Whiplash? - Office Administrative Assistant Wilson Elser Employee Review

3.0
Feb 1, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company perks and benefits.

Cons

As an office assistant, I expected that my work would be varied and reliant upon the needs of my attorneys' current caseload. But most of my work revolved around managing the travel plans and research for one attorney, who was already assigned a legal assistant and paralegal. All the work I did for her was considered "extracurricular," i.e. not related to any case for the firm. Everyone knew this, and largely gave the attorney free reign to use company resources for her personal projects. It made me uncomfortable that she didn't really seem to answer to anyone regarding this. They then decided to start training me to do another legal assistant's job, on top of the myriad of extracurricular items for this one "problematic" attorney. I was frequently tugged in multiple directions by different attorneys, but expected to prioritize the "extracurricular" work. It was very odd, and there were no clear boundaries or expectations explained or asserted for this role. I would caution anyone looking at these kinds of roles to look into the attorneys they'll be working for, and to demand clarity about the job duties for this role. I would have stayed with this company if the attorneys were better managed.

Explore other reviews about Wilson Elser

5.0
Jul 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good coworkers and supervisors. Billable work environments tend to be the same in terms of monotony, so it helps to have a good team.

Cons

Billable hours aren't the most fun thing in the world. Huge caseload.

3.0
Jul 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, pay is okay. Partners are reasonable and nice.

Cons

Firm is misogynistic. They either drove someone to quit/fired really good talent and one of the only attorneys that was sweet to the staff after they took the side of male colleague in their interpersonal issue. Watched this person get bullied and firm did nothing. A lot of exclusive groups and mean girl behavior in chicago office it is really a shame

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