

"If you don't believe you can dominate your peers and you don't want to work hard, stay where you are -- we don't want you and you won't like it here."

That's classic. It should read "If you don't believe you can stand to work with people who use the phrase 'dominate your peers' then stay where you are and avoid QE like the Plague."

From the article -- Quinn said, "Any suggestion that the firm has done really, really well and the associates haven't shared is false."

Really?

Bonuses are essentially market if you billed over 2100. For those who billed over 2000 but under 2100, the bonuses are in fact below market and have not increased at all from the year before.

However, Per Partner Profits are way above average and have increased significantly.

Yes, it does sound like the associates are sharing in the firm's profits.

fyi 2:36 - john quinn does not use capital letters in firm memoranda.

stop blooging. start billing. then you'll be over 2100.

2100 is not an unrealistic goal. we're not talking about 2300, or 2500 (although a lot of people here are billing that amount). taking out weekends, three weeks of vacation and holidays, you would still only have to bill 8.5 hours a day to hit 2100.

oh, wait. let's subtract out all the time wasted bloggin. now I understand why four or five people in the NY office didn't hit 2100.

stop blooging. start billing. then you'll be over 2100.

2100 is not an unrealistic goal. we're not talking about 2300, or 2500 (although a lot of people here are billing that amount). taking out weekends, three weeks of vacation and holidays, you would still only have to bill 8.5 hours a day to hit 2100.

oh, wait. let's subtract out all the time wasted bloggin. now I understand why four or five people in the NY office didn't hit 2100.

stop blooging. start billing. then you'll be over 2100.

2100 is not an unrealistic goal. we're not talking about 2300, or 2500 (although a lot of people here are billing that amount). taking out weekends, three weeks of vacation and holidays, you would still only have to bill 8.5 hours a day to hit 2100.

oh, wait. let's subtract out all the time wasted bloggin. now I understand why four or five people in the NY office didn't hit 2100.

stop blooging. start billing. then you'll be over 2100.

2100 is not an unrealistic goal. we're not talking about 2300, or 2500 (although a lot of people here are billing that amount). taking out weekends, three weeks of vacation and holidays, you would still only have to bill 8.5 hours a day to hit 2100.

3:27, blooger. the point is other firms pay their associates full bonuses even if they don't hit 2100. shouldn't the ever-profitable quin do the same?

Agreed, 3:00 p.m. Current bonuses received for people billing under 2100 hours at Quinn (includes only the half of the special bonus they received in November):

Class of 2006: $17,500 + $7,500 = $25,000
Class of 2005: $20,000 + $10,000 = $30,000
Class of 2004: $22,500 + $12,500 = $35,000
Class of 2003: $25,000 + $17,500 = $42,500
Class of 2002: $27,500 + $22,500 = $50,000

With the second half of special bonuses (which aren't paid until June and will only be paid if they stay on pace to bill 1900 from December-June):

Class of 2006: $25,000 + $7,500 = $32,500
Class of 2005: $30,000 + $10,000 = $40,000
Class of 2004: $35,000 + $12,500 = $47,500
Class of 2003: $42,500 + $17,500 = $60,000
Class of 2002: $50,000 + $22,500 = $72,500

Now, compare these to standard New York bonuses (based on Covington & Burling, Skadden and Cravath):

Class of 2006: $35,000 + $10,000 = $45,000 [QE's is $12,500 less]
Class of 2005: $40,000 + $15,000 = $55,000 [QE's is $15,000 less]
Class of 2004: $45,000 + $20,000 = $65,000 [QE's is $17,500 less]
Class of 2003: $50,000 + $30,000 = $80,000 [QE's is $20,000 less]
Class of 2002: $55,000 + $40,000 = $95,000 [QE's is $22,500 less]

"If [Quinn associates] are not the most highly paid, they're among the most highly paid in the country," Quinn said. "Any suggestion that the firm has done really, really well and the associates haven't shared is false."

Sounds like a culture where the associates are either whiners or assholes and the partners are looking to screw them over money-wise either way.

3:26 - if you bill 8.5 hours per day, not counting weekends, and work 52 weeks per year, you'd hit 2040. Which, it sounds like, is what the affected QE associates essentially did.

Sounds like a culture where the associates are either whiners or assholes and the partners are looking to screw them over money-wise either way.

