Wilson Elser reviews

I am told that the atmosphere has changed drastically since management has changed after I left so this information may not longer apply as I have been told it's a pretty nice place to work now. I also believe that this atmosphere was specific to the Las Vegas office and not to Wilson Elser as a whole as my interactions with other offices was very good and professional. The atmosphere at the time was very negative and moral of attorneys and office staff was very very low. Attorneys and staff were berated by at least one partner in front of others and there was a definite hierarchy in place that was not to be disturbed.

Billable hours are essential to any insurance defense firm. The difference between Wilson Elser and other defense firms, however, is the emphasis placed on billing requirements. At Wilson Elser, it's a mantra, it's gospel, it's essentially the only thing that partners and other management want to discuss with associates. This would be understandable if the compensation was reasonable given the amount of hours associates are expected to bill. But at Wilson Elser, associates are required to bill a MINIMUM of 2100 hours, yet get paid nothing close to what other firms requiring the same billables pay. In short, associates are expected to bill big law hours yet get compensated small firm pay. This explains why morale is so low among associates. It also explains why the firm is literally a revolving door, with a new associate leaving each month. If you have no other options, this isn't the worst place to work temporarily, for the reasons mentioned in the Pros section. But I would choose it as an ultimate last resort, at least unless the firm's compensation becomes commensurate with its billing mandate.