legal assistant

litigation paralegal

receptionist/administrative assistant

specialist

office coordinator

Dickinson Wright PLLC

My typical day would start by checking in with the receptionist the minute I walked into the door to see if anyone called in sick or, for what ever reason, could not make it to work for that day, if so then I would assume their responsibilities for that day(s).  Regardless of how many individuals called in, I covered all of their desks while they were not in the office, assuming their daily responsibilities and requests from their attorneys.  When a secretary was on vacation, needed to come in late or leave early, I again would sit at her desk and assume her responsibilities.  I was also the backup secretary to everyone when their workflow required assistance.  I also had to take care of the general everyday responsibilities that were assigned to my desk/position .  The secretarial staff was very cooperative and as each project came in they would let me know of its importance so that I could arrange my projects accordingly.  Recently our company had a snow-day, to which I was the only secretary that made it into work that day.  On that day I assisted all 12 attorneys with their various projects.  They were all extremely respectful of the number of desks I was covering for that day, and therefore kept their tasks to only what critically needed to be handled that day, so that I could effectively help everyone until their secretaries arrived the next morning.

I would normally never write a review like this, however, this needs to be known.   The job itself was fine and pay was good.  The spoiled, arrogant, and completely inappropriate behavior of the attorneys I was unfortunately assigned to support made the job far less than desirable at times.  Funny how horrible, disrespectful, unprofessional behavior towards others is not only “acceptable” just because they are attorneys, but essentially condoned and rewarded by HR turning a blind eye and allowing them to act so awfully in the work place, with essentially an “oh, well, that’s just the way it is” attitude.   In a discussion with HR, I was given more examples of similar situations existing in other D&W offices - and how those support assistants “handled” their attorneys who conducted themselves similarly to what I experienced.  So, essentially, the firm seemed to allow such behavior by their attorneys on a daily basis, and was ok with that.   Had a support staff person conducted themselves in like manner, they would have been fired immediately.   In a word, “shameful”.   I wonder if their clients knew how they behaved “behind closed doors” and that the firm was “ok” with it, if they would still want to do business with them?
     Integrity, honesty, and respect sorely lacking in this firm.

First let me start by saying this salary posted for the job doesn’t match the crummy work you will have to do (meaningless personal life work for attorney in my experience). This job was appealing to me because it was in DC and offered good pay for the position title. I wanted legal experience and during my interview the office manager and attorneys said I would get experience doing legal work. I soon realized I was doing more personal work than legal work for attorney. Most of the time I did not have much to do, very boring as I like to stay busy. The culture  within the employees were horrible. All of the supporting staff were women; most who tried to bring down new hires with their comments and unprofessionalism. The office manager was aware of the bullies but did nothing to help. Some of the attorneys were pretty decent people, but the staff was majority horrible. I knew my first few weeks this wasn’t a place to work If you want to be more than just a secretary one day. The benefits were horrible!!! Stay clear! They have a bad work life balance. Taking days off seems to be such a big issue and frowned upon even though you earned that time off.

The office administrator is one of the rudest, most unfriendly persons I have ever met.  She is completely unapproachable and you have to work very, very hard to get her to smile or be pleasant with you.  I have no earthly clue why she is an office administrator.  Either fix your attitude or go be a Grinch at home.  

I met a handful of cool people during my time here, but I found most of the people to be two-faced, immature, condescending, self-entitled and downright snobby.  The firm culture was stuffy and awkward and you had to guess or ask someone how to do everything.  

The place I work now beats DW by a million.  Or more!  The firm culture is warm, open, fun, friendly all while still being professional.  They really care about your comfort and happiness and are always open to hearing suggestions.  There is a lot of room to advance and encourage you to do so.  I've never been such an integral part of a company before.  Dickinson Wright could learn a few things!

Very high turnover amongst staff and attorneys. Their goal is to grow as big as possible yet they don’t take care of the people they have. Management is clueless and they treat their employees like children. Often taking attendance and harassing employees who work from home. Human Resources is non existent except once a year for a mandatory meeting. Culture is appalling. Different offices have different rules. Zero work-life balance. Everything is blamed on payroll. Staff is treated as beneath attorneys. The Firm spends millions for their “firm dinner” for attorneys and they order in deli sandwiches for the support staff which the attorneys are also invited to. Admin professional day you get some firm swag or a $5.00 e-gift card. Save yourself the headache and find a different firm to work for. This one is an absolute joke! 

The branches of the firm are their own little fiefdoms and it's even moreso with how different attorneys operate. The salary and benefits are below market value, assuming you're good at what you do. Bonuses are stingy and raises are more like cost-of-living adjustments, so the incentives to do more than you have to do are not there. The firm has a high rate of turnover, although they try to keep that quiet. 

It ends up that the attorneys, paralegals and legal secretaries who are most competent get saddled with even more work, to no benefit of their own. HR and management are inflexible and the DEI committee is for show only. 

Management gives no direction. No flexiblity in accounting. Employees in other departments are treated differently (ie. allowed a flexible schedule). Pay increases have been terrible. When you quit they will not offer you a raise to stay they just hire someone else making 25%-50% more than you. Management expects a lot out of their employees but there is no reward for performing at high levels. Even if you show management how you have contributed positively to their bottom line they will not give you a raise or any kind of incentive. They do not listen or care to their employees complaints. If you interview here for accounting....RUN!!!

The attorneys were very nice, as was the paralegal I worked with.  My main complaints are the horrendous management, the unbelievable level of micromanaging and the negative environment/culture (people are constantly whispering about their fellow co-workers behind their backs).  
I was ill one day so worked from home.  I was literally told to email all the attorneys every time I laid down for a nap and when I got up.   
What's sad is, I don't think some of the employees realize it isn't that way at all law firms, that coming to work can be a happy and enjoyable experience.  To each their own, that may be enough for some, just not my cup of tea.  

The Attorneys and Human Resources get away with everything toxic and negative. The support staff are constantly demeaned, harassed and looked down on by attorneys and HR. Several attorneys get away free with screaming at their support in front of everyone. If you even try to defend yourself, you will be threatened with or even terminated immediately. Pay, benefits and environment are terrible and it’s an unfortunate place to work in. So as the headline reads, if you wa t to be treated like garbage day in and day out, come here!

No development, no growth. very stagnant work that will crush your very soul every time you step into the office. If you are not an attorney then you don't matter. Good office life treatment you will receive will be sparse if any.
Raises are non-existent. They will pile on more and more tasks with a high-five or a pizza party just to keep the peace. 

Flipside, Office life is great as your co-workers are like family. everybody is easy to talk to and you will make excellent friends.  

 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Legal assistant 11 salaries reported	$77,227 per year
Litigation paralegal 4 salaries reported	$84,750 per year
Receptionist/administrative assistant 2 salaries reported	$22.50 per hour
Specialist 3 salaries reported	$37.00 per hour
Office coordinator 4 salaries reported	$21.21 per hour

Working at Dickinson Wright PLLC: Company Overview and Reviews

Dickinson Wright PLLC

Dickinson Wright PLLC Ratings

Popular jobs at Dickinson Wright PLLC

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected