Norton Rose Fulbright
    (25 reviews)

    Company Reviews

    Working at Norton Rose Fulbright

    3.025 ratings in total
    5
    5
    4
    7
    3
    4
    2
    2
    1
    7
    80%
    Rate salary as high or average
    56%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.0(25 ratings)
    Career development
    2.8(25 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.5(25 ratings)
    Management
    2.8(25 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.2(25 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.6(25 ratings)
    Ratings for Norton Rose Fulbright are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    1.0
    Finance Role
    Feb 2026
    Sydney NSW 20004 to 5 years in the role, current employee
    Hierarchical management in the Finance team creates a toxic micromanagement environment.
    The good thingsBeing able to work from home was good and learning new skills.
    The challengesThe Finance environment based in Sydney can feel highly hierarchical. There is a sense of “leadership” versus “workers”, and that affects psychological safety, collaboration, and willingness to raise risks early. The hierarchical management within the Finance team allows for an environment of toxic micromanagement, which is perceived as the norm. Decisions relating to role scope, resourcing, recognition, and project allocation are not clearly explained by the leadership, which has contributed to uncertainty and perceptions of inconsistency.
    1.0
    Business Services Role
    Nov 2023
    Brisbane QLD 40009 to 10 years in the role, former employee
    Glad to be gone, System of a Down would love the Toxicity of this place…
    The good thingsThe lovely staff and that’s about it
    The challengesManagement and the “class” system they have created between professionals and admin staff
    4.0
    Information Technology Role
    Oct 2023
    Sydney NSW 20009 to 10 years in the role, former employee
    Great place to build a career
    The good thingsHighly-skilled and knowledgeable colleagues across the organisation. Opportunities for career growth within your team and achievement is generally recognised. Commitment to eliminating negative and harmful behaviour is demonstrated, not just given lip service.
    The challengesExcellence is only recognised when relative to other team members; if you're part of a high performing team, then opportunities for bonuses are reduced. Office politics can be difficult to navigate, especially in larger offices.
    5.0
    Anonymous
    Dec 2021
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Like no other Law firm I have ever been at. Proof that not all Law firms are what people think!
    The good thingsGreat culture, friendly people, immaculate offices, great social events, great induction and training compared to other top tier firms I have worked at.
    The challengesNone so far. I can't foresee anything coming up any time soon.
    2.0
    Legal Assistant
    Jan 2020
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    The team is absolutely lovely and the firm offers a fanatatic start point for junior LAs to learn in a global law firm. However management will need to improve and suggestions of others should be acknowledged and executed.
    The good thingsThe team as individuals are lovely but the work, the system and processes is inefficient.
    The challengesThe systems, processes and management will need to improve. All team members need to be more appreciated and rewarded for their hard work and suggestions to better the workplace should be acknowledged and executed.
    5.0
    Lawyer
    Nov 2019
    9 to 10 years in the role, former employee
    excellent firm with great leadership
    The good thingsDiversity, franchise sector excellence, great work
    The challengesmanaging a busy home schedule and working
    5.0
    Junior Legal Assistant
    Sep 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    I had the best experience at this firm!
    The good thingsThe mentoring, training and events
    The challengesA few challenges like any other work place, nothing i couldn't handle
    1.0
    Marketing Manager
    Sep 2019
    former employee
    Would never recommend
    The good thingsThe views from the building in Sydney.
    The challengesPatriarchal and power distancing behaviours, unwilling to change, technology is in the dark ages, culture of fear.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Legal Secretary
    Sep 2019
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Overall good firm.
    The good thingsLots of support, printing facilities, partner was very supportive
    The challengesNot much team culture. I didn’t have to work too much overtime but felt for the other lawyers.
    2.0
    Paralegal
    Aug 2019
    Mixed experience in stressful environment
    The good thingsSome managers cared and staff outside your department were nice
    The challengesCompetitive within the department made it difficult to fit in with colleagues if your work was praised. Casual work meant no job security. New diversity policies were code to behave. Staff lived in fear of HR.
    1.0
    Billing Officer
    Oct 2018
    Less than 1 year in the role
    Worst management ever
    The good thingsOffice location is good
    The challengesManager and management difficult.. not at all decisive
    2 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Senior Legal Secretary
    Feb 2018
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Very glad i left, was sad to leave some people but thats all i was sad about leaving behind
    The good thingsYou get your good and bad people, the good people making it a good place to work
