Disappointing experience with self-absorbed elitists in one regional office
Pros
It's a great concept on paper. This is really an environmental advocacy group run by lawyers who are generally passionate about an important cause. Some offices are probably more successful than others. Admittedly, some of that has to do with region-specific outside factors that cannot be controlled.
Cons
This is not the real world. Worked with people who lacked management skills but seemed to think their charisma and enthusiasm made up for that. Both the legal and administrative staff work the system, putting in hours but not getting a lot accomplished. A single brief would take five or more staff members weeks and weeks to prepare right up to the deadline--even when nothing else was on the calendar during that time. Too much time wasted on personal chitchat and coffee/ciggie breaks. They probably work 10-15 minutes for every hour claimed. Attorneys bemoaning their heavy caseload yet only two or three active cases in the office at any given time. No concept of time or people management. Support staff just hanging out until a deadline hits because the lawyers believe a law degree is required to do anything more sophisticated than putting paper in the printer. Again, poor management from the top down.
