Salaries at the firm have traditionally been based on a set lock-step system combined with a variable component based on quality of work, pro bono, business development, and other contributions.  However, in October 2009, the firm announced it would be adjusting associate compensation to make merit-based elements more significant.  The firm had previously announced a pay freeze in late 2008, which it followed up with a 10% salary cut for all associates in June 2009.  The base salary scale is set on a lower level than comparatively sized firms based in New York, although first year associates in New York make market and patent associates at the firm receive additional compensation.  Lateral Link Members say the firm is perceived as a laggard with respect to bonuses.

Through "Dorsey U," the firm's internal training program, it offers formal training programs to associates at all levels.  Although the firm has a formal mentoring program, Lateral Link Members report that it is in need of life support, with one Member reporting that "there [are] a lack of mentors, so [associates do not] necessarily get one in [their] practice area" and another opining that mentors "are basically there to take you out to lunch every couple of months-nothing else."

The Firm Says:

Dorsey U produces, oversees and coordinates more than 700 hours of formal training annually, including new lawyer training, regular offerings on core skills and substantive topics, specialized presentations designed by the firm's practice groups to keep its professionals at the forefront of legal practice, and diversity and enrichment training. Most sessions are CLE-accredited. In addition to legal topics, Dorsey U presents programming designed to develop and nurture a diverse and cooperative workplace that values the balance between personal and professional life and promotes community service and leadership. Programs include parenting education, meditation, caring for aging parents and elimination of bias.

The firm requires associates to bill a minimum of 1,850 hours.

The firm encourages attorneys to take between two and four weeks of vacation each year, but Lateral Link Members report that most associates take vacation time on the lower end of that range.  It is uncommon to work on holidays or weekends, but Lateral Link Members say that if it is necessary, they can usually work from home.  According to Lateral Link Members, associates are generally expected to be in the office during normal working hours, although the firm understands if associates occasionally need to work a more flexible schedule. 

The firm will credit a maximum of 50 pro bono hours towards the billable hours minimum.  Additionally, once associates have reached their billable hours minimum, an additional 100 pro bono hours will be credited towards bonus determinations.  A high percentage of associates-88%-performs an average of 79 pro bono hours annually.

There is one partnership track at Dorsey & Whitney, averaging seven to eight years to consideration for partnership.  Lateral Link Members are encouraged by partnership prospects and say it is a "real...possibility with hard work," although they note that in niche practice areas, partnership possibilities can be "limited."  In 2008, over 50% of the new partners at Dorsey & Whitney were women. 

New associates at the firm receive a $5,000 salary advance as well as a $5,000 signing bonus/bar stipend.  Other benefits at the firm include emergency childcare in the Minneapolis office, sporadic social gatherings, an on-site gym in the Minneapolis office, and free baked goods.  Additionally, associates receive their own office at the beginning of their first year. 

Summer associates at Dorsey & Whitney rotate through three to four practice groups of their own choosing over the course of the summer and assignments are managed by an attorney summer coordinator. Summers are expected to complete 11 to 15 assignments over the course of the 10-week summer program, as well as attend bi-weekly training events. All summer associates gather for a weekend in Minneapolis for training and social events. Lateral Link Members report that even though they are provided with BlackBerrys, face time is important during the summer and they typically are in the office until 5:30 p.m. After initially eliminating only the New York summer program, the firm recently announced it would eliminate summer programs in 2010 in all offices except Minneapolis.  The firm had a 56% offer rate for its 2009 summer associate class.