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If the old adage, "size matters," is true, then Baker & McKenzie matters a lot. The firm has approximately 2,700 attorneys in more than 60 offices spread out over 35 countries, making it the largest law firm in the world (just edging the newly-formed Clifford Chance Rogers & Wells). "One firm or no firm" Baker's stated strategy is "one firm or no firm." Offices are staffed mostly with local lawyers, and all outposts are viewed as equals. Close to 80 percent of the firm's lawyers are based outside of the United States. While Baker's size and reach are impressive, some within the legal industry have derided the firm's affinity for expansion. Baker & McKenzie obviously objects to the criticism it has received. "We're a single global partnership," Baker executive committee chairman Christine Lagarde told The Economist in February 2000. "We've built the infrastructure and we have a genuinely international culture." The firm audits about one-quarter of its offices every year to ensure the quality of their legal services, and boasts that "no other law firm maintains such a dynamic, cooperative organization so singularly invested in the well-being of its attorneys and clients and committed to the building of lasting relationships." History: rapid expansion The firm's roots can be traced back to 1949, when Russell Baker, a University of Chicago law graduate, opened up a law practice in the Windy City. Sensing the potential of the global economy, Baker devoted his practice to international law. Litigator John McKenzie's tax practice served as the foundation upon which the firm would begin to help clients expand overseas. Gender equality: the good news and the bad news Christine Lagarde was elected leader of the firm in October 1999, succeeding John Klotsche. Lagarde, a Parisian practicing since 1981, was one of the first women chosen to lead a large law firm. Lagarde's title was a source of lighthearted debate; she told The New York Times she deliberated for days and solicited numerous opinions before deciding to call herself "chairman," rather than the more politically correct "chairwoman" or the awkward "chairperson" or "chair." When asked by the Times what advice she would give a female lawyer trying to make it to the top, she replied, "Grit your teeth, because it is a matter of resilience, stamina, and energy. And never try to imitate what the boys do." As welcome as the news of Ms. Lagarde's election was, the firm suffered a setback on gender issues in 1999. In April, the firm's appeal of a $3.5 million punitive damage award was upheld by the California Supreme Court. Legal secretary Rena Weeks alleged in 1992 that Martin Greenstein, a former partner at the firm, had harassed her and other female staffers. Weeks further alleged that the firm knew of Greenstein's conduct but took no action because he was a major rainmaker. Greenstein resigned from the firm in October 1993, and the case wound its way through the appeals process for six more years. Putting the incident behind it, Baker & McKenzie announced after the California court's decision that it would not seek a review of the decision in the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm has also shown its dedication to forging a more woman-friendly reputation by initiatives including the sponsorship of Women.future, a gathering of thousands of women in business at over 300 locations in April 2000. Baker brings Mickey and Minnie to China Considering the firm's international presence, it's no surprise that representing companies overseas is a major Baker strength. Baker represented The Walt Disney Company in a January 2000 agreement to build a Hong Kong Disneyland. Partners David Fleming, Cole Capener, and Maurice Emmer served as Disney's advisors on the $1.8 billion deal. Baker worked on another China vacation destination, representing China Resorts International in the company's efforts to build a ski resort in Manchuria that backers hope will one day help attract the Winter Olympics. The $150 million project was announced in November 1999. Outside of Asia, Baker beat out several prominent firms in November 1999 (including international competitor Clifford Chance) to represent the Croatian government in privatizing that country's telecommunications network. Partners Clive Cook, Peter Strivens, and Joachim Scherer led the deal, valued at $875 million. Big deals Baker's mergers and acquisitions practice has pulled in several deals of impressive size. Partners Michael Kunstler and Christopher Saxon represented Texas Utilities in its $1 billion purchase of Australian gas companies Kinetik Energy and Westar in February 1999. That November, the firm represented Cygnus Solutions, a technology company purchased by software developer Red Hat. Partners Michael Madda, Andre Saltoun, Michael Bumbaca, Virginia Gibson, and John Hentrich, and associates Nicholas Spyros and Stewart Lipeless worked on various aspects of the $674 million deal. During the same month, partners Tim Gee, Alison Flood, and Ian Jack, along with associates Helen Bradley, Helen Goldberg, and George Brady advised SFX Entertainment on its $275 million acquisition of the Apollo Leisure Group and the MCP Group.