In addition to screwing the people who billed 2000-2099 without notice, QE also completely changed their pro bono policy without notice. We have always been told that pro bono counted 1:1 only to find out after bonuses were handed out that they decided to count only 50 hours for those on pace for 1900 and 100 hours for those on pace for 2100. There was no notice of this policy whatsoever. The lack of notice particularly sucks given that Quinn encourages associates to take pro bono cases that will go to trial-- which are hours heavy. Quinn also didn't give anything to laterals who took the bar in February and were on pace for 1900-2000 despite taking off 2 months. Looks like Quinn found a way to screw everybody.

QE is not for everybody!

But the 3M PPP, the constant growth, the insane number of laterals, the ever improving client base are all testament to the fact that it is the place for enough partners and associates.

A law firm is a business, not an exercise in socialism. If you think any tier 1 firm is any different, you're not smart enough to get a job here. On the other hand, if you realize you'd rather work at DOJ or a regional firm, good for you. Me too!

why didn't I get screwed? wait, that must be jbq screwing me.

3:35 conveniently forgets that people who get the full bonus, are getting $5K more than any NY firm. And, even with a half-bonus, the California associates are making more than at just about any firm in the state. No spin - just the facts.

I find this whole QE bonus "blowback" to be a very common theme among the fake "players" in the AmLaw 100. The posers play games when it comes to the associates money. When it is about their PPP, then they are singing a different tune. I can't wait for the real players to break away from these other firms who claim that they can compete in the money arena. Sounds like QE doesn't have their money right, so they need to give the associates the shaft. If they do have their money right, then they are being cheap assholes then. Anyone who is a player has already taken care of their people.

The "Who's Who" has already paid associates both market and special bonuses . It's pathetic when these firms come up with reasons not to pay their people. "Oh, it's performance based." Give me a break. You weren't saying that while you were billing the client all year long for my work. It's all about who's ring you kiss. Conditions is just another way for them to dick you.

Prestige whores or not, firms should cover supplies. It's overhead from them. They need to stop being so cheap. It's not the associates fault that the partners have two mortgages, an ex-wife/current wife, and 3 kids. They have to open the purse strings a bit and take care of business. Talk about greed. Real firms give the associates stipends for shit like that, and you get reimbursed the same week, none of this 3 months shit.

Talk about botching it! Both the PPP and the bonusses should have been good news stories for the firm. To save a few pennies they instead succeeded in making the partners appear to be overly avaricious jerks. Very poor judgment! Really QE, if you want to be TT, start acting that way, stop being cheap, give the NY associates the real market bonus and fire underperforming lawyers. That way you'll attract the talent you need and you won't give everyone the impression that you're looking to do down the associates who made you all that money by any means possible. Why should your clients trust you when you are so obviously poor at managing perceptions in the market place?

Wow, I didn't have an opinion on QE before today, but after listening to the QE defenders, I'm glad that I don't work around such self-important assholes.

There are always some people who work more than others at any law firm. Usually the bonus structure takes that into account. However, I would feel pretty annoyed if my firm changed the bonus rules at the end of the year. I would not expect to buy office supplies for my office, no matter how much money I get paid. I don't have any sympathy for the complaining lateral on the vacation point, though. I don't know very many associates at any firm, V5-V10 or otherwise, who come anywhere close to using all of their vacation days.

When a firm holds you hostage with your bonuses, you know that you need to make the jump. The fact that you have to wait 3-6 months to get the rest of your money is bootleg. Just give me my money. They do this because they know people will have to stay in order to get their money. This is another low handed move by the fake "players" in the AmLaw 100. I bet they don't have to wait to swim in their PPP.

3:52.

Half bonuses are not more than bonuses paid out by other CA firms. Irell, Kirkland. Also, Quinn's quote says QE associates are among the most highly paid in the country--not in California.

Half bonuses are also not more than they were at Quinn last year despite an increase in the partners' profit.

Half bonuses have not been paid out in full so you can shave another 10-20k off those numbers, at least for the next 6 months.

guys, the post on us having to pay for supplies is bullshit. The procedure is a little different than other firms-- you go down to the copy room, and place an order from a staples catalog. There were several people that ordered some questionable items-- a 5'x3' world map is one example, and the order got dinged. Really, this is insane. Quinn does not make you pay for office supplies.

i interviewed with QE last year, and it seriously took three months to get reimbursed... and when they did, there was an error and i had to send the check back (took another month to get a replacement).

thank god i did not accept their offer.

the problem is not having to bill 2100 hrs, the problem is not knowing what the goal until the game is over. John Quinn said that 2000 hrs was the threshold for full bonuses in 2006, then changed it to 2100 without any notice.

