Biglaw, john quinn

Work Dries Up At Quinn Emanuel, And Its Leader's Solution Is For Attorneys To 'Do Some Fun Stuff'

Don't worry, be happy -- and most importantly, be thankful that your firm's leader is this awesome, because there are few like him in the business of Biglaw.

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As we’ve mentioned in the past, litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel is known for its quirkiness. Sure, the firm makes money hand over fist, but the quality of life that Quinn Emanuel offers to its associates is bar none one of the best in the business. From the firm’s signature flip-flops to its new initiative that allows attorneys to practice anywhere in the world for a short stint, Quinn Emanuel is one of the coolest firms out there.

This is definitely a firm that likes to have fun, and John B. Quinn, its fearless leader, wants to keep all of his attorneys happy. But happiness in Biglaw isn’t just about fun — sometimes it’s about true transparency about the inner workings and health of the firm that comes from the very top of the food chain.

Despite their robust bonuses, word on the street is that attorneys have been worried about Quinn Emanuel’s business. From what we’ve heard, it seems that things have been unusually slow for the obscenely profitable firm lately. Attorneys are concerned about what’s going to happen now that Quinn Emanuel’s seemingly never-ending well of litigation has run a bit dry.

John Quinn wasn’t going to just sit around and allow his colleagues to fear for the firm’s future. Instead, he decided to email all attorneys last night to tell them to take a chill pill. He explained that several “significant cases” had come to their conclusion, and that for a time, “things [would] likely not be as busy as they usually are.”

What was his advice? Here’s an excerpt from the email he sent last night:

Enjoy it while it lasts. … In the meantime, do some fun stuff. Sign up for the Quinn Emanuel Exchange. Or the Quinn Emanuel Global Experience. Train for the hike. Or just take an afternoon off and go see one of these exhibitions (a personal choice of what I would go see if I had the time).

That’s right, the man in charge of one of the most powerful firms in the country, if not the world, just told all of his attorneys to go out and have some fun during this unusual period of slowness, and even provided a list of activities for his employees to go out and do. That’s freaking refreshing. How many other Biglaw partners would dare to do such a thing? Lawyers are generally pleased:

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We’re always told to enjoy the slow times while they last from senior associates and whatnot, but it’s pretty sweet to get the same message from JBQ himself.

Don’t worry, be happy — and most importantly, be thankful that your firm’s leader is this awesome, because there are few like him in the business of Biglaw.

(If you’re interested, the full memo from John Quinn is available on the next page.)

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