Insiders suggest that prospective Deweyites take advantage of this second round to meet with the people you will be working with. That contact opines that the associates are generally very open and forthcoming with their descriptions of the work environment and what is expected of you. There is little cutthroat competition or backstabbing. For the most part, Dewey insiders tell us that hours can be good or bad, but mostly bad. Another concurs in noting that it s feast or famine.
Insiders also warn against using billable targets as a indicator of hours.
Although our bonus level is set at 2,000 hours, one associate reveals, many more hours are expected of associates at least 200 a month, or 2,400 a year. Indeed, a particularly steely corporate colleague notes billing 2,400 hours last fiscal year. But I did not find the pressure of work and time commitments to be too insufferable. Others aren t so cool-headed. Don t believe the hype, advises one, it s a sweatshop just like the rest of them.