Biglaw, Technology

Midlevel Biglaw Associates Can't Believe How Bad The Technology Is At Their Firms

It's not like these firms can't afford to make the fixes needed....

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Businessman burying his head uner a laptop asking for helpThe American Lawyer recently revealed its 2023 midlevel survey, which showed us that while midlevels are frustrated with the hit that firm culture has taken amid office attendance mandates, they’re absolutely infuriated by their firms’ technical prowess — or should we say, the lack thereof.

As part of Am Law’s annual midlevel survey, associates were asked to rank their firms on all things tech, and boy oh boy, are they pissed. How mad are they? As noted by Am Law, lawyers are finding it “difficult to square their firms’ record profits of late with slow computers, outdated software and clunky document management systems.” Here’s more:

Only 62% of associates said their firms offered technology training, down from 67% in 2022. Associates’ perception of firm-provided technology and training also deteriorated slightly, and associates were less likely to endorse the firm’s efficient use of technology on behalf of clients. …

As usual, a majority of associates’ technology complaints came from a cluster of law firms, and some of the world’s richest firms continue to field the same complaints year after year.

Which firms are making midlevels gripe the most about their tech setups? That would be Skadden (“The firm desperately needs to upgrade its tech,” said one associate, while another said, “I cannot believe how outdated Skadden’s tech is.”); WilmerHale (where associates claim the firm’s laptops are not up to par — “It would be much appreciated to receive computers that do not crash weekly,” said one associate); Alston & Bird (midlevels here are not happy with their laptops); Dechert (another laptop loser, where one associate said, “We have too many (IT and technology) issues for a big firm and that impedes our efficiency.”); and Morrison & Foerster (no one is a fan of any aspect of the tech at this firm, where one associate said, “The technology is the worst thing about MoFo.”).

Enough about the firms with tech that’s making midlevel associates angry — let’s get to the rankings. Which firms landed on top when it comes to their technology? Here are the top 10, courtesy of Am Law:

  1. O’Melveny & Myers
  2. McDermott Will & Emery
  3. Morgan Lewis
  4. Orrick
  5. Blank Rome
  6. Baker & Hostetler
  7. Manatt Phelps & Phillips
  8. Snell & Wilmer
  9. Ropes & Gray
  10. Kirkland & Ellis

Click here to see the full list.

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Congratulations to all the firms that earned good grades on this list! Hopefully Biglaw firms that received low ratings will figure out a way provide the tech upgrades their midlevel associates need.

Did You Try Turning It Off and Back On Again? Midlevels Rank Their Firms on Tech [American Lawyer]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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