Hedrick Gardner reviews about "people"

Not downtown but near metro

Although you'll get great litigation experience early on, it comes at a cost... Hedrick has a reputation for their lack of retention. Ask any recruiter. Associates simply do not stick around. They likely do not stick around for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The pay is incredibly subpar for the amount of hours they expect you to work. They expect you to bill like you're in big law, but then pay you like you're working for legal aid... (2) The culture is incredibly toxic! Many of the partners talk the talk, but they do not walk the walk. They like to "pride themselves" on having a collaborative culture where people like to be there, but in reality, no one likes it there, and the culture is not collaborative! I recount numerous instances where Partners yelled and cursed at associates for the most irrational reasons, spoke to associates with condescending tones, and got mad when associates asked questions. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! (3) The partners are overly paranoid in an attempt to protect their bottom line. This is likely a problem with a lot of insurance defense firms. Their clients don't like to pay their bills. That frustration and all that it brings, trickles down into the Partner's relationship with the associates. They will micro-manage the hell out of you! They will get angry if you bill too much, but will also get angry if you bill too little. If the client has an issue with their bill, the Partner will send the client to you—the first, second, or third year associate, as if you know what they hell you're doing! (4) Their bonus incentive is not very incentivizing. They expect you to work an additional 150 per year just to qualify for a $2,000 bonus. Not only does that drastically lower your hourly wage, but it works out to be $13.33 per hour for those additional 150 hours. It's definitely not worth it, particularly given the toxic culture of the firm. ***Note, they'll say you don't have to shoot for this bonus if you don't want it, but in actuality, if you don't shoot for it, you're of no value to them. Don't buy into their lies! (5) There is little consistency in what you're being told. The partners do not work well together and they will constantly provide you with conflicting information. In some instances, you'll be commanded to always perform a certain task in a certain way no matter who you complete the task for. That becomes an issue when multiple partners give you the same demanding command but it conflicts with the prior command. If you address the discrepancies, they'll just double-down and get nasty with you for raising the issue. (6) The partners treat their own employees like they treat Plaintiff's. Hedrick is an insurance defense firm. The partners are used to being cold and ruthless. They do not care about the Plaintiff or if there's any merit to the Plaintiff's claim. Their philosophy is simple: deny, deny, deny, and litigate. That pessimistic mindset surely affects the way they speak to and treat their associates.

Lack of training. Poor communication

Low pay and little room to grow

the pay could be better

Can't think of any cons.