The email read:
Our apologies. WWL appears to have been steered wrong on that last post. We hereby retract our former post. We hope this won't interfere with our invitation to cruise Lake Mead with Mr. Alverson this weekend. We assume our invite is in the mail."This is too funny. If you want a good laugh, look at Wild Wild Law Blog.
Bruce's new 10 year old little fishing boat that he recently bought on Craig's
list for $2,800 has now become a yacht. The mole gets better every day."
Our prior post [now retracted]:
WWL received another tip from Alverson Taylor [does the drama ever stop over there?]:Seems that majority shareholder of Alverson Taylor, Bruce Alverson, just ordered himself up a new
Way to pick up spirits, Mr. Alverson. When employees are feeling down about how their firm is struggling, and how their raises were cut, health insurance benefits drastically cut and 401k contributions halted, nothing makes them feel better than knowing the top name on the letterhead is able to treat himself.
Love. It. This is America folks - if you don't like it, steal his clients and buy your own damn yacht. Enjoy the high seas Bruce!
ReplyDeleteHe should name it the "S.S. I Don't Give A Sh**"
ReplyDeleteWhew! Times are rough at Alverson. Can't afford to pay for employees health benefits, raises, 401(k)'s, and now Bruce had to buy a smaller yacht than he originally planned. This really puts a human face on the suffering brought about by the recession.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for round 2 of Mole vs. Shill!
ReplyDeleteCapitalism and market forces, y'all. The market has pushed down the price of an Associate, and probably of a Yacht, as well. I might have kept this one on the "DL," Bruce.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon @ 6:10pm - Did Alverson Taylor actually say they "Can't afford to..." do what you say? Or did they say that it is not prudent in today's economy to...?
ReplyDeletePeople - you can complain all you want about how someone else's law firm is managed, but if his client's didn't like it, or his employee's don't like it, they can vote with their pocketbook and feet, respectively.
In other news... can anyone confirm layoffs at SDW?
ReplyDelete(The forums are broken?)
@ 8:28 am
ReplyDeleteThe forums are disabled. We couldn't get the robo-spammers to stop posting into the forums and the only way to block them was to require people to register with the website and people seem to like their annonymity.
RIP forums.
Are ATMS associates busy? Being they are paid by the billable hour, the worst thing that could happen to them is to run out of work. Everything else might suck a bit and make them feel "un-appreciated," but in this economy I would be excited to be busy, be billing, and (therefore) feel a little secure. Maybe I'd be a little mad to see a Partner lining his pockets (more than usual) while I bust my hump for less compensation, but if Bruce is buying Yachts, at least I wouldn't worry about my check bouncing.
ReplyDeleteI know of at least one litigator who was laid off at Santoro Driggs...I think from Tony Zmaila's group
ReplyDeleteThe Santoro Driggs lay off question isn't really a story.
ReplyDeleteWe've got confirmation that there was only one layoff at SDW--a litigation associate.
SDW cited a lack of work when letting the associate go.
We will keep an eye out to see if it does become a story (i.e. more layoffs)
If Bruce Alverson had not built a firm and profited off it, none of the employees would even have jobs right now. Who cares what he buys.
ReplyDeleteAlverson's secretary sent the following e-mail to all the staff at ATMS:
ReplyDelete"This is too funny. If you want a good laugh, look at Wild Wild Law Blog. Bruce's new 10 year old little fishing boat that he recently bought on Craig's list for $2,800 has now become a yacht. The mole gets better every day."
Seems like the mole gets more pathetic every day.
@12:14 pm
ReplyDeleteBased on Mr. Alverson's secretary's email. We are hereby retracting the post.
Any chance you would also like to correct the phrase "drastically cutting salary" that you just used? It is also incorrect.
ReplyDeleteNice damage control - Secretary.
ReplyDeletelong live the mole!
ReplyDelete@ 1:10 PM
ReplyDeleteChanges made. Poorly phrased. We meant drastically cutting insurance benefits and eliminating raises.
The yacht is also now more appropriately referred to as a boat.
Would either the Secretary or other pro-Alverson Taylor voices care to chime in on whether new employees were hired under the verbal promise of raises every 6 months for 2 years?
