{"id":132887,"date":"2025-09-08T15:04:49","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T23:04:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/09\/08\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-cant-believe-how-terrible-the-technology-is-at-their-firms\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T15:04:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T23:04:49","slug":"midlevel-biglaw-associates-cant-believe-how-terrible-the-technology-is-at-their-firms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2025\/09\/08\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-cant-believe-how-terrible-the-technology-is-at-their-firms\/","title":{"rendered":"Midlevel Biglaw Associates Can\u2019t Believe How Terrible The Technology Is At Their Firms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The American Lawyer recently revealed its 2025 midlevel survey, which showed us that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/09\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-crave-mentorship-in-a-post-pandemic-world\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">midlevels are frustrated<\/a>\u00a0because they crave training and mentorship opportunities, but not every Biglaw firm has been able to fulfill their end of the bargain. On top of that, they continue to be absolutely infuriated by their firms\u2019 technical prowess \u2014 or should we say, the lack thereof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of Am Law\u2019s annual midlevel survey, associates were asked to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rank their firms on all things tech<\/a>, and boy oh boy, are they pissed. How mad are they? As noted by Am Law, \u201cEven as law firms embrace artificial intelligence and double down on technology investments, junior lawyers continue to complain about \u2018borderline unusable\u2019 laptops and software.\u201d Here\u2019s more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>More than half of the 66 Am Law 200 firms whose associates participated in The American Lawyer\u2019s 2025 Midlevel Associate Tech Survey, roughly 56%, had at least one associate who complained about the firm\u2019s technology, or even said that was the one thing they would tell a managing partner they would like given the chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, there was enduring frustration about laptops, and several associates also highlighted the need for better remote access. Some argued they were bloated with security software that slowed the devices down, while other associates said they \u201ccan barely handle a few open PDFs without crashing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Which firms are making midlevels gripe the most about their tech setups? Am Law rounded up complaints from midlevels at firms that will make you want to close your head inside your laptop. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Cahill Gordon &amp; Reindel (\u201cThe outdated technology is borderline unusable and significantly slows down my workflow and severely impedes my efficiency,\u201d said one associate.);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paul Hastings (where an associate griped that \u201cour technology fails at a high rate,\u201d and that it\u2019s \u201ctypical to require multiple restarts a day, (and) programs fail regularly.\u201d);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dechert (\u201cOur laptops barely work,\u201d an associate complained. \u201cThe firm should devote more resources to hardware before worrying about AI and technology.\u201d); and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morrison &amp; Foerster (\u201cIt\u2019s a bad look when a firm that makes a million dollars per attorney is giving its employees the cheapest mouse and keyboard that is offered,\u201d an associate said.).<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Enough about the firms with tech that\u2019s making midlevel associates angry \u2014 let\u2019s get to the rankings. Which firms landed on top when it comes to their technology? Here are the top 10, courtesy of Am Law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>O\u2019Melveny &amp; Myers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morgan Lewis &amp; Bockius<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blank Rome<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gibson Dunn &amp; Crutcher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lowenstein Sandler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>McDermott Will &amp; Emery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Akin Gump Strauss Hauer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baker &amp; Hostetler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kirkland &amp; Ellis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winston &amp; Strawn<\/li>\n<\/ol><p>Click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>\u00a0to see the full list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Congratulations to all the firms that earned good grades on this list! Hopefully Biglaw firms that received low ratings will figure out a way provide the tech upgrades their midlevel associates need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amid AI Ramp-Up, Midlevels Still Want Better Laptops\u2014And to Keep Their Jobs<\/a> [American Lawyer]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-441281\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Staci-Zaretsky.jpg?resize=150%2C100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Staci Zaretsky\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure><p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/author\/staci-zaretsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Staci Zaretsky<\/a>\u00a0is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she\u2019s worked since 2011. She\u2019d love to hear from you, so please feel free to <a href=\"mailto:staci@abovethelaw.com\">email<\/a> her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/stacizaretsky.bsky.social\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">X\/Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Threads<\/a>,\u00a0or connect with her on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/staci-zaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p><p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/09\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-cant-believe-how-terrible-the-technology-is-at-their-firms\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Midlevel Biglaw Associates Can\u2019t Believe How Terrible The Technology Is At Their Firms<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p><p>The American Lawyer recently revealed its 2025 midlevel survey, which showed us that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/09\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-crave-mentorship-in-a-post-pandemic-world\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">midlevels are frustrated<\/a>\u00a0because they crave training and mentorship opportunities, but not every Biglaw firm has been able to fulfill their end of the bargain. On top of that, they continue to be absolutely infuriated by their firms\u2019 technical prowess \u2014 or should we say, the lack thereof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of Am Law\u2019s annual midlevel survey, associates were asked to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rank their firms on all things tech<\/a>, and boy oh boy, are they pissed. How mad are they? As noted by Am Law, \u201cEven as law firms embrace artificial intelligence and double down on technology investments, junior lawyers continue to complain about \u2018borderline unusable\u2019 laptops and software.