Pros
- Company invests in YOU. Not just the employee they/you hope you to be, but also the employee that you actually are. - Team orientated to a degree that senior partners/management are willing to work with and grow every employee. - The firm is willing to let you grow at your own pace. Promotions, raises, etc. all come in due time. But if you feel like you are under performing, you wont necessarily feel like you are going to get fired. They work with you. - The biggest pro, is the firm actually cares about you as a person. Carol and Rex Parris will make you feel like they really take time to consider your individual happiness. I've worked many different jobs, but this place really goes the extra mile. Anything from well earned bones, to simple holiday presents. Its a real treat when an employer does these things unprompted as Parris does.
Cons
Parris really expects you to commit to their agenda. However, that agenda is based on exposure to high profile cases and great settlements for their clients. If you want to work the normal 40 - 50 hours per week, then this job isn't for you. Not saying that every week is 65+ hours, but when they need you to grind out an 80 hour week, they do expect you to do it without complaint. If success isn't worth working extremely long hours, then you will not be happy. Just be honest with yourself and you'll know if you are right for this kind of work environment. One caveat is if you have a serious personal event. Anything you would normally take time off (e.g. family emergency), is highly respected by the firm. The commitment is that you put Parris number one professionally, but they respect your personal obligations to your family as paramount to the job. Another big issue is the drive. If you do not have a reliable vehicle, or you simply do not want to drive to Lancaster, then maybe it is not for you. I drive about 8-10 hours per week (round trip). However, with literally no traffic from south Burbank to Lancaster, the drive just really isn't that bad. The scenery is beautiful and you can kind of zone out during the drive. If you are applying as an attorney, also note that when you have hearings in LA, OC, etc, they are very relaxed about letting you work from home. So you wont have to drive to Lancaster every day.