Partners at these firms dread coming to work and are unpleasant for the associates to work with. The partners don't spend much time with each other. The partners avoid conflict. Nor do the problems just continue to simmer. As when you put a lid on a simmering pot, the confused medley of grievances, anger and hurt feelings within tend to boil up and scald somebody.
Partners fail to clarify what they expect of one another.
One partner accepted deadbeat clients that resulted in low realization of fees. One partner rarely used associates, despite the presence of a strong associate group. Partners are not satisfied with the compensation system. They feel that the compensation system is unfair, that either their share of the income is too low, or their income relative to another partner is too low, or both. Partners fail to address retirement issues.