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Winston is a Chicago firm with attitude. This top-tier firm is noted for representing unpopular clients like the tobacco industry - and doing a darn good job of it too. Other top Illinois-area clients include Sears and Abbott Laboratories. Winston's prowess in both litigation and corporate matters, however, ensure it's not just a regional firm. History: old-timers - and we mean that as a compliment Chicago-based Winston & Strawn was founded in 1853 by Frederick Winston; in 1892 Silas Strawn, the firm's other name partner, was added. Over the years, the firm added offices in New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Paris, France, and Geneva, Switzerland. Growth through merger has been popular. In 1989, the firm merged with New York-based Cole & Deitz; the next year, it was DC's Bishop, Cook. The merging has continued into the new millennium. The Lawyer reported in March 2000 that Winston was in talks to merge with New York firm Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan. That would increase the number of Winston attorneys to 850 - up from approximately 700 - and boost the New York office to 250 from 145. Acrobatic litigation Winston's known for hard-hitting litigation - a reputation that associates echo gleefully. "In litigation, we are considered to be a big firm," one Chicago-based associate boasts to Vault.com. "We do not cut corners and we will make you jump through every hoop. You won't outspend us." Indeed, litigation is probably the firm's shining strength. The 200-member litigation team is led by Dan Webb, a Loyola Law School graduate who has been with the firm since 1985. Webb's profile on Winston's web site (www.winston.com) includes a link to a 17-page document detailing his greatest hits. Why does Webb need that much storage space on the Winston server? He's famous, mostly for prosecuting General John Poindexter, the National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan, in the Iran-Contra affair of the 1980s. Corporate needs no practice\ Winston's corporate practice spans the entire spectrum from mergers and acquisitions to bankruptcy to securities. In M&A, Winston represented concert promoter SFX Entertainment when they were purchased for $3.3 billion by Clear Channel Communications in March 2000. That same month, the firm represented Royal Numico when the Netherlands nutritional products maker purchased Pittsburgh-based General Nutrition for $1.77 billion.
School doesn't matter Firm insiders report that Winston puts little weight on school attended. "We're a Chicago firm, not an East Coast firm, so you don't need an Ivy League school on your resume," reports one source. While the most prestigious law schools in the Midwest - Chicago, Northwestern, and Michigan - are prevalent, Notre Dame, Illinois, and Loyola are also represented. "Winston prides itself on hiring the best talent in the market," says one associate. That means that grades are important, no matter what school you attended, and a spot on the law review is key. Clerkships are also looked upon favorably. Some at Winston claim to detect a recent drop in the quality of lateral hires. "As the firm has expanded, I've noticed the quality of associates hired, particularly laterals, has gone down somewhat," says one source. "I think, however, that the firm intends to tighten its criteria going forward, given new salary and associate performance considerations." Good cop, good cop Besides grades, personality is a key Winston criteria during the hiring process. Winston does "not want a gunner mentality," says one source. The interviews, therefore, are designed to be low-stress. "We're very friendly," says a Chicago associate. "At other places some people try to play the bad cop. We don't." One piece of advice: try to stand out. "[Since] lawyers at Winston interview many candidates each year, it's crucial to distinguish yourself - in terms of personality and interests - from all the other candidates," says one contact. "Winston looks for well-rounded people who are team players," summarizes one insider.
