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Perkins Coie hails from that haven of fleece vests, cappuccino, and rainy days that we call Seattle. Insiders characterize it as being a firm that "pays market rates but still feels that lifestyle (seeing the sunset) is as important as work." This "laid-back," "casual" firm is known throughout the West for its high tech practice. A rain-soaked Northwestern Pacific Northwest mainstay Perkins Coie traces its history back to the spring of 1912, when Federal Judge George Donworth and U.S. Attorney Elmer Todd founded their partnership with "a handshake on a Seattle sidewalk." Donworth & Todd, as the firm was then known, opened its doors on May 1, 1912 and began acquiring major clients. Only two years after opening, the firm picked up perhaps its most important client, William Boeing, who manufactured the newfangled machines called airplanes. Attorneys from the firm have served in many high level positions including President of the American Bar Association and Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. The firm also has two retired partners serving as judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. High tech clientele With high-profile clients including Amazon.com, Yahoo!, RealNetworks, Egghead.com, and US West, Perkins Coie is decidedly a force in the world of high tech law. As early as 1996, high tech clients already accounted for close to one quarter of the firm's revenues. In 1999 Perkins Coie was placed on Red Herring magazine's "Top 10 High Tech Law Firms." In early 2000, Perkins Coie defended Amazon.com in a highly publicized patent suit against Barnesandnoble.com. In the controversial suit, which was satirized in The New York Times Magazine, attorneys from Perkins Coie argued that Barnes and Noble's Express Lane feature, which allowed consumers to purchase an item with a single click of a mouse, violated Amazon's patent on the "1-Click" method for Internet purchases. The judge found in favor of Amazon, and Barnesandnoble.com had to add an additional step to their process. Springing up in SoMa In spite of the competition with Silicon Valley firms, Perkins Coie has continued to grow. The L.A. office, which opened in 1988 with 17 lawyers, now has more than 35 lawyers and moved to new offices in order to create room for more expansion. Perkins Coie's Silicon Valley offices have found new digs as well. The new offices, which are already almost full, are located on swanky Commonwealth Drive in Menlo Park and in the trendy SoMa district of San Francisco.
Academic focus Perkins Coie has a "high focus on academic achievement," notes an insider. However, high grades alone will not get you a position at the firm. Another associate reports that "Perkins Coie generally seeks applicants with strong academic backgrounds and ties to the Pacific Northwest (or any other markets where they intend to work), who are well-rounded and have additional interests aside from the law." Moreover, the associate continues, "Perkins will interview countless candidates for only one slot." Another contact reveals: "Summer associates are likely to do all right, once they get that position, but the firm is very, very picky about lateral candidates."
Jackpot! "Perkins Coie's salary structure is outstanding," an associate reports. "All associates make a good wage, especially considering Seattle's cost of living and the absence of state or local income taxes." Other associates note that "the firm responded quickly to match the new salaries but has not yet formalized the bonus process. I expect that it will be competitive with other Silicon Valley firms, although this has not been formalized yet." A considerably compensated contact comments, "The compensation structure at Perkins Coie is complicated but fair. California and New York firms may offer more money but, after working at a large New York firm, I expect my per hour pay to be better here. Laid-back partners Partners at Perkins Coie are generally well-regarded by the associates. "Perkins Coie has a very progressive atmosphere that tends to favor the mentoring relationship between partners and associates," notes a Seattle-based source. "There quite simply are no barriers between partners and associates either socially or in the work environment." Others characterize the partners as being very gracious, reporting that "partners thank secretaries, paralegals, and associates for their work." There are some associates who are slightly critical of partners, however. A source elaborates, "The only concern anyone has is that partners are so busy that they don't have time to supervise adequately. They do expect new associates to ramp up quickly and treat us as equals." No crazy party While many associates at Perkins Coie define the firm as being a lifestyle firm, most do not characterize that lifestyle as being based around the firm. An attorney based in Seattle reveals, "The social interaction between lawyers at Perkins Coie may not be as high as at other firms, because the attorneys here have extremely varied interests and substantial lives outside the firm." Bonus mininum below competitors, business persists The 1,850 hour billable minimum is an important indicator of the firms' attitude towards work. A litigator elaborates, "In Perkins Coie's litigation department, the work comes in waves. Generally, when an attorney's cases are in a lull, he or she is encouraged to take