Big law firm, Gunderson Dettmer, recently found itself in the line of fire on Reddit, where users levelled accusations of the firm hosting their summer event at a strip club. While the venue turned out to be not a strip club, but a nightclub replete with scantily clad go-go dancers, the difference did little to assuage concerns regarding potential infringement on a harassment-free work environment.
Moreover, even after the presumably expensive outing, the firm took an unexpected step to not extend job offers to a considerable number of summer associates after completion of their internships. This move has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations about the firm’s approach towards its employees and interns.
In the midst of this discourse, another issue arose. Jeff Clark, a legal professional, took aim at Neal Katyal on social media, but apparently missed his target. It seems as if the turbulence within the legal industry is not confined to issues within firms, but extends to personal disputes within the fraternity.
Adding to the turmoil is the unveiling of a presence tool by law firm Goodwin, meant to track the presence of its employees in and out of the office. The reception has been less than warm, with many associates expressing dissatisfaction with this development. It seems the transition to a hybrid work model has brought new challenges to the field of legal practice.