    The challengesThe partner and a lot of senior staff are difficult Everyone is massively over worked Partners look down at admin staff No room to move salary wise (even though it wasn't that great to begin with)
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Legal Assistant
    Dec 2017
    Sydney NSW 20001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Great opportunities but can be frustrating when it comes to dealing with HR
    The good thingsWorked over a number of teams while I was here and made some amazing friends- great social events like monthly drinks, pride network nights, and depending on the team you are working in- weekly morning teas/ drinks. Everyone was like-minded and all about equal opportunity and diversity. Also didn't feel the lawyer/ support staff \"gap\" so to speak- everyone was treated the same.
    The challengesHR team could be hard to nail down when there were issues and nothing really ever felt \"dealt\" with. Certain teams are very high pressure and not very welcoming- and have a reputation throughout the firm.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Learning & Development
    Dec 2017
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    A pleasure to work in such a dynamic team
    The good thingsI worked with a supportive,fantastic team of very talented individuals. We drew from each other's strengths and it was a wonderful environment to work in.
    The challengesNot everyone had the same experience as me and it was hard watching other people struggle with their job and expectations from their leaders/managers.
    4.0
    Investment and Trust Accounts Officer
    Mar 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Very different to my first law firm - for good reasons
    The good thingsReally supportive manager that understands you have life outside or work and sometimes things just come up.
    The challengesNot up to date with current electronic banking processes which makes things a bit more manual and time consuming. Some procedures are long winded.
    5.0
    National Travel Coordinator
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Overall it was a great place to work and I really enjoyed my time there
    The good thingsGreat working environment with beautiful offices. A very supportive HR department.
    The challengesNot really any in my role, more to do with third parties.
    1.0
    Senior associate
    Feb 2016
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Interesting
    The good thingsNice office in the centre of Melbourne
    The challengesSenior management a bit tricky, in a typical large firm fashion
    3.0
    Paralegal
    Feb 2016
    Good temp job but no long term opportunities
    The good thingsGood facilities for use
    The challengesCareer progression wasn't likely
    5.0
    Paralegal
    Feb 2016
    A high quality firm without the nasty people!
    The good thingsMy experience really comes from only one group - construction - and I can tell you that they are fantastic to work with. The firm as a whole put on a lot of social events that everyone can participate in but that said I don't feel that you are valued any less if you choose not to. The work in construction is quite high quality and as a global firm the opportunities for travel and access to expertise in all jurisdictions is excellent.
    The challengesSome of the systems I find frustrating - I am not sure if this is genuinely the limits of what is available in the market or they are older systems.
    4.0
    learning and development administrator
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    great work culture and opportunity
    The good thingsGreat focus on work culture and work life balance. Good focus on flexible working arrangements.
    The challengesNothing out of the ordinary
    1.0
    Support staff
    Oct 2015
    9 to 10 years in the role, former employee
    If you want to be under paid, under appreciated, recieve no professional development and be percieved as part of the problem rather than part of the team then NRF is the firm for you.
    The good thingsBetter work conditions than Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Many of the staff at NRF were good to work with but I can say that about every place I have been.
    The challengesThe company's official narrative and actual management decisions are not related. I imagine that is an ok place to be a partner but not for anyone else, the divide between fee earners and support staff regarding pay and respect is large and growing. Perks and professional development that the fee earners receive are way ahead of what support staff receive, essentially any thing that the support staff get is the minimum required by law - don't expect anything more.
    2 people found this helpful
    3.0
    paralegal
    Sep 2015
    needs structure
    The good thingsrelaxed comparably
    The challengespoor management
    1.0
    Legal Assistant
    Sep 2015
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Just a number, and a low number at that!
    The good thingsGood salary, global recognition, merchandise
    The challengesThe egos, the work hours expectations.
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Paralegal
    Sep 2015
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Ok, but not exactly welcoming.
    The good thingsGood managing associates.
    The challengesInter-office politics.
    3.0
    Associate
    Sep 2015
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    A worthwhile career stepping stone
    The good thingsThe non financial perks of a large firm - eg. Firm events, internal seminars etc
    The challengesWorking 70 hour weeks for 5 years just to keep on top of budget
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