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Photo by Tracie Morris Schaefer
From left: Gloria Mitchell, Anne Leche and Lori Hunter of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The firm takes part in the fundraiser every year.
Baker, Donelson, Bearman,
Caldwell and Berkowitz
In Gloria Mitchell’s first week on the job as
legal secretary at Baker, Donelson, Bearman,
Caldwell and Berkowitz, her father became
gravely ill and was hospitalized in Covington.
She frequently commuted back and forth to
the North Shore to be with her father. No one
complained; instead, everyone in the office
pitched in to do Mitchell’s work while she was
gone.
“We take care of our people in difficult
times,” said Roy Cheatwood, managing shareholder
of Baker Donelson’s Louisiana offices.
Cheatwood said the firm believes the relationships
among the staff, lawyers and the administration
are as important as their clients. So much
so that when interviewing potential hires, the
firm focuses more on how that person will fit into
Baker Donelson’s culture as opposed to how
much money that person may bring in, he said.
To maintain open communication, employees
hold meetings called “The Daily Docket,” in
which groups get together and talk about that
day’s office issues. And it’s not something the
higher-ups are exempt from, either.
“I have every level in the office attending
these meetings,” said Anne Leche, office administrator
for Baker Donelson’s Louisiana offices.
The emphasis on communication extends to
all 16 of Baker Donelson’s branches worldwide.
Leche said the firm’s chief executive and chief
operating officers visit the New Orleans offices
four times a year, walking the halls and talking
to employees at every level.
“I feel like I have their attention and they
value what I do — little old me from New
Orleans,” Leche said. “It’s about a mindset. The
little folks don’t feel like they’re out of the loop.”
One of the staff’s favorite perks is the free
parking. And to be mindful of the environment,
the firm pays for public transportation for any
employee who chooses not to drive to work.
Baker Donelson also stresses giving back
to the community. The firm is active in
Habitat for Humanity and fundraisers such as
the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Employees donate money to participate in
Nature of business: law firm
Where based: New Orleans
Employees: 80
Average starting salary: $47,351 for staff and $107,400 for
attorneys
Median salary: $51,938 for staff and $192,500 for attorneys
Average employment time: three and a half years
Benefits: health care with 90 percent coverage, dental, vision
and prescription plans, unmarried partner benefits, paid maternity
and paternity leave, 401(k) with 3 percent match, continuing education,
telecommuting, flexible hours, job sharing, employee
recognition program
Wait time for benefits: the first of the month after 30 days of
employment
Paid days off: 29
Web site: www.bakerdonelson.com
casual Fridays or eat breakfast or lunch at
office potlucks, with proceeds going to causes
such as juvenile diabetes.
“As hard as they want you to work for the
office, they work just as hard to give back to the
community,” Mitchell said.
The firm also sponsors outings for underprivileged
families to Audubon Zoo or Rock ’n’
Bowl throughout the year and raises money to
buy Christmas presents.
Cheatwood said those efforts benefit the
office as well.
“The more active people are in supporting
and helping their community, the better
employees they are,” Cheatwood said.•
— Fritz Esker
December 14, 2009 11