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McDermott's Change in Coffee Perks Has Some Lawyers Steaming
The American Lawyer
March 04, 2009
Times are tough, and businesses are looking to save money any way they can. But as the Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday, there is a debate at one law firm about which cuts can be deemed prudent and which just seem, well, cheap.
Above the Law was the first to spill the coffee beans on Friday when it received a leaked e-mail from the head of McDermott Will & Emery's Chicago office, private client partner Quentin "George" Heisler Jr., that stated the firm would no longer provide free coffee in its 45th floor lobby. Heisler also said that evening food service would be suspended.
Free coffee, albeit Flavia, would continue to be provided on each of the firm's attorney floors and to McDermott clients in the 44th floor reception area.
But the 45th floor coffee cut went too far for some McDermott partners.
In an epic e-mail snafu -- people never learn, do they? -- a partner hit the dreaded "reply all" and sent the following response to everyone on Heisler's e-mail chain:
"George, I know this will save some dollars but they are small dollars. For the small savings I think this is a mistake. To me it sends a message of desperation."
The partner's name was not on the above e-mail leaked to ATL, but the Tribune confirms that the sender was employee benefits partner John Hendrickson, chairman of McDermott's compensation committee and a member of the firm's management committee. (Hendrickson did not return the Tribune's requests for comment.)
Heisler told the Tribune that the food and beverage cutbacks should not be taken as a sign that McDermott is in trouble, rather as a "symbolic move" made in tandem with other budget cuts.
Last month the firm announced that it would terminate nearly 150 employees -- 60 associates and 89 staffers. The Tribune reports that McDermott also recently canceled a black-tie event at the Field Museum to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
Heisler told the Tribune that money saved from the event was used to supplement severance packages to employees who lost their jobs. Heisler added that "[Hendrickson] certainly appreciates what we did [with the 45th floor coffee cut], and he now understands why we are taking [the food service] out."
This article first appeared on The Am Law Daily blog on AmericanLawyer.com.
