Employees at the Costa Mesa office of Boston-based Bingham McCutchen LLP like its split personality.
They reap the benefits of small office camaraderie, while enjoying the security and benefits of a 1,000-plus lawyer firm.
“It’s probably the best of both worlds from an institutional point of view,” said Jim Loss, managing partner of the Costa Mesa office.
Bingham ranked No. 4 in the large company category in the Business Journal’s inaugural Best Places to Work list.
The list was compiled for the Business Journal by Harrisburg, Pa.-based Best Companies Group, an independent workplace researcher that managed the registration process, conducted surveys, evaluated data and selected companies for the list based on overall scores from queries of management and employees.
“We spend a lot of time and money and energy on trying to make sure it’s a good place,” Loss said.
The firm hosts a couple of staff lunches every year including a diversity lunch where people can celebrate their heritage and bring food from their native counties.
“We do things as an office like when we’ll go to the OC fair and watch the pig races,” said Michael Mortenson, an associate.
From triathlon teams to swimming in the morning at Laguna Beach, the partners and staff do a lot of sports together.
“We have kind of a sports connection for a lot of people in the office one way or another,” Loss said.
In addition to bagels and pastries brought in by Loss, the office has a well-stocked pantry with snacks, sodas and candies for the staff.
“If you do get into a situation where you are working late, there are enough calories per attorney to last for a couple of years,” Loss said.
‘Bingham 15’
The stash actually is responsible for the “Bingham 15,” named after the “Freshman 15” that college freshmen often pack on.
“I think you would be hard pressed to find any who hadn’t put on 10 to 15 pounds,” Loss said.
Bingham also offers its employees an extensive benefits package that includes health, dental and vision insurance and 401(k) matching.
“I’ve had doctors remark how good our insurance is,” Mortenson said.
Lawyer hours vary depending on the case and the situation, Loss said.
“With any legal practice you’re going to have long hours as a lawyer, but it’s not like a New York-based firm where everyone is in the office until the late hours trying their best to look busy,” Mortenson said.
The general staff keeps pretty much regular hours.
“We have some staggered hours with a lot of overtime available, but pretty much we don’t get many ‘go to the mattress’ situations requiring them to stay long hours,” Loss said.
Charity
The firm also is active in charities.
It is a major sponsor of the Orange County Community Foundation’s Invest in Children Fund High Hopes Luncheon. The fund supports early childhood health and education for poor children.
At Bingham’s yearly backpack project, which gives homeless kids backpacks filled with school supplies, the firm packs up about 150 backpacks.
“A lot of staff members and partners worked together on that project,” Mortenson said. “We formed an assembly line and we just walked around the main conference table stuffing bags with folders, pencils and other school supplies.”
The firm also started a program that allows staff members and laywers to accrue time off by working with charity.
Ultimately, it comes down to how everyone is treated at the end of the day, according to Motenson.
“Its funny how those little things can be a big difference in terms of morale,” he said.
