I really wish law firms would take a look at Reddit to understand the current sentiments of biglaw associates.
Regarding the ongoing violations of rule of law — let’s skip platforms like Fishbowl, where comments are filtered, and definitely avoid Twitter, where ‘Muskyboi’ might be employing moderators to stifle dissent. Meta? Honestly, I have no idea what goes on there.
Whenever firms assert, “You can share anything with us; we consider you family, and we genuinely value your feedback,” it’s time to put that to the test. If they genuinely want to hear the unvarnished truth, Reddit is where it’s at.
I often wonder why journalists overlook Reddit comments in their reporting, especially when some of the most insightful thoughts and perspectives come from here. For instance, Rachel Cohen’s signature campaign gained significant traction within this community—major respect for that! And Skadden? They really dropped the ball there, echoing Paul Weiss’s missteps.
I encourage journalists to point law firms to this subreddit and similar ones if it might drive them to actually pay attention to what their associates are saying. Of course, I hope these firms won’t retaliate by asking Ohanian to disclose our real user IDs — who knows what could happen under the current circumstances?
Edit: Based on the comments here, it seems many of you have lived in America your whole lives and haven’t experienced the threat of dictatorship (I have). This complacency among lawyers is reminiscent of what allowed the Third Reich to rise. Just look at DLA Piper’s recent actions, which seem to follow that playbook—replacing female managing partners with male counterparts. I understand that Reddit can sometimes serve as an echo chamber (I’m not touching the personal attacks), and I don’t expect management to implement major changes after this.
However, their silence is unsettling. They’re not even holding internal town halls to discuss their plans, even while profiting enormously off our work. Sure, you can brush it off and say, “This is how the profession works; you entered for the money, so just accept it.” But to compare this profession to investment banking or tech—fields that don’t require an understanding of human rights—is simply not accurate.
One Response
You raise some solid points about the disconnect between big law firms and their associates, especially when it comes to addressing rule of law violations and the broader implications of the legal profession. It’s clear that associates are seeking a genuine dialogue rather than the sanitized narratives commonly presented by firm leadership. Reddit seems to be a more honest space for these discussions, where the reality of the associate experience can be articulated without fear of repercussion.
Your comparison to historical complacency resonates deeply, and it’s a stark reminder of the importance of accountability. The silence from management, especially amidst significant upheaval, is disheartening. If firms genuinely want to foster a culture of openness and transparency, they need to engage with the concerns expressed by their associates—not just pay lip service to them.
While you acknowledge that no drastic changes may come from this, even a willingness to listen would be a step in the right direction. The legal profession carries responsibilities that go beyond monetary gain, and it’s crucial for firms to reflect on their values and how they align with the expectations of their associates. Encouraging journalists to take authentic discussions from platforms like Reddit seriously is a great call. It could help shed light on the real issues facing associates and contribute to a necessary cultural shift within these firms. Thanks for raising this important conversation!