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Arnold Bloch Leibler

4.5
  • 100 - 500 employees

Culture at Arnold Bloch Leibler

9.1
9.1 rating for Culture, based on 17 reviews
Please describe your company's culture both in the office and after hours. Let us know about the structure and hierarchy, cooperation and teamwork, and socialising amongst colleagues.
All things considered, culture is great. Covid-19 has impacted on socialising with colleagues but everyone is looking out for one another across the hierarchy. Cooperation is a fundamental aspect of ensuring that clients get great service and reliable advice and is clearly demonstrated and practiced. Partners and senior lawyers are accommodating and take time to check in with grads, especially in these uncertain and unique times.
Graduate, Sydney
The firm is very good about allowing juniors to play major roles in a matter. A grad will often work one-on-one with a partner and be speaking with clients regularly. Everyone is always willing to provide support on the matter even if they are not working on it, such as asking questions about a firm structure or explaining the meaning of a contract clause. The firm provides lots of occasions for socialising with others, including those from other practice groups. Otherwise, there are regular chats in the hall and coffee breaks to keep up with everyone's social lives.
Graduate, Melbourne
Office culture always varies from team to team. My team is super inclusive and HR is always looking out for us. It was also great starting with a grad group - we have 19 in Melbourne and 4 in Sydney. There is always someone to ask for help if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Graduate, Melbourne
I think it is what you make it. The culture suits me but I understand would not be for everyone - on the whole I think we are more intellectually curious and bookish than party-going. There is a hierarchy, but most times I find this assists - your role is always clear and the hierarchy does not mean people are unfriendly.
Graduate, Melbourne
Hours are not as bad as anticipated. Definitely no regular 14-hour days. The litigation team is mostly gone by 6pm, with the floor fairly empty by 7pm on most nights. No expectations of staying late just for the sake of it. There has been a huge intake in litigation graduates in 2020, presumably to spread the work out more. People are friendly, however there is probably less "chit chat" and banter than at some other firms. Obviously, this depends on the team and who's there at the time, but this probably contributes to the shorter than average work days - people get things done and go home. With that said, people are extremely helpful when it comes to "bouncing ideas" and the litigation team has a very positive culture. I cannot comment on other teams but being a smaller firm (compared to the big 6), it would probably be similar across teams.
Graduate, Melbourne
The hierarchy is not dissimilar to that in other law firms - partners are the main contact for clients and they are the ones who disseminate work to the SAs, lawyers and graduates. The teams are quite small so cooperation is essential. Teamwork is easily facilitated at the firm given everyone is friendly.
Graduate, Melbourne
Looks like everyone gets along very well and respects one another
Graduate, Sydney
I was pleasantly surprised about how connected and supportive the culture is at ABL. This characteristic has been keenly felt during the COVID-19 crisis. Partners are actively taking steps to ensure all graduates feel welcomed and supported throughout the unusual working period. ABL also has some of the most warm, light-hearted, down to earth and intelligent employees I have come across in my career. All partners are highly supportive of their graduates' career development and learning. ABL hosts a range of events throughout the year for their staff. So far, I have attended a staff Christmas party which was handsomely supplied, and a graduate luncheon.
Graduate, Melbourne
My team is quite small, and I have direct contact with everyone. We have regular team catch ups as well which helps me feel more integrated and part of the team. My buddy is fantastic and calls to check in on me regularly.
Graduate, Sydney
Quite a strong hierarchy but they are fairly honest about this. You are given respect as soon as you walk through the door, you do not have to earn it. Socialising varies by department and group but everyone is generally very friendly and open.
Graduate, Melbourne
Everyone is super welcoming, but there also isn't an expectation that everyone will necessarily want to get involved in the same way, so there is no pressure to "fit the norm" which is really nice.
Graduate, Melbourne
Lots of social events, both firm-wide and team specific. Juniors typically work with their supervising partner, a number of senior associates and lawyers. Graduates are teamed up with a buddy who can assist with work flow and reviewing work. While the culture of each team in the firm in unique, my team is very social and cooperative.
Graduate, Melbourne
Welcoming and friendly social culture. Flat structure, lots of direct contact with partners and senior lawyers, in small, agile teams.
Graduate, Melbourne
ABL is still largely a 'family' business. It is small enough so everyone knows each other. Generally good teamwork between different teams. Still has an old school hierarchal feel about it.
Midlevel, Sydney