Pros
For the most part, the staff at Hey Royster is pleasant and professional.
Cons
With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1910, this law firm has faced an arduous year in 2023, marked by significant losses and internal issues that have cast doubt on its future direction and relevance. Operating from multiple locations, including Champaign, Edwardsville, Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, this firm is confronting a challenging chapter in its long history. The year began with a considerable setback when the firm lost its transportation practice in early 2023. This loss not only impacted the firm's financial health but also led to the departure of numerous attorneys and staff, creating an unsettling void within its operations. Unfortunately, the summer brought further distress when the firm lost a major toxic tort client, leading to additional staffing cuts. These cumulative losses have left the firm's stability and prospects in question. Despite maintaining a robust Workers' Compensation Practice, associate attorneys have voiced concerns about the monolithic and intellectually unstimulating nature of the work they're assigned. The lack of variety in the cases and practice areas can lead to a sense of stagnation, undermining job satisfaction and professional development for the firm's few young attorneys. A significant concern is the firm's approach to diversity. While they claim to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, the firm is primarily run by a monolithic group of baby boomers and has struggled to attract and retain historically marginalized attorneys. At best, their commitment to diversity seems confined to gender diversity, with a predominant focus on women, many of whom lack ethnic diversity. A review of the firm's website paints a stark picture, as leadership profiles and attorney rosters fail to reflect the diversity needed for a modern law firm. The upcoming change in leadership, with the current managing shareholder set to step aside at the end of 2023, offers a potential opportunity for transformation. However, there is skepticism about whether this transition will significantly impact the firm's overall direction, given the firm's historical lack of adaptability and inclination to appease the more conservative members of its Board of Directors. In conclusion, this century-old law firm, with its rich history, is at a critical juncture in its existence, marked by significant losses, intellectual stagnation, and a failure to embrace diversity and inclusion. Prospective employees would be wise to explore other employment opportunities, as investing in this firm appears to offer few benefits.