Further, it's not like they docked people below 2100 a little bit. They got HALF - period, end of story. An 8th year (who gets way below market anyway at Quinn) billing 2099 hours got a smaller bonus than a 1st year billing 2100.

working towards a "goal" to hit the minimum number of hours is a regional mentatlity. Especially when your friends and co-workers are busting their collective asses, billing 2200 and more. I would hope the lazy sacks billing "just enough" to get the bonus would pull a few more hours out of sheer embarrassment.

dear 4.49: so partners should pay those associates more instead of hoarding the profits for themselves. that's the "sheer embarrassment".

--lazy associate (who billed over 2000)

2100+ hours is so 2002.

5:18: great. You billed out 2000 hours. You're primed and ready for a nice cushy DOJ job.

I don't get it. even at half, they still got over $100k, right?

The accounting department really is incompetent at Quinn. It does take months to get reimbursements, probably because they do question expenses at a level of granularity that ends up looking ridiculous.

An increase to $3M PPP looks like a flat out redistribution from associates (and staff) to the partners. Their right. But poor long-term judgment.

I just have to speak up for the "lazy" among us.

I understand the rage that might accompany giving up enough of your life to bill 2500 only to learn that you only had to bill 2000 to get the full bonus. BUT...

I started late in '06. '07 had its ups and downs of meeting people and getting hooked in with regular work. I had one month where I billed basically nothing and was going door to door begging for work, only to be told that it was a slow month and many good associates had been "freed up." Even so, I billed just under 2050 last year, with another 35 hours in pro bono and 40 on pitch work and business development. Nonetheless, I got 1/2 of the bonus. I know several other associates who missed the mark by less than 20 hours and also got 1/2 of their bonus.

We do still make a TON of money, but getting 1/2 with no notice was a slap in the face. Particularly as the slap came during a month when I billed 220 hours and worked straight from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4.

I understand that last year, you got docked if you didn't make the cut-off (2000), but it was a gradual reduction. That's reasonable. A 50% cut across the board is just mean.

Because it can offer associates the prospect of making $3M/year as partners, Quinn should probably be paying its associates less.

220?
I'd love to see a month of only billing 220.

7:24 : I saw you here over the new year holiday. You were surfing porn the entire time.

"top-balls firm." that's awesome.

The biggest fib in the "lateral's" post: she really wasn't that highly regarded in that "top" Ny firm.

i find this whole thread absurd. there are good reasons not to work at quinn--but pay and hours are not among them. (there are, by the way, many good reasons to work at quinn.)

As someone who has handed his notice to QE (and therefore has no skin in this game), I actually say the criticism is undeserved. The firm is cheap on the little things, no doubt about it. It is irritating. But they do pay NY salaries and bonuses in the CA market. The extra $15,000 in first year salary will easily compensate for the irritation on the little things.

If you think that you'll survive long-term on less than 2100 hours at a major NY firm, you're kidding yourself. They'll pay you the full bonus, and show you the door.

One thing that hasn't yet been mentioned is that all eight associates who were up for partner in 2006 made it. THat's a pretty high number for a firm of Quinn's size, and the percentage speaks for itself.

3:46 -- I think you meant that 2007 was the year where associates went 8/8. Some of those 8 had been up in 2006 and got deferred.

Regardless of where you come out on this whole thing (pro Quinn or anti Quinn), I have to wonder who would accept an offer from this firm. No issues here - they don't have an office in DC, where I'll be this summer, so I too have no "skin in this game." The environment has to be T-O-X-I-C tho. Associates walking around thinking they and their coworkers have been screwed by the very people they work for. Partners talking about their $3 mils out one side of their mouths and their whiny associates out the other side. Further, the pro Quinn people on this site scare the hells out of me.

The only good that comes from this is that we can all make informed decisions re Quinn and CWT. I'll take a non controversial firm thank you very much.

Viva la Internets. Long Live Lat.

Desks with no drawers? Wtf? Are all your pens and pencils sitting in a mug on your desk? Papers neatly stacked in little piles on the floor?

