legal assistant

legal clerk

litigation paralegal

associate

receptionist

Snell & Wilmer

Just avoid this firm, especially if you are young and have options. The management here is downright awful and abusive with no clue as to how to properly lead the staff and inspire quality work product. Rather than constructive feedback, staffers were needlessly antagonized and insulted. During my time here one loyal employee was driven to tears. 

People who wanted to advance were usually pigeonholed and given few opportunities to grow, even after taking on responsibilities of those in higher positions. They will tell you anything to keep you in the same role and get you to push out the work, even if it means resorting to patronizing cheap talk such as reiterating how lucky you are to have free parking provided by the firm and other insults to your intelligence.

Don't get me started on the culture. The majority of staffers are bored, boring, family oriented, 40+ years of age, and overbearing people who thrive on gossip and pressuring others to conform and join the herd. If you are a focused, introverted employee, especially a female, that will be somehow held against you.

Then there is the hypocrisy. What is communicated is not necessarily the whole truth. Management will say the firm is doing well, but refuse to reveal earnings. They will claim to be reducing overheard to remain competitive, but have the means to police social media to control the firm's image, pay for free lunches every Thursday for the attorneys, and tons of needless catering. They claim to value diversity, but the dominating minority at this firm of 100+ people was hispanic. If an announcement is made, ask yourself if it is the truth, or fake news meant to placate the masses (it's probably the second).

If you a young hopeful who wants to make a difference in the world, use your intelligence and talents, and are hired HERE, get ready to have an awful time that will usually vacillate  somewhere between horrendous and forgettable. Don't work for S&W, this is where dreams go to die.

I knew after my 2nd day, that I wouldn't stay long. 
Here is a list of things I experienced in the WEEK I was employed there.
1. My team was not welcoming, friendly, nor helpful whatsoever.
2. The only person willing to train me was a woman that had only been working there for 3 weeks herself.
3. During my first day of training I stated that it wouldn't take me a long time to learn the check processing. Someone complained to our supervisor about me stating that. 
4. During a meeting I voiced my concerns about the lack of training I was receiving.
5. My supervisor called another meeting with myself and HR. He entered the meeting with a horrible attitude, a chip on his shoulder, and his mind made up. He told me that "threw people under the bus when I voiced my concerns regarding the training I was NOT getting". He then stated that I, "Belittled and degrading people's work by stating that I learned quickly and it wouldn't take long to train me". I told him, "If me requesting more efficient training was throwing people under the bus, and if me stating I am a fast learner is belittling and degrading other people's work, then this job is not a good fit for me." I handed them my badge and left.
4. To summarize what happened; I was expected to dumb myself down to spare other people's feelings, my team was petty, unfriendly, and unwilling to train me. My manager is an egocentric maniac, and should not be employed as a manager in any way shape nor form.
I would NOT recommend working here. KEEP LOOKING.

Worked as a legal support clerk (LSC) at Snell & Wilmer for under a year. While I appreciated the generous benefits and enjoyed connecting with new colleagues, my experience was ultimately marred by broken promises and poor management. 

Despite being guaranteed a promotion after 90 days of additional work and training on top of my normal workload, this was dismissed when I brought it up. I felt gaslit by management, which was disappointing and frustrating.

The workload was heavy and unrealistic, which management acknowledged. It became clear that management prioritized avoiding conflict with certain attorneys over supporting their staff. This created a challenging and unstable work environment.

I hope that in the future, the company will prioritize its employees' well-being and career development. However, based on my experience, I would caution others to carefully consider their decision to work here. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Consummate professionals, highly qualified employees, perks are great.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Unavailability of partners for direction, feedback.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Highly professional, long hours.  Culture is very collegial, and perks such as meals, nice offices, great support staff, provides opportunities to interact.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Emails, prioritization of tasks, work on priorities, manage client expectations re delivery of work product, collaborate with others as needed.

There are departments within this firm that exist firmly in the pre-civil rights era, as evidenced by the ridiculous turnover of non-white employees.  Within these same departments, a culture of mean-girl behavior and tyrannical micromanagement flourishes.  HR folks work within the reality that federal laws against discrimination are only as effective as the victims' willingness to risk their jobs to complain; and they operate accordingly.

There are departments within the firm that provide a cooperative and respectful atmosphere, but unfortunately, you don't know which one you're in until it's too late.

I only managed to work here for a very short time before I had to run from this place. The culture at S&W is awful. Attorneys basically ignore assistants and there is a paralegal there that is an absolute nightmare. She was the main deciding factor in my leaving. The office manager is a joke. She has her little favorites and if you’re not one, you’ll never go anywhere there. I felt like I was walking on eggshells every single day  and when it got to the point that I was having anxiety attacks on the way to work, I knew it was time to go. STAY AWAY!

I worked here for a period of time not too long ago. The manager for the legal support staff was incompetent and would shun anyone she didn’t care for. It was very off putting. One of the paralegals was amazing, the other was a raging bipolar nightmare who would make anyone’s office life miserable if they did anything wrong or upset her in any way. There were legal assistants that would completely break down over the way she treated them. It was a very toxic environment and I am glad I didn’t get sucked into it. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The pay and christmas bonuses were nice. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The parking garage, taking the elevator, dealing with management and hr

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I did not enjoy it. I felt segregated from my team at all times. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I didn’t enjoy most days. Typically, in the office with no attorneys in the office.

everyone is generally stressed, and the associates really don't decorate their offices because of the revolving door. Most people leave because of lack of work! the firm charges too much! and will hound you if you don't make your hours. They have lots of ways of monitoring you, and you can be sure if your billing drops you are out with no notice. I would not work here, there is an old guard who runs the show

You get what you give.  Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s not the right fit.  You know it, the company knows it.  And you part ways.  Other times it’s magic and fits like a glove.  That’s when you’ve found a gem.  S&W tries to help people succeed and gives ample opportunity for success.  Lots of support once you’re in the door.  The whole firm is treated like family, and personal time and a life outside the office is not only valued but encouraged. Many staff have been there 20+ years which says a lot.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Legal assistant 13 salaries reported	$40.35 per hour
Legal clerk 6 salaries reported	$23.92 per hour
Litigation paralegal 3 salaries reported	$98,333 per year
Associate 3 salaries reported	$206,000 per year
Receptionist 1 salary reported	$26.25 per hour

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