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Partner Emeritus, Meet Biff—You Could Learn Something

Thursday, September 3, 2009 5:39 PM - By Elie Mystal

Byrd Biff Marshall Jr.JPGFinally, we have a law firm partner who has looked in the face of the so-called “hybrid tough love” strategy, and found it wanting. His name is Byrd “Biff” Marshall Jr., and he is the president of GrayRobinson — an Am Law 200 firm that is giving associate raises in the middle of the recession. The Daily Business Review reports:

As other major law firms order layoffs and pay cuts, GrayRobinson is giving an average 8 percent raise to its associates.

Pay raises were as high as 15 percent Tuesday, and 90 percent of associates received raises, said law firm president Byrd “Biff” Marshall Jr. The merit-based increases were decided on an individual basis.

All support staffers at the Orlando-based firm also are getting higher pay, he said. The raises were announced at a firm retreat last weekend.

A friend of mine translated this news into language Partner Emeritus can understand:

Partner Maximus Above the Law 2.JPGWhile not a peer firm, GrayRobinson has shrugged off the recession caused by my good pal Alan Greenspan. Instead of trashing the moral and economic vitality of its employees, the firm has taken bold action to retain its best people. The actions of Mr. Marshall remind me of my trailblazing days. Back then, firms did not treat their future partners and rainmakers as interchangeable cogs to be used and then discarded. And the entire firm was better for it.

But then America elected as President a senile old man — based solely on his credentials as a minor character actor. He made everybody believe that the wealthy individuals like myself would allow some of our hard-earned money to “trickle down” to lower earning Americans. Fools! Luckily my firm understood the dangers of obscene income inequality and unchecked corporate greed. We shared the wealth not out of charity, but because it made smart business sense. Now, many non-peer institutions are paying for their lack of vision in the ruined careers of their employees and the dissolution of their organizations.

I am not happy that I will have to temporarily delay my planned upgrades to my second yacht. And honestly if Muffy gives me any more back-talk about forgoing her shopping spree in Milan, I’ll have to cashier her and promote wife number four. But my commitment to the long term success of my firm trumps such petty personal concerns. Young attorneys should not be treated as Rick’s Cabaret dancers. They should be treated as our future.

— Partner Maximus

Thanks, PM.

After the jump, more from GrayRobinson.

In fairness, GrayRobinson wasn’t paying as much as some of the big boys to begin with:

The firm, which ranked fifth on the Review 100 list of the largest firms in Florida, has about 235 lawyers in 10 offices around state, including in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and Tallahassee. Associate starting salaries at the firm are $95,000 to $105,000 depending on the office. Large firms have starting salaries in South Florida ranging from $120,000 to $160,000.

Still, the firm didn’t have to raise salaries. In this market, associates are so beaten down they will accept almost anything to keep themselves employed. But rewarding good people in the face of the recession might make employees loyal to the firm once the good times return.

And prudent management should be rewarded:

When asked how his firm was able to provide raises while other firms are suffering, Marshall touted his firm’s focus on litigation and hiring restraint in the boom years. He said the firm did not over hire during the good times and did not give big raises in recent years. Billing rates for associates also were kept at a reasonable level, so it did not drive away clients.

If you are looking to work in Florida, you might want to send a resume into GrayRobinson. At least they will look at you as a potential valuable asset, instead of an annoying drain on profits.

GrayRobinson doling out 8 percent raises [Daily Business Review]

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Posted in: Associate Salaries, Biglaw, Partner Profits

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