Biglaw Perk Watch: Winston & Strawn to 18 Weeks — and iPhones
Two pieces of good news from Winston & Strawn. First, like many other leading law firms, they’ve raised their maternity leave to 18 weeks (from 12 weeks). To see where your firm stands, check out our maternity leave table, continuously updated by surveys guru Justin Bernold.
Second, for all of you iPhone-atics out there:
You guys might be interested in this little tidbit. Beginning August 1st (provided there are no issues with compatibility or supply), Winston & Strawn will include the iPhone as part of its supported mobile devices. Last summer, Winston announced it would start purchasing BlackBerry devices for attorneys on a 2 year replacement cycle (prior to that time, attorneys were required to purchase their own devices but the firm reimbursed for data charges).As noted in the announcement below, the Apple iPhone will now be among the supported devices, and the firm is even willing to purchase it for eligible attorneys (i.e., if you are not subject to a 2 year contract). For those attorneys who want the 16GB model, the firm will pay the first $200 (representing the cost for the 8GB model) and charge back the $100 additional cost to the attorney’s personal account.
Check out the full announcement — plus a handy chart comparing the iPhone with the Blackberry 8100, Blackberry 8800, and Blackberry 8830 — after the jump.
The memo appears below. To access the iPhone / Blackberry comparison chart, a Microsoft Word document, click on the link below:
iPhone and Blackberry Comparison.doc
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP — MEMORANDUM — iPHONE ADDED TO MOBILE DEVICE PROGRAM
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 14:33
To: Attorney All FIRM
Subject: We Are Pleased To Announce….
We are pleased to announce that we will be adding the iPhone as a selection in our mobile device program (attached is a recommended list of the devices offered). Apple will be releasing a new 3G model this month which will allow us to wirelessly synchronize your Winston email, calendar, contacts and business podcasts to the device. Our goal, barring major compatibility and supply chain issues, is to add the iPhone to our Mobile Device Program on August 1st. If you are eligible for a new hardware upgrade (as we replace hardware on a 2 year lifecycle program) this device will be offered as part of our replacement program. Below are responses to some standard questions you may have. If you require additional information, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you!
What iPhone will the firm provide?
The firm will provide the 8GB model. If you want to purchase the 16GB model, you may pay the additional cost for the upgrade.
What kind of support can I expect from Winston for the iPhone?
The Information Technology Department will provide support for Winston email, calendar, contacts, and firm podcasts on all iPhone models. We will not be supporting personal music, videos, pictures and podcasts.
What wireless carrier supports the iPhone?
AT&T has an exclusive contract arrangement with Apple for 5 years. Currently AT&T is the only service provider. If you are considering moving to the iPhone, please ensure that AT&T has the appropriate coverage you require.
What cost will the firm cover for monthly data service?
The firm will cover the cost of the standard data rates we pay with our other carriers (Verizon and T-Mobile). Data rates are capped at $50.00 per month. If you exceed that amount (download movies, iTunes, etc.) those costs will be yours directly.
If I have a current Blackberry, can I switch to the iPhone?
Our mobile devices are on a 2 year hardware lifecycle. If you are eligible for a hardware replacement, then you may switch to AT&T and the iPhone. If you are not eligible for a hardware upgrade, you may purchase the device on your own.
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First!
First!
does 18 weeks mean that your billable hour requirements are reduced by 18 weeks (so instead of 2000 hrs/year, approximately 1300 hrs)?
Winston also gave 10 weeks of paternity leave to non-primary caregivers.
have any other firms begun allowing iPhone use?
Please keep posting these. My firm has not matched, and word is that management has decided not to. I hope that if enough of our peer firms match the 18 weeks, it will force our management committee to do the same.
"does 18 weeks mean that your billable hour requirements are reduced by 18 weeks (so instead of 2000 hrs/year, approximately 1300 hrs)?"
It means that you get paid for 18 weeks when you don't have to work. In addition, moms get 6 weeks unpaid leave after the 18 weeks.
Also, Winston's minimum hours are 1950, not 2000.
I thought they were merging with Heller Ehrman.
iphone may be cool but at&t isnt. verizon service is a must!
They may be above the law, but are they above the product placement? :)
I kid because I love.
Having had both the I prefer the BB for email, the iphone is more for its non-work features.
/fat fingers.
I would imagine there's no expectation that you'll hit your billables for the year, and consequently no expectation you'll get a bonus. Just be happy with the many many paid weeks to be at home with the family.
Why is this even on here, who cares?
Are you all retarded? Firms prorate the billable hours requirement and the bonus when you take maternity leave. This is so obvious noone bothers to mention it.
Winston used to require attorneys to buy their own Blackberries? That is SO TTT. It's bad enough we're chained to the office, but they had to pay for their own chain.
I just wouldn't buy one (and probably lose my job).
boo hoo...with the 160k associates are making, you can afford to buy ur own darn iphone. i'm just saying.
1:11- a friend working for Jones Day in California was under the same requirement: buy your own blackberry if you want one.
Where's the queer who always starts his post with "Guys in my high school used to..." and then put the subject line of the post, followed by "It was no big deal?" I'm surprised he's not all over this one.
Winston and Strawn to Wow Bao.
Guys at my high school used to make posts about queers who always start their posts with "Guys in my high school used to..." and then put the subject line of the post, followed by "It was no big deal" all the time. It was no big deal.
Seems weird that the old policy was you had to pay for your own blackberries but presumably you were required to carry one. I guess firms really vary wildly on their tech policies.
1:26, what are you, an insecure high school student in the '90s?
1:20, the point is, no one WANTS a Blackberry. No one wants partners to be able to email them with work, or even questions, at night or on the weekends. Having a Blackberry sucks, and that's why it's TTT for firms to make associate's buy their own. It's rubbing salt in the wound.
1:08,
False, but thanks for playing. Not all firms prorate your bonus.
um, 2:21, you are kind of retarded.
Not prorating one's bonus after taking maternity leave is a GOOD thing. The point was that that maternity leave does not reduce one's chances of getting a bonus because the hours are prorated. That's the universal standard. If some firms decide to exceed that standard, great.
Does anyone know whether parents-to-be are required to agree to come back for a certain period of time (like a year) after taking 18 (or 6) weeks paid leave? Just curious.
2:05 is a douche bag and a friend of the idiot who posted at 1:38.
1:18, it's not about paying for the iPhone. Its about it being supported, so that you don't have to carry an iPhone and a BB.