Which firms have open office concept (no assigned offices) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have a few questions about how it works

[Anonymous User]

That sounds absolutely horrific.

[Anonymous User]

i know there are a few firms out there that have it...

[nealric]

Have a few questions about how it works

Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

[worklifewhat]

As I look around at how much shit I’ve acquired in the nearly four years that I’ve been at my firm, I can’t imagine why anyone would ever think that an open concept would be ideal for a law firm.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know the names of any firms that have this terrible open office concept?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know the names of any firms that have this terrible open office concept?

Latham & Paul Hastings in NY, White & Case I believe shifting that way also

[Anonymous User]

So like, can you hang stuff up in your office? Store things there overnight? I don't get it

[Anonymous User]

So like, can you hang stuff up in your office? Store things there overnight? I don't get it

These firms usually have locker rooms for you to change into your work uniform and store your essentials (phone/key/wallet, etc).

[Anonymous User]

So like, can you hang stuff up in your office? Store things there overnight? I don't get it

These firms usually have locker rooms for you to change into your work uniform and store your essentials (phone/key/wallet, etc).

is this serious? What if I want to decorate my space? Family pictures etc?

[Anonymous User]

So like, can you hang stuff up in your office? Store things there overnight? I don't get it

These firms usually have locker rooms for you to change into your work uniform and store your essentials (phone/key/wallet, etc).

is this serious? What if I want to decorate my space? Family pictures etc?

What office? You and the other associates gather a couple times a year to decorate the communal space

[Anonymous User]

From what I’ve heard, some firms are considering moving to the hoteling scheme that the accounting firms use. Then the firms have to pay less $$$ for empty offices and it’s like hunger games when you look for seats.

[Anonymous User]

White & Case NY has it for our operations and marketing type friends plus the chair. Definitely will not be remodeling the new office anytime soon to make anyone else do it.

[nealric]

From what I’ve heard, some firms are considering moving to the hoteling scheme that the accounting firms use. Then the firms have to pay less $$$ for empty offices and it’s like hunger games when you look for seats.

Yeah, everyone I know who works for a Big4 firm that uses that system hates it with a passion. Some even do it for partners, and they hate it too.

[JHP]

Cooley NY is doing it and it's horrendous.

Also horrendous: firms who have transparent staircases or stairs w/huge gaps between steps--the ladies know why.

[totesTheGoat]

Have a few questions about how it works

Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

This. Ask me how I know.

[Wild Card]

Cooley NY is doing it and it's horrendous.

Also horrendous: firms who have transparent staircases or stairs w/huge gaps between steps--the ladies know why.

180.

What's about as bad as open plan are glass cubicles, which inspire a different level of existential dread. Simpson has these.

[NDOMUKONGGGG]

Hey if any of you actually currently work in an open office (or have) could you PM me? Just have a few questions about how it works.

[NDOMUKONGGGG]

^^ accidental anon, obviously

[totesTheGoat]

Hey if any of you actually currently work in an open office (or have) could you PM me? Just have a few questions about how it works.

Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

Also, nobody is able to PM you, so you may as well ask on this thread.

[NDOMUKONGGGG]

Oh yeah, thanks. I just want to know if I can store stuff overnight there? Like if I have papers spread out and shit do I have to clean up? What if I want to hang a picture of my kid up? Decorate my office?

[totesTheGoat]

First, not every open office is the same. Some are doing the hotelling model (nothing allowed on the desk, nowhere to put a picture).

Our open office model gives us assigned 6'x3' desks in 6x2 blocks with 12" separators on the sides and a 24" tackboard divider on the back of the desk. My desk is a cluttered mess of loose leaf tea, business cards, paper notes, my briefcase, mugs and cups, etc. I hang my lunchbox from the arm of my chair because there's no other convenient place for it. I've been meaning to bring a picture of my family in.

We also have lockers (maybe 2'x2'x2'), but I use mine for storing extra cutlery for when I host department breakfasts every couple weeks. Some stick their purses in there or their briefcases. I find it rather inconvenient to store anything that gets used in there. There's a coatrack at the end of the row of desks for rainy days like today.

The ambiance is nice enough. I sit 15 feet from a window, so there's plenty of natural light. The ceiling is high and the walls are bright, so it doesn't feel claustrophobic despite there being 5 people nearly within arm's reach. They pump in white noise so that conversations don't carry as much and so that the clicks and taps of keyboards don't drive everybody nuts. Most people put headphones on all day.

Most of us take non-confidential calls at our desks, and it's really not a bother. There are some folks who are a bit loud, but the ambient noise dampens that issue. Sometimes, if there are groups of people having conversations, the ambient noise is too loud to hear one's phone call properly, but some of that may be that my hearing isn't the best.

[Anonymous User]

That sucks. Sounds like the shittiness of Silicon-valley inspired open-office concepts with none of the perks (free meals, climbing walls, big couches).

[NDOMUKONGGGG]

First, not every open office is the same. Some are doing the hotelling model (nothing allowed on the desk, nowhere to put a picture).

Our open office model gives us assigned 6'x3' desks in 6x2 blocks with 12" separators on the sides and a 24" tackboard divider on the back of the desk. My desk is a cluttered mess of loose leaf tea, business cards, paper notes, my briefcase, mugs and cups, etc. I hang my lunchbox from the arm of my chair because there's no other convenient place for it. I've been meaning to bring a picture of my family in.

We also have lockers (maybe 2'x2'x2'), but I use mine for storing extra cutlery for when I host department breakfasts every couple weeks. Some stick their purses in there or their briefcases. I find it rather inconvenient to store anything that gets used in there. There's a coatrack at the end of the row of desks for rainy days like today.

The ambiance is nice enough. I sit 15 feet from a window, so there's plenty of natural light. The ceiling is high and the walls are bright, so it doesn't feel claustrophobic despite there being 5 people nearly within arm's reach. They pump in white noise so that conversations don't carry as much and so that the clicks and taps of keyboards don't drive everybody nuts. Most people put headphones on all day.

Most of us take non-confidential calls at our desks, and it's really not a bother. There are some folks who are a bit loud, but the ambient noise dampens that issue. Sometimes, if there are groups of people having conversations, the ambient noise is too loud to hear one's phone call properly, but some of that may be that my hearing isn't the best.

ugg that sounds... like it would take some getting used to. Is this an NYC biglaw firm you're talking about?

[totesTheGoat]

Is this an NYC biglaw firm you're talking about?

No, I'm in-house at a silicon valley company.