I know for a fact that the latest wave of Quinn lawyers who were made partner are non-equity (that is, salaried), and that a number of the younger partners were actually de-equitized this year. No one should put too much stock in the $3 million PPP figure (if it is even true at all, and there is no way of knowing unless you have access to Quinn's books): those numbers are skewed by a very select few ranimakers at the top. The bulk of Quinn "partners" make far, far less (i.e., $500,000 or less), I can assure you.

the last post is just wrong.

the other thing that is not being recognized in this PPP statistic is not acknowledging the WAY the firm is getting there. i doubt wachtell nickle and dimes all of its employees the way quinn does - i'm not even just talking bonuses. we have shitty office furniture, they don't let you order a comfortable chair, you have to work 3 years for the firm to pay you $1k for a laptop. give me an F-ing break.

this place blows. its not about being whiny, greedy associates. its about being treated with respect. quinn constantly rants about beating the odds and accomplishing what no one thought he could. blah blah blah. partners tell him regularly this system of demoralizing associates isn't working. he doesn't listen because he knows best. he will not be the last man standing with this type of approach.

partnership track 6 years? BULLSHIT. we see the senior associates slave slave slave away only to get deferred many times and screwed by the partners who they work for.

LOOK ELSEWHERE. QUINN SUCKS.

3:46 - aka quinn partner: you fail to mention all the people who were told to take their name out of the ring before the partner vote. there were way more than 8 people shooting for partner this year. they were told ahead of time they had no chance so didn't put themselves up for the vote. 8/8 out of a pre-screened group.

5:50: we just told you that in the hopes you'd quit and save us the trouble of kicking your lazy ass out the door. now shut the fuck up and get back to work. last payment on my lambo is due next week.

2:54: You are disgusting, and embarassing. I hope you don't work with us and I hope I don't work for you. If I do (b/c I do work for cocksuckers that sound like you), it makes sense b/c its people with your attitude that give QE the reputation it has (deserved). You are all so full of yourselves - constantly talking about how great it is to work here. Get your head out of your ass and face the reality of what you are really doing to your co-workers. You are not that awesome and neither is your lambo. Idiot.

this whole blog is so 2007. doubt anyone who works at qe is responsible for any of these posts.

3:35 yawn. shut the fuck up and go get your shinebox. my whiteshoes need a spitshine. hurry, and maybe i'll give you some of my office supplies.

I'm an associate at quinn who got the full bonus. I disagree with the no-notice thing -- it makes for bad pr as well as bad morale. However, to all you bitter quinn associates: I disagree that the firm generally sucks -- it really is a great firm. Partners that I work with are pretty chill and nurturing (maybe I'm lucky, or maybe I have a good attitude). Lots of talented people, and I know that my skills are improving all the time. I probably won't make partner, but I'll have saved up some big bucks and be in a good position to go elswhere, or start my own shop. So I get the whole annoyed at no notice thing (and wish it hadn't happened), but other than this, and some minor annoyances (yes, accounting sucks; yes, they will not give you CERTAIN office supplies that they consider unnecessary (that includes poster boards, which I think is silly)), overall, Quinn really is a great place.

whoa. are you guys saying that i can work really hard and still not make partner? that i need to shoot for 2,100 hours this year? THAT'S IT I QUIT

4:49: don't go anywhere. I'm going to IM you another assignment, but can't rightnow. I'm in my lambo heading to the club. It's a really juicy assignment. I was going to give it to 3:35, but she's doing nothing but doc review from now on.

SKA-DDEN! SKA-DDEN! SKA-DDEN!

12:27: I'm at QE, mid-level/senior associate in LA, and I didn't hear of anyone who was asked/told to pull out of the partnership race. Who do you think was? This has influenced my career decision-making, so I want as much info as possible. Would like to hear from you with your examples of senior associates who were told to withdraw their names -- send them to anonquinnguy at yahoo.

The non-equity partner post is just stupid and wrong. Almost as stupid as the notion that most partners make under $500,000. I doubt there will be many whose 4th quarter disbursement is less than that. Look for the huge smiles on partners' faces on Tuesday.

Their initials, for the LA office, are

P.S. (also dating a name partner currently)

S.R.

A.C.

It will be fairly easy to tell when they announce of counsels in a month or two, after all the new partners have moved to their partner offices.

Love, midlevel L.A. Quinn Associate.

What would a new non-equity partner in NY office earn?

nothing. No such thing as non-e at Quinn.

