Perkins Coie, DLA Piper, Fried Frank, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Other Big Law Firms Offer Innovative Perks to Keep Associates Happy

With attorney turnover at record heights, the New York Times recently reported that large law firms are rolling out a smorgasbord of innovative perks to keep associates happy and reduce the stress of long hours.

A common perk is the concierge service, which offers the services of a personal valet to pick up the dry cleaning, developed film, or theater and sports tickets; take the car to a mechanic; arrange for flower delivery; and make travel arrangements.

Other notable innovative perks include:

• Milkshakes and candied applies left on lawyers' desks - Perkins Coie (as explained by Lori Anger, client relations manager at Perkins Coie, "it’s random acts of kindness. We have pretty strict hours, so it’s a nice way to surprise people.")
• Mortgage guarantees up to $100,000 for associates who have been with the firm for at least 6 months- Sullivan & Cromwell
• Reimbursements of up to $2,000 when buying a hybrid car - DLA Piper (as DLA Piper spokesman Jason Costa explained, "In our business, people are our main asset so our benefits are designed to keep people happy and healthy.")
• Personal coaching and psychotherapy - Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (explained Paula Zirinsky, a spokeswoman for Fried Frank, "We want employees to be successful in their personal as well as their work lives.")
• On-site tailoring and reimbursements to employees who buy a Nissan or General Motors vehicle - Fulbright & Jaworski
• Yoga classes - O’Melveny & Myers
• Nap rooms with a reclining chair, sofa and travel alarm clock - Kilpatrick Stockton

Kudos to all these firms for getting creative about keeping associates happy. With differences in annual salaries and bonuses at the larger law firms being minimal, it is creative "lifestyle" benefits that differentiates law firms in the minds of law students and potential laterals. And the good press in leading newspapers like The New York Times certainly doesn't hurt either.