Pros
All partners from northeast practice are genuinely nice and personable, checks any favoritism or elitism out the door. At least for the northeast, partners curb any micromanagement and minimize supervision for responsible and consistent associates. Some partners will make extra efforts to unleash associate's presence to outside parties (carriers, TPAs, insureds, opposing counsel, etc.).
Cons
Chronic work-life balance issues for insurance defense firms but associates have wiggle rooms to work it out with no difficulties from partners. High billables to make it very difficult to put yourself in the billing range for bonus. Senior partners acknowledge this and keep it open and willing to amend through annual salary adjustments. All partners are swamped with heavy load of work and struggle to provide tailored mentorship or training to associates on individual level, but if you are keen to the system and able to appreciate the mechanics of the volume business of insurance defense law firm, you can quickly gain traction.