We're not stuffy! (But we do work hard) If you thought a law firm (and Winston in particular) might be a staid place to work, Winston insiders encourage you to reconsider. "Contrary to popular opinion, Winston is not a stuffy place to work," bristles one first-year associate. Most insiders echo that opinion, calling Winston "very professional, exciting, and rewarding. A great place to develop one's legal career." Most of the comments Vault.com hears about Winston culture, in fact, are rosy. "Many people here are very laid-back and fun to work with," says one observer. Other sources call the firm "very professional and somewhat formal - but not in a bad way." Nothing's perfect, and a complaint associates share is the hierarchical structure that shapes Winston's decision-making process. "The firm is bureaucratic," complains one lawyer. "Decisions are made by a small group of powerful partners, and there is almost never any solicitation of associate feedback. It is possible to have a good time here, but there is always a political undertone that one must be aware of - you never know when something you do is going to create a reputation for you." A first-year associate agrees with that perception, stating that "an elite few make the rules and let everyone know after the fact." Hot social life in the Second City Insiders say, "once you have established yourself, Winston can be a friendly environment." Better look for a place in the city if you want an active social life. "Winston is a very enjoyable place to work because of its associates," says one Chicago associate. "There is a great deal of social interaction between attorneys outside the firm, particularly those who live in Chicago, as opposed to the suburbs." "I regularly hang out with a group of about 10 lawyers in my class - we are constantly getting together outside of work. We have arranged group trips, dinners, and parties," says one busy attorney. Pay flap Winston's pay structure excites interest in most associates Vault.com surveyed. "Several firms set a new pay scale. Winston was not among the leader firms and it was noticed," reports one litigation associate. "The firm finally announced that it would match these numbers for those with acceptable hours and evaluations. Approximately one month later, each associate received a memo with his or her new salary." And what did that memo say? "This salary was determined by dividing each class into three tiers - only the top tier received the numbers that match the rest of the market." Not everyone makes the same. The result, that contact says, was that "many associates feel betrayed and misled by the way in which these raises were handed out." Winston points out that associates themselves were not divvied up into three categories by the new pay structure. Rather, the hours were divided into three levels. All associates billing 1,950 hours and above will receive the highest level of compensation. Tier two associates are those billing between 1,850 and 1,950 hours. According to the firm, the only tier three associates "are those with utilization issues" - and the vast majority of associates are already comfortably in tier one. Pro bono hours do not count towards salary, but do count towards bonus. Beautiful skyline views One attorney at Winston describes the offices as "spectacular. The Chicago office is absolutely beautiful with lovely views over Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline." Another lawyer calls the offices "classic but understated." Other Chicago associates say Winston has "without a doubt, the most beautiful offices in the city," and that "only a visit could do Winston justice." Support staff: too respectful? Winston associates rave about the support staff, saying the firm provides "support services for just about every attorney need." Another lawyer worries that support staff treats associates "almost with too much respect. I have to go out of my way to have support staff call me by my first name." Over-respectful staff - an uncommon complaint indeed! Low turnover "Most associates are satisfied with their employment and turnover is extremely low in comparison to other firms," reports one lawyer. Another insider says "not only does it seem relatively rare for people to leave (as large firms go), but it is not uncommon for people to return." Insiders also claim that associate turnover has risen along with the market. "Turnover has increased recently given greater salary stratification within associate classes," says one lawyer. Attorney satisfaction remains high "This is the best firm to work at," says one boastful Winston & Strawn associate. "The partners are respectful, the work is high quality, and the associates make the work entertaining." "For a big firm, it would be difficult to imagine things being significantly nicer," says one third-year associate. "There will always be pressure to work, and there will always be pressure by nature of the work we do. This is not a place to work if you are interested in being home for dinner, or never having to worry before making weekend plans. But generally we get good work and work with smart people." Not everyone is that thrilled. One associate who apparently is unsatisfied with the level of support grouses, "it is hard to be fulfilled by making copies, proofreading, and distributing documents, but that is the price associates pay." Some Winstonites cherish both the work and the co-workers, stating they are excited that they "get to do interesting work for partners and associates I enjoy spending time with." Another associate notes, "We are paid well, we have access to virtually any resources we need, the people are generally friendly, and the work is high profile." Potential trouble That doesn't mean all is - or will remain - idyllic in Winstonville. Like associates at other firms, Winstonites are nervous about the impact of increased hours pressure on their quality of life. On the downside, "some partners do not acknowledge that you have a life outside the firm and regularly make demands that are not really necessary," according to one associate. "For example, requiring research immediately on a Friday afternoon, when they're not going to look at it until Tuesday." Another insider reports: "The mood here changed after the raises - there is a bit of latent hostility by the partners toward the associates. [The partners] definitely do not have qualms about making us sweat for the extra money." Stay tuned.
Paulette R. Kuttig Legal Recruiting Manager (312) 558-5742
Kirkland & Ellis;Mayer, Brown & Platt;McDermott, Will & Emery;Sidley & Austin More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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