Very toxic - Legal Assistant Pinsent Masons Employee Review

1.0
30 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Free tim tams. Subsidised classpass. EAP. Laywers are paid according to biglaw standards.

Cons

The Australian branch is small so everyone knows everyone. You will not hear honest feedback as people can trace it back to who spoke up. People quit constantly. All non-partners (from Busops, to lawyers, to business development) are unhappy. Partners do not invest in their teams. Cost cutting is extreme, many teams are underresourced and software breaks down constantly. Overtime is an expectation. There is a strong culture problem and lots of disrespect. People don't greet each other or speak to each other unless they're in the "In" group. HR is small and very friendly with the partners so they are not a safe group to go to. I have seen lawyers be fired over "personality fits" when they were billing and meeting work expectation. It is not enough to simply do the work here. Because there is not enough work it is hoarded and given to the favorites. Teams do not have enough work to give to paralegals or graduate lawyers as while the firm is a brand name the Australian branch is very small and does not operate like a brand name. Lawyers at 5 PQE are not trained properly and produce work as though they are at 2 PQE. Training is not adequate across all teams. It is a high-corporate environment with a very toxic culture problem.

Explore other reviews about Pinsent Masons

4.0
18 May 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great team to work with.

Cons

Nothing I can think of.

3.0
10 Oct 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people and good experience.

Cons

No work life balance and average benefits.

2
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All