Advancement in the firm is also designed to eliminate intra-firm competition. At present, a qualified associate becomes a principal approximately 5 years after joining the firm, and a senior principal approximately 7 years later. Thus, associates at the firm are paid at rates which are competitive with, and sometimes exceed, those paid by most other leading Los Angeles firms. The firm has a very liberal vacation policy. All attorneys are entitled to at least four weeks of fully paid vacation per year.
All attorneys participate in a substantial pension plan established by the firm.
The firm has a long-standing sabbatical program for attorneys who have become principals. Approximately once every five years, each attorney is entitled to a fully paid three-month sabbatical. Attorneys can do whatever they please during their sabbatical. Traditionally, most attorneys spend their sabbaticals traveling or teaching. Those attorneys who join the firm directly out of law school can plan on taking their first sabbatical approximately one year after becoming a principal.