In light of the freeze on raises, we have been trying to get an official comment on the question of promised raises from ATMS, but can't get a return email.
I don't care if it's a boat or a yacht. I am tired of listening to Alverson Taylor employees whine.
ReplyDeleteBruce Alverson is a great litigator and successful businessman. If you don't like what he's paying or offering you, go out and start your own firm.
And, no I'm not an Alverson Taylor employee or partner. I'm a Plaintiff's attorney who started in a medium-sized Vegas firm. I didn't like it, so I left.
@ 1:32 P.M.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering a change similar to yours and would love some advice.
@ 1:49 pm
ReplyDeleteSure.
1) develop a good business model. What type of law will you practice: family law/criminal defense can give you a steady stream of clients, so can personal injury. If you work at a big firm, think about what type of law you know. Have they trained you in insurance defense? If so, can you contact the insurance client, undercut your current firm's rate and get the client to move with you? Starting with an already developed client base is a nice feeling. And its pretty easy to undercut the rates of a firm like Alverson Taylor.
2) Market the hell out of yourself. Email/call/go out to lunch with every attorney and businessperson you know and let them know you are starting your own practice.
Also, develop a marketing strategy for your area of practice. Craigslist, internet ads, business journals, google specific ads are all good ways of getting your name out there.
3) make a budget and save some money so you have a little cushion while developing clients
4) if you like your secretary or paralegal, ask them to join you in a month or two after you are established. Good support staff is crucial
5) take referrals from the state bar from any area you are even slightly comfortable handling.
6) close your eyes and leap
@2:09
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, thank you.
I'm hella going out on the yacht with Bruce this weekend! Gonna get some tunes pumping and catch some rays.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
A Loyal ATM&S Employee
I hope Bruce takes the yacht out for a three-hour tour.
ReplyDeleteThis latest development is horrible news. I would rather work in a region where Partners were making crazy cash and hosing associates while buying rediculous items than a region where partners could only afford fishing dingies!
ReplyDeleteI hope he is sleeping on a pile of money.
Dammit Bruce! I will find a reason to hate you. Some how, some way!
ReplyDeleteAny attorney who has a complaint about how they're treated should quit and go start your own firm in this bad economy. That would make the hundred people in line for your job very happy.
ReplyDeleteBe happy if you have a solid job. Life's too short for all the complaining I see on this web site.
Enough with the "be happy you have a place to work" bit. That does not take away from the fact ATMS could care less about its associates. Even in a good economy, most ATMS associates seem to be looking for new jobs and only remain because that is all that is available at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame Taylor doesn't stand up to Bruce Almighty and change the culture around there.
I agree with the person who made the comment saying that people ought to be happy they have a job. That's a very valid point.
ReplyDeleteAssociates complain way too much.
@ 9:17 am
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I was just going to write that I am tired of partners writing that associates complain too much.
Look, we got into the law and made it through law school because we're smart and hard-working. There's a reason the associates are complaining: it's because the ridiculous terms of employment with these firms is making us not want to be lawyers.
As for me, I have 1-2 more years at my firm before I escape to solo practice. I turn in good work, get everything my partner needs done and work at least one weekend day a week.
Add up my hours and divide salary by hours worked and it's a paltry sum of cash for the amount of time spent.
That's why we're complaining. Overworked and underpaid (considering the whopping loans most of us are carrying)
If you are so "overworked and underpaid", maybe you should "escape" now and not wait 1-2 more years.
ReplyDeleteMuch easier to complain than take the step, isn't it?
"Look, we got into the law and made it through law school because we're smart and hard-working."
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
For those complaining about being overworked and underpaid, are you working for a large firm or a small firm? I suspect that the large firm associates are the ones complaining. They pay you a little more and then own you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was an associate (at a small firm), I didn't get paid alot, but I earned my way to the big bucks by becoming a rainmaker. I didn't complain about my pay when I was in my first few years. I made myself so valuable that they had to make me a partner.
Too many young lawyers nowadays want everything handed to them, including a fat check. Go make it happen for yourself.
Amen to 4:17.
ReplyDelete