Hey 6:26-- REALLY bad form posting anyone's initials and spreading rumors about what happened with partnership. It's pretty easy to figure out who you think you're talking about. What if they're looking for a new job? Sure they'd love for some empty-headed blithering associate to spread rumors about them. Use your head, dumb ass. I REALLY hope you billed only 2099.

OK, then, a new equity partner in NY?

6:26: you are a twittering dumb ass with no common sense. I'm in the new york office-- I hope I get to work with you.

6:59: more money than god.

Hey 6:26 -- i know of at least one other senior associate who most definitely should have been up for partner this year but was told to back out of the race. Someone who was killing it on the hours, work product, etc. This is in addition to the three whose initials were provided by 6:48. I'm quite, quite sure there are more.

6:26, is it possie you're that stupid?

MAN ALIVE!

6:26- bad move with the initials. but what kind of gossip (if any) allowed here?

guys, just don't be stupid. Why on EARTH would you be so absurdly stupid to make your co-workers look bad?
You want to gossip like wash women, fine, hike up our skirt and do it. Don't name names in here.

I'll find ouy who 6:26 is on Monday, and post initilas in here.

Fact: There were 2-3 senior level assoc. from the northern CA offices up for partner who were told they weren't going to make it so pulled out before the vote.

6:26: I hope you're happy with yourself. If your name ever becomes public, no one will ever want to work with you again.

You're almost as stupid as the, um, lateral, that, um, posted the above, um, letter and, um, has a certain, um, gramatical, um, tick that, um, she can't seem to, um, stop using.

I hear simpson is looking. They recently lost a "highly regarded" associate. Maybe you can check them out.

To announce a higher-than-previous hours requirement after the fact is just plain acting in bad faith. The fact that the partners made so, so much money this year makes it even more egregious.

I guess the firm is telling the 20xx billers to look for new employment. But for those of you who billed 2100+ and think the 2099 billers deserved to get burnt, cast not the first stone - perhaps next year the new number will be 2300, and if you were at 2250 figuring you were safe, will you argue so strenuously that anyone under 2300 has no right to complain?

10:56: wow. That was a persuasive argument. Get into court much?

This comment sums up the fundamental disconnect exhibited between the two sides of this blog: "I understand the rage that might accompany giving up enough of your life to bill 2500 only to learn that you only had to bill 2000 to get the full bonus."

The rage isn't that we billed more than it took to get the bonus. Only a jackass bills based on their understanding of what it takes to get a bonus.

The RAGE is that we worked very hard because that was what was required to make sure the client got outstanding service, because it was neccessary to support and lead our team, and because it was what it took to win. That's what we do at Quinn, we win.

And now, people who have no sense of professional responsibility are acting like spoiled children and publicly disparaging OUR firm; you assholes are trying to tear down what the rest of us sacrificed to build. That is the RAGE. You made the rest of us pull your weight and now you have the audacity to publicly attack OUR firm because your hundreds of thousands of dollars aren't enough. That is the RAGE!

This whole blog gives the whiners more attention than they deserve. In a week, another group of whiners at another firm will be banging pots and pans on this site. They'll probably be overpaid fungible attorneys complaining about money just like you. Either way, all of you will be forgotten. Not forgiven, but forgotten.

12:13: Amen to that.

12:13 - it's hilarious that partners are RAGED about blogs. It's a free country and this is place where associates can share FACTS. If you don't want the firm that you built to be disparaged, then act like you belong in the top tier.

12:13 - it's hilarious that partners are RAGED about blogs. It's a free country and this is place where associates can share FACTS. If you don't want the firm that you built to be disparaged, then act like you belong in the top tier.

12:13 - it's hilarious that partners are RAGED about blogs. It's a free country and this is place where associates can share FACTS. If you don't want the firm that you built to be disparaged, then act like you belong in the top tier.

Holy crap, QE associates apparently either take themselves way, way too seriously and have drunk the Kool-Aid by the gallon ("That's what we do at Quinn, we win." You can almost feel the strain.), or despise the place and each other. 3:58 calls it - toxic.

11:11: Poster at 12:13 is a partner and his tone so familiar to many of us that we recognize his dramatic flare. In fact, we are quite sure it was the same person who gave the top 3 points about being an associate at Quinn days ago - none of which were true for the majority of associates at this place!

