legal assistant

staff attorney

paralegal

finance associate

private equity associate

Venable LLP

Pros-This firm has great locations, great benefits and pay, awesome and talented co-workers (analysts and LAAs). 

Cons- Toxic work culture (particularly from management/partners), terrible mismanagement (management/partners) of programs, ultimately disorganized. 

To elaborate on the cons- the partner leading my project was a bully. This partner would regularly scream or ridicule me and other analysts in front of colleagues and other management in meetings, a lot of micro-management without help or support, management not showing up for one on ones, would often contradict weekly tasks/instructions given to me and other analysts and then behave like it was not their instructions( no accountability for management/partners), would often be ordered to construct a write-up for a new project (large) and would be given 15min-30 min to put together and if there was even one mistake, the managing partner would fly off the handle and again berate that analyst. Overall poor, terrible working environment. 

This firm would greatly benefit from weeding out bad management, especially partners at the firm who think they can get away with all types of bad behavior. Again great benefits and pay, but not worth the terrible mismanagement and toxic work cultures. When middle managers have to attempt to defend a partners bad behavior, you have already lost. 

A typical day includes:
Learning new software and meeting with various SME in different dept so I can develop a training package which consist of Quick Ref. cards, Train-the trainer guides, Exercises and PowerPoint presentation for both WebEx sessions and in class room training.

New Hire training at the beginning of the week 
Scheduling of various training for each of the offices

On a daily basis, I learn the importance of customer services, providing exceptional training, understanding the culture of the users, and ensuring I understand the various roles of the firm.

Hardest part is full communication.
The most enjoyable part of the job is working with the users to understand their role so that I provide proper training. I also enjoy talking to various Office Managers and support staff to see the workflow and understand the skill sets

What is the best part of working at the company?
The diverse mix of being a  Corporate attorney and using my MBA in strategy to maximize profits by practice group type. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
A new CSO who joined and didn’t think our department was necessary for business development.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Very independent with constant challenges that could be unrealistic given our team size and my position as head of global pricing.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Work out at the firm’s gym, showered and dressed at my desk at 8.

A typical day as a production support assistant at Venable meant that there would be variety in your duties.  Duties ranged from filing client/matter folders; creation of new files or pleadings backers; processing FedEx/UPS shipments; processing large/small mailings; input of new client matters; processing of outgoing invoices or letters.  This was my 1st position in a legal field and I found it extremely interesting and I learned quite a bit.  My co-workers were professional and the attorneys were friendly and easy to work with.

What is the best part of working at the company?
They're ok. Not great. They used to be one of the best in terms of the way they treated the staff but the partnership stopped caring, so its become a sweatshop.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The sweatshop environment and the favoritism. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
There are favorites and I was one until I wasn't. I was treated well for a while and new management came in and turned it into a hostile work environment.

Checking Outlook on the computer for e-mails from management and co-workers for changes in duties.
"Setting-up" conference rooms.
Relieving reception.
Going to the different floors to make sure every thing is functioning properly.
The pantries are well stock.
Stocking the medicine cabinet.
Typing letters for attorneys.
Checking the mail room to assist.
Assisting with the marketing department.
Working in the library. 
Taking care of inventories.

Typical of a big firm, you are expected to work overtime often for months at a time.  You are compensated for and provided meals during that time.  

The work varies from thoughtless and tedious to interesting and challenging.  Most attorneys are very intelligent and great to work for and with. As with any defense firm billable hours are the pits.  

Don't be afraid to ask for more before deciding to exit they just may be able to provide what your are looking for to grow.

DC Accounting Office is not a great place to work. The manager thrives off gossip and disordered,Will try to befriend you only to get in your business and share with the entire department, the HR department favors long time employees and not trust worthy, if you have an issue with someone their just keep it to yourself b/c if you share with HR it will be used against you only to have you terminated or your time their will be miserable.

I enjoyed my time at Venable and learned a lot. The powers that be expect a lot from you and if you show an ability to do well, they will give you a lot of opportunity to shine. However, the culture can be toxic to some and management did not seem concerned about low morale.

More work that you can handle because they are understaffed. Management is non-existent. Work place culture is all business, but they try to once in a while do something for the employees. Can't say it was the best experience of my career, but certainly the hardest. Company needs improvement in standard communication between everyone. Everyone is so distracted it's difficult to succeed in the job. A revolving door of employees. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Legal assistant 6 salaries reported	$68,633 per year
Staff attorney 3 salaries reported	$158,333 per year
Paralegal 3 salaries reported	$51,000 per year
Finance associate 2 salaries reported	$285,000 per year
Private equity associate 1 salary reported	$285,000 per year

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