Pros
The billable hours for attorneys are reasonable for the pay. The firm changed its compensation model, which is a mix between lockstep and merit-based pay and makes the firm more competitive. The Dallas office space is very nice and at a great location. Most of the shareholders are easy to work with and associates are provided with a lot of resources for practice and business development. The firm has a great banking and real estate practice.
Cons
Practice groups are NOT treated equally. If you are interested in litigation, avoid Winstead. Members of the board and other firm leaders are not interested in the litigation practice and not willing to invest in attracting or retaining shareholder-level litigators. In the past year, several shareholders and senior attorneys in litigation have left the firm or been asked to leave. The firm has also been demoting a few litigation shareholders. The firm is also terrible at diversity recruiting. There are few women and people of color at the firm and no LGBT attorneys.