2002 Associates Survey: From Allen & Overy to Lowenstein Sandler

Allen & Overy

International (U.K.)

Participating offices: London, New York

Number of respondents: 19

National score: 3.95 (rank: 22nd)

(Score is on a 1-to-5 scale; rank is based on 132 firms)

How the firm rated on key quality-of-life issues:

� Treatment by partners: 4.6 (rank: 2)

� How interesting work is: 4.3 (5)

� Training and guidance: 3.9 (20)

� Atmosphere at the firm: 4.4 (9)

� Openness re: finances: 3.5 (46)

� Communication re: partnership: 3.0 (66)

� Realistic billable hours: 4.6 (3)

� Attitude toward pro bon 3.8 (53)

� Likelihood of staying at least two years: 3.5 (50)

Average hours worked per week: 51.6

Average hours billed per week: 38.9

Salary range: $131K-$190K

Prestige rank, nationwide: 68 (18 votes)

Self-esteem score: 4.50 (rank: 26)

(Midlevels rated their own firm’s prestige on a scale of 1 to 5)

Percent who said they have mentors: 68 percent

Percent who are satisfied with compensation: 84.2 percent

Percent now looking for work: 10.5 percent

What associates said they like most:Shouting or yelling of any kind is utterly inconceivable. Vacation is held sacred. The balance of work and social life is fantastic. The bar at the office is a significant bonus.

What associates said they like least:The technology. The tension between the Americans and British because of different compensation schemes based on a lawyer’s home market rate.

Alston & Bird

Atlanta

Participating offices: Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Washington, D.C.

Number of respondents: 62

National score: 4.33 (rank: 1st)

(Score is on a 1-to-5 scale; rank is based on 132 firms)

How the firm rated on key quality-of-life issues:

� Treatment by partners: 4.5 (rank: 6)

� How interesting work is: 4.2 (14)

� Training and guidance: 4.2 (5)

� Atmosphere at the firm: 4.7 (1)

� Openness re: finances: 4.8 (2)

� Communication re: partnership: 4.4 (3)

� Realistic billable hours: 4.1 (22)

� Attitude toward pro bon 4.0 (44)

� Likelihood of staying at least two years: 4.0 (11)

Average hours worked per week: 54.8

Average hours billed per week: 41.6

Salary range: $101K-$170K

Prestige rank, nationwide: 35 (63 votes)

Self-esteem score: 4.45 (rank: 30)

(Midlevels rated their own firm’s prestige on a scale of 1 to 5)

Percent who said they have mentors: 82 percent

Percent who are satisfied with compensation: 79.0 percent

Percent now looking for work: 4.8 percent

What associates said they like most:Firm culture. The people and the work. Most generally care about my development. Couldn’t have a better job.

What associates said they like least:It tries too hard to achieve an impossible task — impose/create a sense of family. It’s an excellent workplace but that is all it is. Billable hours are too high.