Biglaw Reversed Perk Watch: No More Tech Stipend at Weil
For Biglaw technophiles, one of the nicest firm perks is the technology stipend: a couple of thousand dollars to lavish on a new shiny toy. With the BlackBerry Curve 8900 debuting to rave reviews, and rumors in the tech world of a new iPhone on the horizon, there are lots of toys to get worked up about these days.
Alas, associates at Weil, Gotshal & Manges will not be taking part in the tech spending frenzy. One associate reports that their stipend fell victim to economic pressures last week:
They eliminated our $2K tech stipend for first and second years ($4K for the first two years). It was a bit strange, though, because anyone who had used their $2K before today gets reimbursed. So if you bought a laptop yesterday, you get a laptop. Otherwise, no laptop for you!
Congratulations to all Weil associates who placed their laptop orders in the first two weeks of January.
Tech toys are not the only perk being reversed. The associate tells us that the partner mentoring budget was cut as well.
What’s the latest perk erosion at your firm? Feel free to discuss in the comments or to send us a tip.
(40) Comments
Comments
Isn't Weil rolling in the Bankruptcy money? What gives?
p.s. First and my post was on topic! God I hate myself for doing that.
-1
And that is why Weil will still be around when other BigLaw drops...they are raking in bankruptcy cash but they are still being responsible with their budgeting...I expect them to emerge and weather the economic storm.
Uh oh. The mighty are falling...or continuing to fall.
Do you get to keep your cool 17" laptop with 1 GIG NVIDIA video card and 4 GIGS RAM for Vista and rocking and rolling on the latest shooter when you're fired (ahem, laid off)?
If not, then what's the point? Stick to boring 14" Dell Vostros with Intel Graphics Accelerators. Excel will be the hardest program you can task this laptop with.
do summer associates get a blackberry?
*nervously anticipates hours spent playing brickbreaker in my office*
-nervous T-10 1L
soon to be nervous 1L sa
Weil is still the envy of many law firms. I would leave my firm for Weil--Weil, are you hiring?
Does a blackberry come out of the tech stipend? Or does the firm provide that separately? And if not, are associates generally required to have them? Will Weil make new associates buy their Blackberry's out of pocket?
7: no, we're not. we've been firing staff, though.
The blackberry does not come out of the tech stipend. you could use it to get the newest model, though
5
If you're playing DOOM during office hours, my magic 8-ball says that you won't be employed for much longer. Especially if you have the volume cranked up high; the walls are mighty thin. Wonder what your managing partner will think when he walks by your office?
"We have to find you an opportunity to do something else."
This is interesting. What does this kind of stipend usually cover -- I'm assuming there's lists of "acceptable" products.
My firm just gives us a blackberry (or something similar) and we upgrade every year or so.
Yo nervous- It depends. When I summered at GT some time back- the NYC associates got one and most others did not. Atleast we did not. Not having one had serious advantages though.
I am not sure why I am taking your comment seriously enough to reply- but anyways.
I don't get it. Why do you need a $4k tech stipend for the first two years? Do Weil associates use desktop computers? I don't need to buy a laptop -- I just take my firm laptop home, like everyone else.
I wish my firm bought my blackberry, but I can afford $300. They pay the monthly fees, so that's all I care about.
Why would a SA need a blackberry? Enjoy your last free summer.
Kash--how about spelling the name of the firm correctly?
Should I spend my tech stipend on an XBOX 360 or a Playstation 3? I like Halo, but the blu-ray player would be nice. I'm also a big fan of Wii Bowling....
do other firms have similar programs?
who keeps the technology if/when you depart the firm? is this perk subject to personal income tax?
Would work done on these laptops for other ventures/personal pursuits be considered the property of the firm or the individual?
My stipend = Coke on a Monday
Ropes and Gray has a tech stipend too, although its not as generous as this was. $1,850 over 3 years. 100% reimbursement on blackberries (this is only if you want to replace the one the firm gives you) and 50% reimbursement on all other tech. Its great for buying things like widescreen monitors and printers for your home office.
Skadden continues to lead the way - tech stipend of 2K in your first year and 1K every year thereafter.
The rest of you are peasants in Skadden's world.
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
11 - More like...
"Hang on, let me log on and let's go frag some n00bs."
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Does anybody know what kind of tech perks Debevoise associates get?
30 -- I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that it's not enough. The Enter button must be stuck on his cheap laptop.
30-
Debevoise associates get 2K every 2 years as a technology stipend. Associates get to keep the product even if they leave the firm.
Associates are given blackberries, but the cost is not taken out of their stipends.
Help us Obama Wan Kanobi. You're our only hope!
--Princess Leia'd Off
15 -- Why do Summers need Blackberrys?!? Are you a fool?
How else are Summers supposed to coordinate lunches, dinners, parties, after-party drinks, check in to see if they won tickets to events, and so forth?
This can NOT be accomplished without a Blackberry. What kind of a Summer do you expect them to have, you barbarian!!!
Weil associates could use the tech stipend for a variety of things -- pretty much anything really -- so long as it was arguably a work-related item. For example, an associate could get a separate computer for home, peripherals for use at home or at work, etc.
Weil pays for associates' blackberries.
Yes, the amount used of the stipend was taxable income -- but still a good deal.
I understand why they cut it, but it was a good investment that allowed their junior associates to be even more productive.
Thanks 32. Now could you repost that at least 15 more times so no one forgets?
Together now: "Debevoise associates get 2K..."
--30
Cahill Gordon has a stipend
Debevoise and Weil should get together and suck each other off. Then again, probably would never happen as they are too busy sucking themselves off. No other firms are so self-loving. Wait a sec -- Willkie should probably get in on this action...
Comment 28 is offensive. Please refrain from slang usage.
ATL = Blog for legal PROFESSIONALS
Shameful
STOP ADVERTISING THIS NEGATIVITY...YOU ARE GIVING THE FIRMS IDEAS. YOU ARE NORMALIZING THE COST CUTTING AND SCREWING US. POST A LIST OF FIRMS THAT RETAIN THEIR BENEFITS AND RETAIN THIER RAISES!!!!!!!!