Different folks for different offices According to firm insiders, Baker & McKenzie's hiring practices and standards can vary according to office or practice group. "People with good educational backgrounds" are universally valued, and one source says there's a "significant emphasis on Harvard, Stanford, and Boalt as sources of first-year hires." "Applicants who have graduated from a top-tier law school or [who are] at the top of their class will find the application process to be easy," according to one Chicago associate. "Other applicants will encounter significant hurdles obtaining even a screening interview." Of course, grades aren't the only criteria. "The standards are pretty high, but I can honestly say that it isn't just about grades," says one lawyer. "We are looking for unique, bright, and outgoing people. Fluency in other languages also gets noticed," though insiders report that English is spoken at all offices and by most clients.
Different culture for different offices Baker's worldwide reach also affects the firm's culture. "Each office is different," states one New York associate. "Chicago is the largest and most social. New York has more of a work-and-go-home attitude." There are some aspects of the culture that can be found at all offices. "The firm's culture demands a significantly greater independent effort by associates to develop their own career," observes one third-year Baker attorney. "The international network of offices and the international nature of the work does provide a global perspective. The firm's financial model had produced a culture that emphasizes individual effort over group problem solving, to the point that group efforts to retain clients, develop clients, or develop associates are extremely disadvantaged. On the other hand, for the aggressive, assertive attorney, there are a number of opportunities for interesting work and a lucrative career." There is a downside to the firm's international network. "Baker is extremely decentralized, which makes for little organization," complains one lawyer. "Oftentimes, the firm operates not as a single entity, but as a massive number of small firms banded together." Progressive pay Surprisingly, compensation seems to be a non-issue at Baker. Says one DC lawyer simply, "We are all paid way too much." Another attorney goes a step further, saying "At some point, associates will realize that the money we make is far more than the money we earn and far exceeds that which we contribute to society." While their colleagues might disagree, everyone seems satisfied with their paychecks. "Baker & McKenzie's new associate compensation structure is very progressive in the legal market," claims one Chicago attorney. "Associates are able to earn a bonus on non-billable contributions to the firm." Additionally, at Baker "you become a second-year associate after only nine months, instead of 15 like at other firms, which means earlier raises." Scenic views A DC associate says the offices there have "pretty nice d?cor - but it's probably more British than our London offices. Lots of dark wood and pictures of fox hunting." Partners can look over the commander-in-chief's shoulder. "Some of the offices have an amazing view of the White House." A bonus for the cramped - "no one has to share offices." Washington isn't the only office with amazing views. In Chicago, "the South Side views [are of] Grant Park, the Loop, and Lake Michigan." A drawback is the "dingy, built-in furniture. In San Francisco, the offices are "cramped for space," but senior associates in most locations don't have to share offices. Diversity efforts not met with startling results Overall, Baker associates feel that while an effort is made to recruit minorities, the results aren't noticeable. "The firm is trying hard to hire more diverse staff but has not been very successful yet," says one source. Others are more critical. "It is not clear that the office is particularly focused on diversity issues, although working at the firm can be a diverse experience because of the extensive interaction with foreign lawyers," comments one third-year associate. Homosexuals are cautioned to be careful at Baker & McKenzie. (It's rumored that the film "Philadelphia" is based in part on a gay ex-Baker attorney dismissed because he had AIDS.) "As a closeted gay associate, the firm is simply not ready to deal with having openly gay associates," says one source. "It is very much a 'don't ask, don't tell' kind of a firm. Discretion is the key." Another lawyer says, "I would say that it is a very uninviting place to be openly gay." The firm does offer domestic partner benefits, but one associate points out that, at least in San Francisco, those benefits are required by law. Globetrotters are satisfied One associate reports "mixed emotions" working at Baker. "[I] love the people, but the quality of work, poor training, and nonexistent method of work distribution hurts." Other associates are more positive. "This is the best place to work in DC," raves one lawyer. "I think this is a positive example of firm life overall," states one contact. "I work with very skilled and intelligent people," adds one attorney. "The work is quite challenging. You are given the appropriate amount of independence and client contact from the minute you set foot in the door." Associates report that the "global client base allows you to interact with a wide range of diverse people." One globetrotter says, "there is nowhere else that I can work on matters involving disputes and transactions in Russia, Japan, Argentina, and Chicago, and still not miss my kids' soccer games or swimming lessons."
Eleonora Nikol Recruitment Coordinator (312) 861-2924
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