The Discovery of a Unique Law Firm
Q: What is the practice of law like at McNees Wallace & Nurick?A: We believe McNees has achieved a true balance of challenging legal work and quality of life, a feat which few other firms have accomplished. With attorneys working in over 25 different practice areas, the firm has attracted and retained high-quality clients for more than 75 years. The broad client base that McNees enjoys has allowed the firm to develop highly specialized legal experience and engage in sophisticated and rewarding legal work.
Q: What is meant by the phrase "quality of life?"A: Many firms liberally use the phrase "quality of life" with regard to their firm, but in reality very few attorneys in today's legal community really know what it means. At McNees, we believe "quality of life" means that our attorneys work hard on demanding legal projects while remaining committed to their personal lives. Few people went to law school with the goal of graduating and spending 12-16 hours a day in the office, yet many end up doing just that. At McNees, the work is important, but family and friends remain a central focus for most McNees attorneys. Few other firms can say the same.
Q: What are the attorneys like at McNees Wallace & Nurick?A: In any field, the quality of the finished product largely depends upon the skill and commitment of the people who perform the work. On a purely academic level, McNees attorneys have been educated at some of this nation's finest law schools. There is a high level of interaction between not only attorneys within the same practice group, but throughout all disciplines of the firm. The atmosphere during the day at the office is exceptionally collegial, and many of the attorneys spend time with other attorneys and their families outside of the office. McNees attorneys truly care about one another - and that statement is not made lightly. Although many firms tout the "quality" of their people, we believe very few can compare with McNees.
Q: But why come to Harrisburg? Can't I find a firm like McNees Wallace & Nurick in a bigger city?A: You could find a firm that is about the same size as McNees in a bigger city - but that's about as close as you could get to imitating McNees. Part of the reason McNees enjoys such high quality work, people, and lifestyle is because of its location. Because it is the largest firm in Harrisburg, and one of the largest in Central Pennsylvania, members of the community typically look to McNees first when they need sophisticated legal work. Thus, McNees can provide "big city work" in a mid-size city. We believe this sets us apart from other firms of a similar size in larger cities.
There also is much to enjoy about Harrisburg itself. Adjacent to the Susquehanna River, it is one of this nation's most beautiful inland river cities. Harrisburg boasts its own orchestra and performance theater, as well as quality schools and an active night life. For those who wish to partake in bigger city activities, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. are only about 2 hours away by car, while New York City is only a 3 1/2 hour train ride away.
ASSOCIATES
Q: How many hours are associates expected to bill?
A: Each associate is expected to bill 1800 hours per year.
Q: Is the starting salary as rewarding as the legal work, the people, and the lifestyle at McNees Wallace & Nurick?A: McNees is able to pay its associates a competitive salary while also requiring significantly fewer billable hours than most other full-service firms. The firm's associate compensation schedule is competitive with those of comparable firms of our size and is regularly reviewed by the firm.
The salary for the first three years is the same for all associates at the same level on the membership track. In the fourth year, and continuing until the associate becomes a member, each associate is compensated under a flexible compensation schedule that permits opportunities for larger increases in annual salary.
Q: What is the McNees membership track?A: Entry level associates are placed on a seven to nine year membership track, allowing a three-year "window" for membership consideration.
Q: Does McNees offer any bonus opportunities?A: Associates are eligible for a year-end bonus provided billable hour requirements are met and the firm exceeds annual budgeted revenue by an amount sufficient to fully fund the bonus program.
Q: Does McNees allow attorneys to work modified hours? A: Yes. We recognize that, at various times in one's working career, alternative work arrangements are necessary for an attorney to balance family responsibilities, such as care for a parent, spouse or child, or to address his or her own medical needs, while maintaining a productive and rewarding practice. McNees has an "Alternative Work Policy" to address these situations.
Q: What is McNees's benefit package?
A: Beginning on the first day of the following month of employment, the firm provides various benefits for its associates, which currently include:
Health Insurance – we offer three levels of PPO medical insurance and a Health Savings Account option. Coverage is available for dependents on a payroll-deduction basis. If a full-time employee does not require medical and dental insurance, he/she will receive $75 per month, as a part of our opt-out program.
Dental Insurance – individual dental coverage is borne entirely by the Firm for full-time employees. Dental coverage is also available for dependents on a payroll-deduction basis.
Vision Insurance – individual and family vision coverage is a voluntary benefit and is available on a payroll-deduction basis.
Life Insurance – we provide coverage based on one times an employee's annual salary, with the ability to purchase supplemental life insurance through payroll deduction.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts (Cafeteria Plan) – employees can reduce their taxable income for expenses relating to non-reimbursed medical/dental/vision expenses or day care.
McNees 401(k) Savings Plan – employees reach eligibility on January 1 or July 1 after one "year of service."
Employee Assistance Plan – employees and their qualified family members are entitled to three free visits through Mazzitti & Sullivan, an organization which provides confidential behavior healthcare management.
Vacation – Upon completion of the Bar Examination and starting with the Firm, associates are offered one week of vacation during the remainder of the current calendar year. Associates, thereafter, receive three weeks (15 days) of vacation during their first three full calendar years with the Firm, and four weeks (20 days) of vacation in each year thereafter. Associates receive thirty days of paid sick leave annually.
Bar Association Dues
Professional Memberships
Cellular Data Plan Reimbursement
SUMMER ASSOCIATES
Q: At what rate are summer associates compensated? A: Summer associates are paid at the same rate as an entry-level associate.
Q: How long does the summer program run? A: The summer program is a fixed 10-week program.
Q: How many hours are summer associates expected to work? A: Each summer associate is expected to work about 230 hours on summer associate projects during the 10-week program.
Q: How many summer associates do you hire for the summer program? A: Typically four or five, the majority of whom are 2Ls. We are conservative in hiring summer associates because our intent is to be able to make offers for full-time employment to all of our summer associates if their performances warrant it.
Q: Does McNees consider first year law students for its summer program? A: Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Please send resumes after December 1. If you are going to be in Harrisburg over the winter or spring holidays, please indicate that in your cover letter.
Q: If I am not accepted for McNees's summer program as a first year, should I re-apply in my second year?A: Yes! Space for first years (1Ls) is often quite limited, so we cannot always accommodate 1L candidates that we would like to have in our summer program as 2Ls.
Q: Ultimately, why should I interview with McNees Wallace & Nurick?A: There are hundreds of high caliber law firms in this country, and, like McNees, most of them actively seek to hire graduates from the top law schools. Some rely on firm reputation, without making an effort to explain what is being done to maintain that reputation. Some simply pay new associates a large salary, assuming that money can overcome a lack of lifestyle and/or a poor work environment. Others rely on the fact that they are located in a big city, without explaining how or why that affects the firm itself.
A law student or graduate should be wary of a firm that is one-sided and does not present a balanced mix of quality legal work, people, and lifestyle. We believe we have succeeded in achieving such a balance, which makes us unique in today's legal community. Our continued commitment to maintaining that balance is why some of the nation's best and brightest law school graduates have chosen to practice law at McNees. We invite you to join us.
Q: How should I apply if I am at a school where McNees does not interview on campus? A: Send a cover letter, resume and transcripts (undergraduate and law school) to:
Kathi J. Lipinsky, Recruiting Coordinator
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
100 Pine Street
PO Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
klipinsky@mwn.com.
We also accept applications by fax at (717) 237-5300.