Cholakian & Associates

Continue to vet secretariat applicants as you have the past couple of years to avoid a revolving door of less than satisfactory suppprt. It’s difficult to not hire when suppprt is understaffed but better to be picky than not.

The firm has a great reputation with judges and opposing counsel as a terrific trial firm that is well prepared. That leads to good settlements and if trial is necessary the attorneys are well prepared. The firm has a nice location, nice commute for those in SF and the Peninsula and it’s a congenial office. Managing partner is a tremendous trial attorney and the Attorneys in general are strong advocates. Salary and bonuses are higher than most other insurance defense firms. I left after relocating to Sacramento.

The firm had a reputation for staff turnover which stemmed from an unqualified office manager a few years back who created HR issues instead of solving them. That changed a couple years ago and the suppprt staff is quite strong since. The majority of Attorneys stay a longer time ( 5+ years) once they demonstrate they are competent and hard working.

Consider what's leading to such large rates of employee turnover. This singular problem is most responsible for poor morale and lack of team cohesion, among other issues.

There is always plenty of work available, for those who want it, and much of it is relatively interesting. Salaries and bonuses can be decent, for those who can stand the firm's culture.

There is seemingly constant turnover among support staff and lower-level attorneys. This makes it difficult to establish trust and rapport with others, contributing to the culture being negative in other ways. Also, the commute can be long and tedious for some.