"forgotten, not forgiven" ?! haha: You should have been an actor instead of a lawyer. You guys have gone off the deep end with your sense of who and what you are. You need to gain a sense of perspective on how to treat like, and like alike. Not everyone complaining here missed the bonus,by teh way. We saw what happened to our co-workers and know it could have been any one of us who missed the mark, or spent more time on non-billable/non-credit work.

This haphazard/no notice decision on bonuses has created bad feelings in the offices. Furthermore, Quinn's comments to law.com were not true.

you mishandled this, QE. your bad.

12:13: the associates are not RAGED by the blogs. We're RAGED about the whiny, bitchy associates who "strive" towards 2000, take their holidays and their vacations, while we're hauling ass at 2500+, funding your salary and bonus, and then you have the nerve to complain that you only made a few hundred thousand dollars.

Make up your mind. If you want quality of life, you're not going to get as much money. If you want money, get off your lazy ass and help out. Tell you what-- I'll meet you in the middle-- This way we can both bill out 2200, you get your full bonus, I get to have a life.

Whatever you decide, just shut the fuck up and do it.

Whoa, 11:58. So much rage, so little grammar! I guess that full bonus hasn't made you a happier person. Or perhaps your personality problem arises from working with all those nasty partners who stiffed your colleagues on their bonusses?

Sure sounds like you.

I heard the range was $500K to $16MM, with most in the $2-3MM range. Can anyone confirm?

I'm a Quinn associate and regardless of who is right in the larger debate, I think this whole initial thing is disgusting. Stop doing that please. It is not right. Unless you sign your own name, you should not feel comfortable about gossiping in a public forum about reputable professionals.

11:58 - You're "hauling ass" on this blog? Oh I see, you pad your hours. That's unethical, bro.

1158: Get back to doc review.

This comment sums up the fundamental disconnect exhibited between the two sides of this blog: "I understand the rage that might accompany giving up enough of your life to bill 2500 only to learn that you only had to bill 2000 to get the full bonus."

The rage isn't that we billed more than it took to get the bonus. Only a jackass bills based on their understanding of what it takes to get a bonus.

The RAGE is that we worked very hard because that was what was required to make sure the client got outstanding service, because it was neccessary to support and lead our team, and because it was what it took to win. That's what we do at Quinn, we win.

And now, people who have no sense of professional responsibility are acting like spoiled children and publicly disparaging OUR firm; you assholes are trying to tear down what the rest of us sacrificed to build. That is the RAGE. You made the rest of us pull your weight and now you have the audacity to publicly attack OUR firm because your hundreds of thousands of dollars aren't enough. That is the RAGE!

This whole blog gives the whiners more attention than they deserve. In a week, another group of whiners at another firm will be banging pots and pans on this site. They'll probably be overpaid fungible attorneys complaining about money just like you. Either way, all of you will be forgotten. Not forgiven, but forgotten.

I knew Heidi and I would probably never be friends again, but I was looking forward to a whole new set of experiences, and, yes, probably boy trouble, in Paris.

12:28, where/how did you hear range of $500k-$16mm. $500k sounds low for an (equity) partner.

5:53: 12:28's info is incorrect.

Is the OP's statement regarding no firm credit cards and having to carry travel expenses personally correct? I may be lateralling this year and was thinking Quinn might be on my list. But, I also have traveled quite a bit and often rack up $10,000+ month in travel expenses. If the firm actually expects an associate to carry that debt, I think I would have to rethink submitting there.

You carry travel some expenses personally until you are reimbursed. Airfare is purchased for you through a travel agent.

4:53 - the OP is correct. It USUALLY takes several weeks (I'd say 5-7 weeks on average) to get reimbursed.

I recently left QE's NYO and can appreciate the frustration of many associates, in many cases it's not unjustified. But I also think that the problem stems more from a lack of internal structure and organization than ill will on partner's part (in most cases). Some of the partners do seem a little clueless about how trying the situation is, but they also seem to be overwhelmed.

W/r/t supplies, I bought my own lamp and pens (but I like particular pens), they picked up everything else. A lot of this issue depends on whether or not you have to go through the office manager.

On balance, you have to consider whether you're getting decent work. If so, join the firm and/or stay. If not, investigate alternatives. You're (probably) an adult and you have to be the master of your own career. That sounds a little trite, sure, but in NY you really have to bear it in mind.

There are some truly wonderful associates and partners that I worked with -- I wouldn't take anything for the experience.