Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. Featured in Chambers Associate’s 2023 Guide and is Ranked in 5 Categories Nationwide in the 2023 Associate Satisfaction Survey
Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. has earned impressive rankings in 5 categories according to the Chambers Associate survey. The firm has been recognized as a Strong Performer in Quality of Life, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a fulfilling work environment. Furthermore, we are a Top 25 Firm for Associate Retention. Associate Satisfaction has also been recognized as a Strong Performer, reflecting the firm’s dedication to ensuring the well-being and contentment of its team members. In the realm of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. has achieved an Excellent ranking, ranking among the top 25 firms. Lastly, the firm’s commitment to Career Development has been acknowledged as Excellent, placing them among the top 25 firms in this category as well. These accolades from the Chambers Associate survey serve as a testament to the firm’s commitment to excellence in all facets of law practice.
Chambers & Partners is highly regarded for its comprehensive and influential rankings of lawyers and law firms worldwide. Their meticulous research process, which includes input from colleagues, competitors, and esteemed clients, ensures that the rankings are impartial and reliable. Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.’s achievements in these categories display its dedication to providing exceptional legal services and cultivating a supportive and thriving work environment for its associates.
If the world of New York real estate was a game of Monopoly, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. would have its pieces spread across the board. “We have the biggest clients in the world, and we have some of the smallest,” eponymous founder Adam Leitman Bailey tells us. “We do the biggest and most exciting cases with the most interesting results.” Contrary to the size of its massive clientele – made up of some of the top Fortune 100 companies – the firm houses fewer than 30 attorneys. The firm also has a much smaller focus than its Big Apple peers, something which drew our interviewees to the firm: “If you want to be a real property attorney, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. focuses and specializes in just that. You don’t have to do other things, so it’s a great firm for those who want to focus.”
If that doesn’t bring home the level of Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.’s prestige, look no further than Chambers USA, where founder Adam Leitman Bailey achieves high rankings for his experience in real estate litigation. Bailey’s own expertise helps solidify the firm’s “reputation for achieving favorable outcomes in trial settings,” one associate explained. Associates were familiar with the high quality of Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.’s work before they even got to the firm – work which encourages lawyers on the other side of cases to step up their game at trial. “People here joke, ‘What miracle do we have to perform today?’ I don’t promise miracles,” Bailey tells us. “We’re here to give you creative lawyering. And to produce victories.”
Associate Satisfaction and Associate Retention
The firm covers the litigious and transactional sides of all things real estate. Associates typically end up doing one or the other, but there’s the option to do both as well. There’s a free-market system in place for work assignment, but sources reported that work typically comes through one partner: “One partner will assign me work or things will come into my inbox from existing clients. Work assignment is independent here, but partners will often reach out to ask if you have time to help on matters.” Bailey highlights that “newer associates go to court right away or get to do closings in transactional.” Associates echoed this level of early responsibility since: “I appreciate that they have faith that you can handle something.” Reaffirming this sentiment, one associate said, “What makes this firm so great is that attorneys, regardless if they are partners or managing attorneys, they want to hear feedback from anyone including us younger associates…I really don’t think that our titles prevent us from truly digging our heels in to any case that might come up. The great thing about the culture here is that it does allow for autonomy, it allows for associates and other staff on whatever level they might be to really contribute to the firm on particular cases but also the firm as a whole.”
The practice is litigation-heavy, and the department works on a little bit of everything within that. One associate said, “Working here… you are not just doing regular cases. You’re doing all types of different work, so it keeps it exciting, keeps it engaging.” The scale ranges from representing institutional clients in foreclosure cases, to representing individuals with title insurance. “We’re familiar with anything that clients bring in and can go full speed ahead. You don’t want a client to come with an issue that requires learning a new area of law.” Junior litigators can get their hands on all aspects of the job, including research, drafting motions, and attending hearings and trials. “Given our small size,” one associate explained, “as a junior associate or even as an intern you’re able to do some significant work – not just discovery.” Another associate said, “From day 1 you are thrown into it, you are going to court, meeting with clients, going to conferences.”
“I’d give it a ten out of ten for client contact.”
On the transactional side of things, one interviewee summed up how “a lot of attorneys here are well rounded and can tackle anything with their skill set. You get pulled in on random matters, so you have to be flexible.” Typical tasks include reviewing documents and trust agreements, prepping contracts, writing letters and working on leasing matters and tenant buyouts. There are an array of matters and clients to get involved with, from tenants, to landlords, to shareholders of cooperative boards. “We usually act as corporate counsel to companies that reach out with whatever real estate issues they’re facing,” one insider explained, “but sometimes our practice can blend into litigation.” The nature of the role means that associates get a bunch of direct client contact: “I’d give it a ten out of ten. Partners always encourage you to reach out to clients directly and give them a call to find out what they need. I appreciate that, as you have to do things yourself to gain experience and improve as an attorney.”
Career Development
According to interviewees, the firm encourages associates to take the time to discuss career progression with more senior attorneys. “I’ve had conversations with partners about taking the next step in my career, as well as personal matters,” one associate explained. “I feel comfortable sitting down to talk about things.” As a smaller firm, career development is structured more informally. Rather than entering the firm on a formal track to partnership, for instance, associates are encouraged to be proactive and “really seek out questions, answers, and guidance.” One attorney said, “I would recommend working at ALBPC, as an attorney especially because there is so much opportunity for growth.” When it comes to making partner, there are no hard requirements but, according to our interviewees, “the partners here now started as Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. associates. Partnership isn’t specifically discussed but it’s implied.” So, associates on track to make partner should be able to demonstrate “consistent work ethic – you’re putting in time, billing your hours and doing the best that you can at your job. But you don’t have to bring in clients to become partner, that’s clear.”
