- Law firm Paul Hastings’ list of ‘non-negotiable expectations’ has been leaked, sparking controversy.
- Some called the list “terrifying,” while others say it represents realistic expectations in the industry.
- The company told Insider that “the views expressed do not reflect those of the company or its partners.”
“The Leaked List of”non-negotiable expectationsA junior associate at law firm Paul Hastings spurred debate as some called the request “disgusting,” while others countered that the job’s requirements “shouldn’t surprise anyone.” I am wearing
This list was part of an internal presentation prepared by Associates and distributed to their junior colleagues to be online 24/7, “No Exceptions, No Excuses”, Associates as Waiters or “Four Seasons Concierges”. It contained expectations likened to “Someone who throws everything to cater to a client, ‘the one who comes first and is always right’.”
“You’re in the big leagues of privilege. Act like it,” the slide reads.
In a statement to insiders, the company acknowledged that “the material was prepared by its associates,” but said that “the views expressed do not reflect those of the company or its partners.”
The list quickly went viral on social media platforms such as Reddit and Twitter, sparking debate within the industry about whether the demands were exploitative or realistic.
Lee Edwards, general partner at Root Ventures, a technology-focused investment firm, said: wrote in a tweet on Friday He said he found the expectations “terrifying.”
“I hate this,” he wrote. “This is terrifying. These poor lawyers are playing asses to please their qualified clients. Who the hell is this company? Where are their best contacts for new business?” ?Are they hiring new venture or startup clients?”
Others, such as independent analyst and consultant Benedict Evans, said the list appeared to contain standard questions.
“An adequate and helpful description of having worked for a leading professional services firm at any point in the last 30 (50?) years.” he wrote in a tweet“Yes, some people hate it, some people burn out. Some people perform better, but this shouldn’t surprise anyone.”
Regardless of your point of view, the slides shed light on the broader discussion. Burnout in the legal industryhas long been notorious for its heavy workload, especially among younger employees of large companies.
The profession has seen a rise in resignations in recent years, and research shows growing dissatisfaction in the field: A Journal of Addiction Medicine investigation Of nearly 13,000 attorneys, nearly half of the survey respondents found that they experienced depression during their careers.
Speaking to Insider in 2021, former and current Big Law associates said the pandemic has exacerbated stress and mental health challenges at work, while the nature of the industry has left them with a hostile environment and lack of work-life balance. said to be connected to
“Everyone is being stretched beyond capacity,” said one employee. “Anything that looks like a separation between work and personal life has disappeared.”