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From left: David Melancon, Lizzi Richard and John Garrett of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore show their Saints spirit while munching on cupcakes the company bought for the staff.
Photo by Tracie Morris Schaefer
Irwin Fritchie
Urquhart & Moore
Edwina James said driving 40 miles to work
every day would be a challenge for some,
but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Once I park my car and sit at my desk, I feel
that it is a joy to be here,” said James, receptionist
for the law firm of Irwin Fritchie
Urquhart & Moore. “I really enjoy taking care of
the needs of the firm.”
James, who has been with the firm for more
than nine years, said the partners offer a sense
of loyalty she did not feel at other career stops.
“Everyone on every level of the firm gets
along like old family,” James said. “It is the kind
of thing you look for in a good company.”
Partner Jim Irwin said that “family-like”
atmosphere is a product of how the firm has
hired employees.
“When we started the firm 10 years ago, we
wanted people who love the profession,” Irwin
said. “You know who those people are, and you
see that here. It is the kind of people who love
coming to work every day. Our turnover rate
has been extremely low. Most of the employees
who opened with us are still here today.”
Irwin said the partners have worked diligently
to keep all of the firm’s 77 full-time employees
happy.
“We understand the needs our employees
have,” Irwin said.
He said some of the more popular perks
include a competitive health care plan, a good
salary structure and a strong 401(k) and profitsharing
plan.
“We get a fair amount for a fair day’s work,”
James said. “You can see that the partners care for
their employees. They are people of their word.”
Lisa Gardner, a paralegal for the firm, said
the partners go out of their way to ensure
everyone from top to bottom feels as though
they are on the same level.
“When we do functions like the annual
Christmas party, it’s not just for the partners or
attorneys,” Gardner said. “Everyone comes out
to them and mingles with each other. It has
Nature of business: law firm
Where based: New Orleans
Employees: 77
Average starting salary: $42,000 for staff, $97,500 for
attorneys
Median salary: $54,381 for staff, $125,770 for attorneys
Average employment time: nine years
Benefits: health care with 100 percent coverage, dental, vision
and prescription plans, paid maternity leave, 401(k) with profit
sharing contributions of up to 14 percent, continuing education,
flexible hours
Wait time for benefits: one month after start date
Paid days off: up to 40
Web site: www.irwinllc.com
helped us stay close knit.”
Gardner said she appreciates the trust that
the firm instills in its employees.
“They hired me as a professional, and they
trust that I will work as a professional while I am
here,” Gardner said.
Irwin Fritchie’s community efforts include a
firm-wide initiative to donate to the United Way
Lee Denim Day. Each employee donates $5
toward breast cancer research to wear denim
on the designated day. There is also a Secret
Santa program in which the employees sponsor
about 10 children per year for holiday gifts.
The firm’s attorneys also do pro bono work as
part of the Association of Legal Administrators
Community Challenge project.•
— Robin Shannon
26 2009 Best Places to Work