Pros
Great health insurance and vacation time, office equipment and technology are up to date, occasional staff socials and lunches that are nice. Charity and diversity are important.
Cons
Pay and bonuses are not competitive (lowball offer and raises, 0 bonus first year). Some assistants are assigned to 4-6 attorneys. This only works if each attorney is self sufficient, and even that's a stretch. Impossible if you're expected to get screen calls, greet clients, fetch coffee, and do paralegal work in addition to typical assistant duties (scheduling, filing, document drafting). When another assistant is out you are expected to cover their multiple attorneys in addition to your own. Attorneys do not take in to account that you are assigned to other attorneys with equally important needs. Work is not evenly distributed. Redundant procedures complicate simple tasks. Secretary is an outdated title, especially for the job responsibilities. Attorneys are under such pressure to bill and build client portfolio, they work nonstop and are run ragged.