\u201d Here\u2019s more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>More than half of the 66 Am Law 200 firms whose associates participated in The American Lawyer\u2019s 2025 Midlevel Associate Tech Survey, roughly 56%, had at least one associate who complained about the firm\u2019s technology, or even said that was the one thing they would tell a managing partner they would like given the chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, there was enduring frustration about laptops, and several associates also highlighted the need for better remote access. Some argued they were bloated with security software that slowed the devices down, while other associates said they \u201ccan barely handle a few open PDFs without crashing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Which firms are making midlevels gripe the most about their tech setups? Am Law rounded up complaints from midlevels at firms that will make you want to close your head inside your laptop. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Cahill Gordon &amp; Reindel (\u201cThe outdated technology is borderline unusable and significantly slows down my workflow and severely impedes my efficiency,\u201d said one associate.);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paul Hastings (where an associate griped that \u201cour technology fails at a high rate,\u201d and that it\u2019s \u201ctypical to require multiple restarts a day, (and) programs fail regularly.\u201d);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dechert (\u201cOur laptops barely work,\u201d an associate complained. \u201cThe firm should devote more resources to hardware before worrying about AI and technology.\u201d); and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morrison &amp; Foerster (\u201cIt\u2019s a bad look when a firm that makes a million dollars per attorney is giving its employees the cheapest mouse and keyboard that is offered,\u201d an associate said.).<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Enough about the firms with tech that\u2019s making midlevel associates angry \u2014 let\u2019s get to the rankings. Which firms landed on top when it comes to their technology? Here are the top 10, courtesy of Am Law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>O\u2019Melveny &amp; Myers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Morgan Lewis &amp; Bockius<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blank Rome<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gibson Dunn &amp; Crutcher<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lowenstein Sandler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>McDermott Will &amp; Emery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Akin Gump Strauss Hauer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baker &amp; Hostetler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kirkland &amp; Ellis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winston &amp; Strawn<\/li>\n<\/ol><p>Click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>\u00a0to see the full list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Congratulations to all the firms that earned good grades on this list! Hopefully Biglaw firms that received low ratings will figure out a way provide the tech upgrades their midlevel associates need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.law.com\/americanlawyer\/2025\/09\/04\/amid-ai-ramp-up-midlevels-still-want-better-laptopsand-to-keep-their-jobs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amid AI Ramp-Up, Midlevels Still Want Better Laptops\u2014And to Keep Their Jobs<\/a> [American Lawyer]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-441281\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Staci-Zaretsky.jpg?resize=150%2C100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Staci Zaretsky\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure><p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/author\/staci-zaretsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Staci Zaretsky<\/a>\u00a0is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she\u2019s worked since 2011. She\u2019d love to hear from you, so please feel free to <a href=\"mailto:staci@abovethelaw.com\">email<\/a> her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/stacizaretsky.bsky.social\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">X\/Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Threads<\/a>,\u00a0or connect with her on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/staci-zaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><!-- \/wp:post-content --><\/p><p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/09\/midlevel-biglaw-associates-cant-believe-how-terrible-the-technology-is-at-their-firms\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Midlevel Biglaw Associates Can\u2019t Believe How Terrible The Technology Is At Their Firms<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p><!-- \/wp:freeform -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The American Lawyer recently revealed its 2025 midlevel survey, which showed us that\u00a0midlevels are frustrated\u00a0because they crave training and mentorship opportunities, but not every Biglaw firm has been able to fulfill their end of the bargain. On top of that, they continue to be absolutely infuriated by their firms\u2019 technical prowess \u2014 or should we [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":132888,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-132887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/xira.com\/p\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Staci-Zaretsky-4EG1iL.jpg?fit=150%2C100&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132887"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132887\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}