Pros
Allure of the brand name however dwindling in stature due to the toxic environment
Cons
Where to start...the most toxic environment due to an old school boys club culture that rewards unethical behavior rather than addressing serious issues at the top. Directors with long tenures are treated poorly, regularly talked down to in public settings and retaliated against if they report the behavior. Most Directors don't want to be promoted to Partners due to the this behavior and things like getting in trouble for attending funerals and getting their hand slapped for reaching out to clients without being given "permission" in advance by a partner happen daily. Phrases like "there is no such thing as psychological safety" and "you have to kiss the ring" are common experiences. The partner who leads the Chicago office in particular has created a toxic bro culture and if you don't adhere to it he will retaliate against you. Meanwhile, Partners have created a culture where it is normal and often encouraged for Associates to go around Directors and undermine them on a regular basis due to the competitive environment that's been established. You are expected to be on 24/7 and if you dare to do something as simple as sleep and don't respond to a Partner at 2 a.m. (regarding nothing urgent), you will be reprimanded. This may have been acceptable in the 90s but it isn't the way the world works anymore and firms like this that refuse to change will eventually be left with subpar talent and dwindling client rosters.