advantage of the free time." Moreover, another associate adds, "the compensation structure minimizes pressure to bill. The number of hours an associate is expected to bill is built into her salary. It's a fair and rational system." East side, West side, all-around reputation Perkins Coie attorneys wax thoughtful about the firm's reputation in the legal industry at large. No one doubts that Perkins is "the premier firm in the Pacific Northwest," even in light of the move of many prominent California firms to the Seattle area. "The firm has responded and remained competitive," assesses one Seattle associate, who adds "Perkins has definitely responded better than other Seattle firms." If you're betting on partnership... Perkins associates are happy about their relatively high chances of making partner. A Seattle-based associate estimates there is "about 50 percent chance of making it." One associate supplies, "If an associate continues to do good work, his or her prospects for partnership are all but guaranteed." A senior associate explains the structure of the partnership track: "The seven-year partnership track is firmly established. Associates are apprised of their partnership status beginning their fifth year. My sense is that during the two years leading up to the final partnership decision, the associate and the evaluation committees involved mutually agree on promotion status - either partner or of counsel. I have heard no stories of associates who felt they were passed over for partner." Many associates report that the chances of making partner may not be as high as reported: "With the raises and all the lateral partner hiring, there's a perception that it'll be harder, but not enough time has passed to tell." Others report that part-time work can be a hindrance to the partnership, stating that "while part-time associates can make partner, it still seems to be based significantly on the number of hours worked here. In addition, bringing in work seems to be another big factor." Quality but not quantity The support staff at Perkins Coie receives mixed reviews from the associates. Negative reviews generally have more to do with availability of resources than quality of support. A source based at the firm's headquarters raves, "Excellent and vast resources are at your command as an associate, from library, copying, messengers, paralegals, secretaries, and word processing." An associate from the Bay Area is not quite as enthusiastic: "Support services have dramatically improved over the past year, but we still have a ways to go." A Seattle-ite critiques, "Secretaries don't have enough time, but in general the support is pretty dedicated and skilled." Good for women, but where are the women partners? The firm receives good marks when questioned regarding diversity issues with respect to women. A female associate states, "Generally, the firm enjoys great parity between the genders. There are still too few male assistants or secretaries, and the firm is struggling to make compensation equitable for those who choose to participate in the part-time program." Another associate reports that firm policies are "generally very strong. Part-time policies for care givers are excellent." One associate cautions that while "the firm's intent is good, and I'm not sure what it's doing wrong; it just can't seem to retain women. Perhaps if there were a woman partner it might send a healthier message." Gay in Perkins A Bay Area associate notes, "In San Francisco any firm is foolish not to recognize the value of the gay community. Many of the attorneys and staff here are openly gay and are welcomed with open arms." According to one attorney, the firm provides "full benefits to the extent permitted by federal tax laws and a very supportive and welcoming environment." A gay associate reports, "I was openly gay when they hired me. They've been very comfortable with it and I've felt very welcome to be out here." Pro bono, really? Attorneys at the firm are divided regarding their firm's commitment to pro bono work. While an associate notes, "I have always received encouragement from partners in my representation of pro bono clients," many feel the firm's attitude towards counting pro bono hours towards billable requirements is stifling. Corporate attorneys notice differences between departments. "Some of the litigators do pro bono work, but the corporate finance people have never seen a pro bono case cross their desk." C'mon, get happy Associates at Perkins Coie are generally very happy. "I don't think I would be as happy anywhere else. In fact, I was not nearly as happy at the first large firm I worked for in San Francisco. This firm has a great outlook on work and lifestyle," explains one source. A Seattle-based Perkinite reports that "for a big firm, I think this is about as good as it gets. It's not perfect, but I've heard very few complaints. For the most part, I've been able to choose the kind of work I do, and take on challenging and significant responsibilities in the process. The people here, from staff to partners, are also great. I really enjoy the people I work with. The flexibility hours-wise has also been key. I've been able to really enjoy the Seattle area, and there's a lot to enjoy."
Kari Anne Tuohy, Esq. Director of Lawyer Personnel 1201 Third Avenue Suite 48001 Seattle WA 98101-3099 (206) 583-8480 (206) 583-8500
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