Wilson Elser reviews

3.7

69% would recommend to a friend

(646 total reviews)
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Dan McMahon

82% approve of CEO

80% positive business outlook

Wilson Elser has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 646 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Wilson Elser employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Legal industry (3.8 stars).

Reviews by job title

646 reviews
1.0
Jun 26, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Run run run run away

Cons

Wilson Elser has an auto deduct time clock, which subtracts 60 minutes from employees' time whether one gets a meal break or not. If you clock out for 30 minutes, 60 minutes is deducted. If you clock out for 70 minutes, 75 minutes is deducted. Affectionately referred to in our office as the "WEMED cheating" time clock. And if you are forced to work without a break, they will not pay the premium meal break penalty. Wilson Elser violates ERISA laws by not disclosing plan information to participants such as the SPD and SMM.

1.0
Sep 9, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It's a job that pays a decent salary and there are some good people that work there. Free water and soda in each office and once in a while, they manage to pass on the leftover lunches from management meetings.

Cons

Let's just start with the benefits - they are horrible. Probably the worst I've ever seen except for the amount of vacation you start with. Moral is poor (if there is any at all) across all departments within the firm. Annual reviews are just another way for the company to tell you to work more without additional pay. Management passed their retirement age a few decades ago but are somehow still running the firm.

1.0
Aug 9, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

None. Literally none. Perhaps national name recognition?

Cons

I worked at Wilson Elser's NYC office for almost 2 years as an associate. The billable hours are intense and incessantly emphasized, despite severe under compensation. The sole measure of whether you are succeeding is your hours. This is a sweatshop with no regard for quality of work or professional development. Management is unprofessional and verbally abusive. There is no oversight for young attorneys, i.e., at times work product borders on malpractice. I did not hone any skills or increase my knowledge base. I just tread water at this dump for two years. This is not a good place to start your legal career; nor is it even a stepping stone. There is no room for growth/advancement - unless you literally sleep your way to the top. The technology is antiquated and in desperate need of a facelift. Benefits are terrible. Very high turnover rate. Many leave the practice of law after working here. I encourage those who interview or are considering accepting offer to think long and hard about holding out for other options, despite the market.

Viewing 37 - 39 of 646 Reviews

Glassdoor has 674 Wilson Elser reviews submitted anonymously by Wilson Elser employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Wilson Elser is right for you.