Quality of Life
In addition to the factors mentioned above, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. prioritizes the well-being and quality of life of its employees in many ways. The firm takes pride in offering a great office space, carefully designed to provide a comfortable and productive work environment. Every associate, extern, staff member and intern gets their own office with a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty. The office is equipped with modern amenities, state-of-the-art technology, and comfortable workstations, ensuring that associates have the necessary tools and resources to excel in their work.
Recognizing the importance of physical fitness and overall health, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. goes the extra mile by providing Equinox gym reimbursements for its associates. This valuable benefit allows them to maintain an active lifestyle and prioritize their well-being. By supporting their physical fitness goals, the firm acknowledges the importance of work-life balance and encourages a healthy mindset among its team members.
To foster a sense of camaraderie and strengthen relationships within the firm, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. organizes various social events. “This firm’s culture is very hard working but at the same time very welcoming,” an employee said. Happy hours and summer lunches are just a few examples of these occasions, creating opportunities for associates to socialize, unwind, and connect with their colleagues in a relaxed setting. These events not only promote a friendly and inclusive work culture but also contribute to the creation of a “family atmosphere” where everyone feels supported and valued. One partner said, “The folks that we hire are the folks that you want to spend the evening with when you have a tight deadline, that you want to go out and get a drink with, that you want to visit on the weekends and that are good people.”
Further, another partner said, “There’s always been a nice kind of camaraderie here among the staff. Everybody’s very helpful and the attorneys are very collegiate and we’ve always had a good scholarship here.”
Overall, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. prioritizes the holistic well-being of its associates, recognizing that a positive work environment and a balanced lifestyle are crucial for individual growth and success. In describing what attracted her to work for Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C., an associate said, “One of the reasons I wanted to work at the firm is that when I looked at the women who work here I realized that not only are they incredibly talented and hard-working attorneys, but they also have the ability to have a well-balanced work life.” By providing a great office space, gym reimbursements, and fostering a family-like atmosphere through social events, the firm demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its employees while delivering exceptional legal services to its clients. “Part of having a rewarding career is to have an environment where you are comfortable and happy to be in. You do spend 80% of the week in the office, so it is important to have this kind of environment to feel like your career is a rewarding one,” an employee said.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in 2023
Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. embraces diversity, fosters a culture of respect, and provides equal opportunities for all its employees. This inclusive environment not only enhances the firm’s reputation but also ensures a meaningful and rewarding experience for everyone involved. “Ours is a firm culture that both grants respect as a human being to all of our employees and demands it”, one partner said. This feeling is echoed by an associate who stated that “the firm deals with diversity in a really great way. I don’t feel like im judged by the color of my skin or my background. Ultimately, its what can I bring to the table as an individual. I am judged by my work ethic.”
The firm’s commitment to empowering women is evident, highlighting the healthy work-life balance enjoyed by female attorneys at Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. The firm recognizes and celebrates diversity, ensuring that no employee feels judged based on their background. “One of the reasons I really wanted to work at this firm is because when I looked at all the women who were already here, I saw that not only were they very hard-working, intelligent attorneys but also that they also had the ability to have a healthy work-life balance. They were working hard and had all these work-opportunities, but they also have families and were raising children and the firm really encourages that. Being a woman here is not a detriment to the firm but actually a contribution”. At Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. women are encouraged to pursue both their careers and family life, making their contribution an asset to the firm. “As a working mother it’s great for me because he [adam] is incredibly flexible. I think it’s probably because he has children of his own he understands this. ”
Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. takes pride in its diverse workforce, which includes people from different backgrounds and states. This diversity enriches relationships and understanding beyond the legal and real estate realms, leading to better practitioners and a more inclusive work environment.
One partner attested that “the thing that’s very attractive about working here is the mix of people. We have, along with myself, three or four other seasoned attorneys, together with a lot of young and up and coming attorneys that were taken from the top of their class and are fairly eager to learn how to practice”. In this firm, “everyone’s efforts are recognized, which makes this a truly meaningful and rewarding experience” stated an associate. The mix of seasoned attorneys and young, talented lawyers further enhances the firm’s dynamic and ensures a continuous exchange of knowledge and growth. “I like working here because we have really really good young lawyers and we have really really good old lawyers.”
About Chambers Associate:
Chambers Associate is a career guide prepared by Chambers & Partners that “gives law students an unparalleled view into the working lives of associates at the nation’s leading law firms.” Chambers & Partners is one of the most renowned legal directories in the world. Chambers has published the leading directories of the legal profession, now producing eight legal guides covering 185 jurisdictions. Chambers is thus a highly respected and influential research and publishing company that provides rankings of the leading business lawyers and law firms from around the world. The prestigious guide covers all of the major practice areas at the national level, as well as key specialties within each state. The unbiased U.S. national rankings are compiled from the opinions of colleagues and competitors, including general counsel at Fortune 100 companies, high profile entrepreneurs building up their own private corporations and significant purchasers of legal services.
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