Because Law Firms on the Precipice Keep Hiring

This follow-up piece on how Howrey’s lawyers are doing following the firm’s demise a year ago is reminder for all prospective hires, from partner to paralegal, to do their own due diligence on any prospective employer.  First-year associates along with everyone else at Howrey lost their jobs when the firm dissolved. Make sure you’re not jumping onto a sinking ship by gathering information about a firm’s performance.

 An interviewer probably won’t answer direct questions about firm finances, so be more circumspect: Is the firm staffing because of recent departures, or because of growth? Does the firm pay for lawyers’ bar dues or for their continuing legal education classes? What professional development activities are provided for paralegals and other staff? How does this contrast to five years ago? What facility upgrades are in the works? Prospective hires should also scour legal publications before their scheduled interview. Has the firm recently lost big-name partners or major clients? Ask about the fallout from these events.  Work in a discussion of the current economy and inquire how the firm is weathering bad times. And hope that if a firm is on the brink of dissolution, someone will be candid enough with you to tell you, at least on the sly, to look elsewhere.