Midlevel associates are the backbone of many large law firms, and thus many law firm leaders turn to their associates for advice on how to operate their firms.

As part of our midlevel associates survey, we asked associates what they would tell their managing partner and what they would change about their firms. Many of them got deep into the complex systemic issues they have observed in Big Law. But some of their suggestions are lighthearted and funny, while others are brief and brutally honest. Read on for some of the most candid responses this year.

As always, food is a fraught topic