Law Office Management
Jun. 2, 2008
Pampering is Perennial
The economy stalls, but the pampering of attorneys persists.
Attorney perks that have grown increasingly popular over the past five years look like they're here to stay-despite the cooling economy. "The current generation of lawyers is unwilling to make as big a sacrifice on the work/balance front," says David Lat, editor of the Above The Law blog, which tracks perks at law firms. "They know there has to be a better way."
One of those better ways involves perks of increased parental benefits. Last December, for example, Latham & Watkins expanded its parental care leave policy to give birth mothers who are the primary caregivers up to 18 weeks off. At other firms, pampering includes in-house massages and manicures, as well as fitness programs and even plain old fun-events such as firm retreats and parties designed to boost collegiality.
Many perks, in fact, suggest a quid pro quo, such as a free dinner or ride home after a 14-hour workday. Yet such little things can make all the difference. The Los Angelesbased firm Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif launched a full-time concierge service last fall. A staff of five does everything from running errands to decorating an attorney's home for a holiday party. The service made such an impression with the staff that lateral hires have mentioned it as a factor in switching jobs, according to the firm.
And a law firm doesn't necessarily have to foot the bill. Companies such as Redwood Citybased PurpleTie (founded as a dry cleaning delivery business) offer services through a law firm but then charge the individuals for what they use. Last year, PurpleTie partnered with Sous Kitchen to deliver ingredients for a home-cooked meal (or what looks like one) that attorneys can put on the dinner table with minimal prep time at the end of a long day.
"The main reason we do it is, it's healthier than going out," says Rena Chng, an eighth-year associate with Mayer Brown in Palo Alto, which has offered PurpleTie's services to its staff since 2005. "And it's worthwhile knowing you can make a meal fairly quickly that is healthy."
Clearly, plenty of other California lawyers would agree. When Purple-Tie started in 2001, it began working with one firm-Heller Ehrman. Today, PurpleTie serves more than 30 Bay Area law firms in 45 locations, says CEO Kay Mandegarian, explaining, "Attorneys don't have 'free' time to run errands."
Alexandra Brown
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