summer associate

legal secretary

entry level associate

labor & employment associate

human resources manager

Baker McKenzie

Working for two departments has been a rewarding experience. It has enabled me to become well rounded in many different skills as well as become accustom with many different aspects of the worlds largest law firm. 

Since I had a duel role at Baker, each day would consist of different general responsibilities all while maintaining the flexibility to address each departments specific needs at any given time. With this there hasn't been much room for a typical day, each day has brought its own set of needs and responsibility.  My general duties for accounting would consist of running cost reports, updating spreadsheets, creating cash disbarment requests, getting proper signatures, and answering inquiries regarding payment status from our clients, attorneys, and secretaries. 

My responsibilities in our records department have been to assist overseeing our Account's Payable in take. I have helped establish new filing systems and have played an instrumental role in launching a new electronic records system using KwikTag. Due to my vast knowledge of this new system, I have also assisted different department through out the firm to become accustom. I also help manage our request mailbox in outlook, retrieving back up needed for various departments and clients.

If you are Black, then this is definitely not the place for you. In an office of 100+ attorneys, there are only TWO Black female junior associates. Historical Irony with respect to the fallacy of Black Progress in Post-Racial America - The DC office is located one block away the White House, in which Black slaves built and it is occupied by the first and probably last Black Presidential Family in US History. Present Day/SMDH Irony - The HR Director, Directory of Diversity, and Admin. Support Support Manager are Black...Black employees are routinely disrespected and discriminated with impunity by the plantation class. The subservient Big House Management offers no protection and sadly condones the behavior with the same apathy that would make Steven, from the movie, Django, dance a jig with glee. (Historical Fact - The DC office is located across the street from the infamous former slave auction block in Lafayette Square, which sits in plain view of the front steps of the White House -- funny how time changes but things stay the same.) So, if you have a burning desire to experience what life as Solomon or life as Patsey would have been living on the Epps plantation, then B&M DC is the place for you...

Support all department activities and programs, including general office administration and special projects as necessary. Assist in uploading resumes to authorial. Projects include recruiting and staffing coordination/tracking. Answer phones, make copies, file documents and conduct research for attorneys. Assist in coordinating events for staff. Provide event support for internal and external diversity-related programming. Undertake project tasks or assist with small projects in relation to diversity initiatives and strategies. Provide Human Resource/Diversity support and manage invoice flow and monitor budgets

I worked at the San Francisco office for less than a year. I loved my co-workers but found that HR management created a fearful, suspicious work environment because their HR Department in the San Francisco didn't have any formal HR training/knowledge that is required in order to be compliant in California. 

I personally witnessed at least two different situations where HR made gross errors in judgment - making the firm liable/vulnerable to  employment claims/lawsuits.  

In 19 years of being employed in the legal field, I have never run across an office with such poor HR management in place.  At times I found it to be disturbing.

As a long-term employee of Baker McKenzie, my job position felt very much like part of a team working toward a common goal.  The workplace culture is one that drives employees towards high performance and optional methods are always available to strengthen and improve skill levels.  For this reason, excellence is always expected.  One of the many privileges working with this firm is that it enhances and elevates your qualifications for better professional opportunities to come.  

Law firms are geared towards lifers, and there is much to be said for that approach, but anyone who is considering a technical role with a firm needs to keep in mind that many of their peers will have tenures measured in decades. 

At Baker this presented itself as an organization more interested in getting it right the first time than adopting a minimum viable product  and iterating from there for key systems and structures like cloud adoption. The approach works for the organization and it’s unlikely to change under any circumstances. 

Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of our work. Leveraging our global footprint and extensive resources, we make a lasting difference to many of today’s social and economic challenges.

Through our pro bono work we contribute to peaceful negotiations, protect the persecuted, advise on environmental projects and guide government policy.

Diversity is a cornerstone of our culture. We believe an inclusive workplace gives clients true insight and exceptional service. This isn't only good for business, but the right thing to do.

When I started at Baker & McKenzie in the mid-1990's, it was a great place to work.  The benefits and perks were outstanding.

In the early to mid 2000's, the HR ladies micromanaged a lot of great staff right out the door.  I think they were threatened and wanted to get rid of the secretaries who had a solid position and tenure.  Little by little, all the perks vanished and it was like working at a mill or factory.  Everyone dreaded going to work.

The long hours are what one would expect working in one of the largest law firms in the world. Most associates are willing to accept the long hours given the generous compensation, but exceeding billable hour requirements is expected even when your practice group is going through slow periods, which can be exceptionally frustrating. This frustration can be compounded by cryptic reviews and feedback from partners. 

The work culture is good. The atmosphere is generally collegial and accepting. 

I loved working here and only left because I had to relocate.  It's an international firm, so you will meet people of all kinds of backgrounds.  I got to try out a few different areas of law before settling into my specialty of choice, and I thought that was great .

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Summer associate 14 salaries reported	$4,327 per week
Legal secretary 4 salaries reported	$101,250 per year
Entry level associate 2 salaries reported	$325,000 per year
Labor & employment associate 5 salaries reported	$277,000 per year
Human resources manager 6 salaries reported	$150,833 per year

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