What Unusual Amenities Do Your Firms/Offices Have?

Ha!
Aug 26, 2009 5:38 PM CST

Comment removed by moderator.

Flag this comment

B. McLeod
Aug 26, 2009 10:13 PM CST

Gentlemen, your envy is so unbecoming.

Flag this comment

tim
Aug 27, 2009 11:44 AM CST

The only amenity our firm has is a company credit and a clothing allowance. I actually got a lecture once that I wasn’t using the credit card enough.

Flag this comment

caciiiesq
Aug 28, 2009 1:30 AM CST

2 live in cats, aviary (large caged in bird habitat), bring dogs or cats to work any time you want.

Flag this comment

Jeanne
Aug 28, 2009 6:27 AM CST

Lighten up people.  Why did we spend so much money and time to get into this honorable profession, then spend so much time working at it if we can’t have a little fun?  Our managing partner is a gourmet cook and wine enthusiast.  He regularly whips up some fantastic dishes and brings them in for all to enjoy.  Plus we have a fully-stocked, climate-controlled wine room at the office and get regular wine bonuses for jobs well done.  These amenities help keep morale up in a very stressful environment.

Flag this comment

Government Lawyer X
Aug 28, 2009 6:32 AM CST

Like Bill, my office has all the legal work we can handle and then some.  Plus, after 15 years in the private sector, I can say that government service has so far afforded me one really nice luxury—clients that almost always are interested in taking the legally correct course of action.  Moreover, when presented with several options that are equally acceptable under the law, they usually pick the one that benefits the public, rather than their own parochial interests. 

It’s nice to see, actually.

Flag this comment

Gov't lawyer
Aug 28, 2009 6:59 AM CST

I’m a NYC Government lawyer and the only perks we have are flat screen monitors, our own offices at every level (at least in my agency) and once a year they buy us lunch (after a fundraiser).  THe once a month we have a breakfast together, we have to pay. 
But, by far the best perks are the great hours and the clients who follow our rules.

Flag this comment

Jurisgirl
Aug 28, 2009 7:40 AM CST

My biggest perk is that I have a boss that isn’t demanding and lets me decide which clients I want to see and what cases I want to litigate. I don’t get paid as much as many other lawyers, but the ability to make decisions is priceless!

Flag this comment

Kay
Aug 28, 2009 8:29 AM CST

As a solo practitioner I get to bring my dog to work every day.  (The cat stays home though—that kitten on the keyboard thing is problematic.)  Also I have windows that open, very nice in mild weather.  And if I need a new computer, a book, or anything else, I just decide whether it is worth buying—no committee approvals needed.  Life is good.

Flag this comment

Nate H.
Aug 28, 2009 8:39 AM CST

My firm’s office building is located on a golf course.  I love my view of the first hole and I enjoy the fact that I can literally step out and hit the links when I have the opportunity.

Flag this comment

Will Work For Perks
Aug 28, 2009 9:21 AM CST

Lighten up.  Even the Supremes have a basketball court.  I don’t miss the Gimme items or sports tickets from when I was in Marketing, but wouldn’t mind having a gym on-site again.

Flag this comment

Juris Bear
Aug 28, 2009 10:10 AM CST

Heh, these are actually putting adding a smile to my already good demeanor Friday face.

In this day, were having a paying job is probably enough of a “perk,” everything else is gravy I suppose.

Besides having a job I enjoy coming to every morning, we have Friday treats.  My bosses are not only awesome to work for, but great friends and understanding of my interesting schedule where I’m constantly chasing my husband around the country for his athletic events.

Other perks are as an associate having an office that’s larger than any of the bedrooms in my house, an awesome staff that doesn’t pull I’m too busy working on partner projects *carp* when we’re all busy.  I can bring my baby into the office when I need to and get work done as she’s being passed around the office being doted on.

It’s a small firm, so there are not 47 layers of bureaucracy to pass through to get simple approval.  And if you need something, you ask for it, and it’s done.

I’ve had a variety of jobs in firms from just myself and one other attorney, to a large multinational firm with hundreds of attorneys all over the world.  And, honestly, I’ve found the best perk of them all - a job I enjoy, doing work I enjoy, working for people who are not self-absorbed pompous individuals and for staff that is respectful, helpful, and sincere.  After experiencing less than desirable work environments, I’ve gained an appreciated for what I consider the best perk of them all.

