FAQs

1. What's it like to work at Heller Ehrman?

Heller Ehrman is a fast-paced and exciting place to work where staff member contributions are recognized and valued as being vital to the overall success of the firm. The firm's commitment to excellence translates to high expectations, and hard work is rewarded. Firm-supported social activities, like baseball games, charity walks and "happiness events" help people get to know one another. The work at Heller Ehrman is invigorating and professionally rewarding. The firm recognizes the importance of a healthy work/life balance for its employees.

2. How is Heller Ehrman different from other law firms?

Heller Ehrman is different in many ways, but there are a few things that really stand out. One of the firm's core values is its commitment to its people. We are a diverse group of people with different experiences and cultures working together as one team. People treat each other as colleagues, taking the time to help each other and treating others with dignity and respect. Many organizations talk about core values, but we live them every day. As an example, our firmwide recognition program rewards professional support staff for their achievements in client service, teamwork, tenure and community service. It's great to be a part of a firm that values your professional contributions as well as your community involvement.

The firm also has a distinct vision for the future: to be a recognized market leader with deep relationships with companies shaping the economy and to foster client-focused innovation. Like many other industries, the legal profession is undergoing enormous change, and in order to remain successful and strong, a vision for the firm's future is critical. Heller Ehrman has developed a clear strategic direction, one that is shared with all employees and is discussed frequently by firm management. This "strategic architecture" describes the firm's goals and provides a road map for decision making and planning.

Finally, Heller Ehrman is truly one firm, another of our core values. We are not made up of several offices doing their own thing. The decisions we make and the programs we have are for all employees in all offices.

3. What are Heller Ehrman's benefits like?

Heller Ehrman provides our professional support staff with a wide range of competitive benefits. Click here for details.

4. How are professional support staff compensated?

Heller Ehrman offers competitive compensation packages, including bonuses for professional support staff. Base compensation is evaluated and salary adjustments based on merit are reviewed annually. Professional support staff are eligible for a merit-based bonus paid at year-end. The firm also provides an annual profit-sharing contribution for employees who have completed the calendar year, without any requirement for employee contributions.

5. How is performance feedback shared with employees?

Performance evaluations are conducted after 90 days of employment for newly hired employees and annually for all other employees. Each employee is encouraged to play an active role in the process by completing a self-assessment, sharing his or her perspective and setting goals. A face-to-face meeting provides opportunities for discussing the written comments and setting goals for the upcoming review period. During this meeting, managers and employees are encouraged to discuss areas that can enhance or develop skills and help in career-path planning.

6. What career opportunities are available to professional support staff?

Job openings are posted within the firm; qualified employees are encouraged to apply. Heller Ehrman has a long history of promoting from within, which is reflected in our success at retaining top talent. In addition, the firm believes in providing opportunities for professional development, including mentoring and internal and external training courses.

7. What kind of training is offered at Heller Ehrman?

The firm keeps up to date with the latest technology and offers intermediate and advanced training to all employees. Some of the classes we offer regularly include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat and other legal applications. Classes aimed at improving leadership and management skills are also offered to managers, supervisors and lead personnel. The firm is also a certified legal education provider and frequently sponsors in-house legal training programs for paralegals and attorneys.

8. Does Heller Ehrman offer flex time for staff?

Employees are eligible for flexible scheduling at the discretion of their supervisor. Generally, these arrangements are made on an individual basis to ensure the best work/life balance for the employee while meeting the needs of clients and the firm.

9. How does Heller Ehrman give back to the community?

Heller Ehrman's attorneys and staff contribute thousands of hours each year to community, non-profit and public interest organizations. Some of the charitable events in which many of our offices participate include:

• National Rebuilding Day, an event intended to restore warmth and safety to low-income homes and community centers across the nation.
• Food Frenzy, a competition among law firms to collect donations for Food Lifeline.
• Komen Race for the Cure, a walk/run to help fund breast cancer research as well as breast health initiatives.
• Revlon Run/Walk for Women, a 5K walk to fight against women's cancers.
• AIDS Walk and AIDS Ride, fundraising and awareness events aimed at improving vital services for people living with HIV or AIDS.

Through pro bono legal services, donations and participation in local and national events, we give back to the communities in which we live and work. Also, each year, the firm honors a select number of employees with the Professional Support Staff Community Service Award for their outstanding contributions to charitable activities. The firm also donates between $500 and $1,000 to the non-profit organization of each recipient's choice.

10. Does Heller Ehrman have a dress code?

All Heller Ehrman offices are "business casual"—so casual, in fact, if you want to wear a suit, that's okay, too.