Flag this comment

Michael D. Sullivan
Aug 28, 2009 10:33 AM CST

We have Ben & Jerry’s come by once a month to serve ice cream with all the toppings.  We also have a “happiness committee” that periodically gives out cake to celebrate birthdays, distributes candy and other goodies, and organizes silly events for fun to keep us all sane.

Flag this comment

allison davis
Aug 28, 2009 10:38 AM CST

We have yoga classes every Thursday, which are tremendous—no excuse not to work out because you don’t have to go anywhere.  We do it right in the reception area.  We also have expresso machine, composting, and “donut” fridays that features fresh fruit.  We watch Giants games on the big flat screen, BYOB Fridays but best of all?  Bingo holiday lunches about 7 times a year where the staff can win days off…

What’s with the A-hole comments?  Get out of the biz you feel like that.  Glad I don’t work with those jerks.  We have a great working atmosphere.

Flag this comment

redheadjd
Aug 28, 2009 10:59 AM CST

In addition to being grateful for a paying job, we have some fun stuff.  I work In House for a beverage company where they pay for 50% of my gym membership, allow me to work from home one day a week and every two months or so our team meeting is off site at one of the wineries we own.  And dont’ even get me started on the joy of no billable hours….it’s a great place to work, but the perks and people make it outstanding.

Flag this comment

counselorm
Aug 28, 2009 2:30 PM CST

I was pretty happy with my set up until I read the comment about Ben & Jerry’s…  ;)

Actually, my perks include leaving the office at 5:30 and ignoring my blackberry on vacation.  That’s all I really care about—having a life.  Otherwise, I prefer that the money get put toward my paycheck.  :)

Flag this comment

Ken
Aug 28, 2009 4:28 PM CST

Some of the private sector “perks” being described here make me chuckle. 

I work for an allegedly “prestigeous” government enforcement agency that has made a lot of private regulatory practices quite wealthy (at their clients’ expense) over the years. While you’re enjoying all the client-subsidized freebies, keep in mind that a good day for some of us across the table from you is when we get to work and simultaneously discover the building has air conditioning, a working computer network, a functional photocopier somewhere on the floor, and a couple of new legal pads and pens in the supply room.  Unfortunately, good days are becoming less and less frequent… 

And don’t even ask about “luxuries” like water pitchers for the guests in the conference room.  Haven’t seen one of those around here since the 1990s…

Flag this comment

CEHobbs
Aug 29, 2009 9:27 AM CST

We have a full-sized refrigerator that is stocked with food for both breakfast and lunch, coffee and snacks.  We can work from home one day a week (trial schedule permitting) and provide gym memberships and a liberal flex time policy.

Then there’s the massage chair that really helps relieve the sore back that can come from spending long hours working on files.

Our team is really a great group.  I can’t imagine working someplace where the lawyers or the staff weren’t respected as people and given enough latitude to take care of both the firm’s business and their family.

Flag this comment

Mary Drummer
Aug 30, 2009 9:06 AM CST

Our firm is in a converted Victorian house.  My office is the old master’s suite, two rooms. The front room is my file room, the back room is a sun room with floor-to-ceiling windows all around.  I have a wall of orchids next to my computer where I work.

The firm pays for a birthday party for every attorney and all staff, including lunch and a treat of choice.  So we have at least one party a month.  Once or twice a year, we have Bacon Week, where every day people take turns bringing in a food item with bacon in it, from appetizers through desserts.  We allowed everyone to take a day off (in shifts, we do get some work done!) to go to our state fair.  And there is always free pop in the refrigerator, whatever kind our employees want.  We’ve cut corners on other things due to the economy, but we partners have made a conscious decision to keep the food-related perks!

Flag this comment

JME
Aug 31, 2009 5:15 PM CST

Well, being a solo - I figured I could do whatever I wanted, if it fit.  I like to shoot, used to shoot competitively in the USAF, and was also a rifle coach in a previous life, so presto - airgun range in the office!  When I need a break, I put holes in paper with lead pellets instead of a two-hole punch.

Flag this comment

pakistanlaw
Sep 4, 2009 4:10 AM CST

We have open to sky lobby and a water body full of fish. Not to forget golf putting holes!

Flag this comment