December 4, 2008 3:54 PM

Bingham's Ho Ho Hum

Posted by Vivia Chen

It's a rarefied and not particularly marketable skill, but we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to law firm Christmas parties. One of our faves in recent years has been Bingham McCutchen's annual soiree for clients at the New York Public Library.

Held in one of the library's cavernous downstairs rooms, the parties have straddled (pretty successfully) those fine lines between opulence and propriety, indulgence and moderation.

This year, though, propriety and moderation seem to have won out. Gone were the life-size ice sculptures of aquatic creatures gracing the bar, the voluptuous floral displays soaring to the ceiling, and such hand-crafted touches as the coveted Christmas cookies glistening with ruby and emerald sugar crystals. 

"Given the economy, we decided to adjust the party," says Robert Dombroff, the managing partner of Bingham's New York office, noting this year's reduced expenditures for décor and food—though not liquor. There was still plenty of food (roast beef, sushi, pasta), but nothing in the way of exoticism or extravagance.

"We took portions of the [saved] expenses and gave to three organizations for the homeless [Share Our Strength, City Wheels on Meals, and City Harvest] that our clients favored," explains Dombroff about this year's civic emphasis. The total charitable contribution: $30,000.

But Dombroff says that none of the firm's 400 or so clients (mostly from the financial sector) who attended the party has complained about the scaled-down evening. Quite the contrary.

"We got more feedback from clients than in past years," he says, adding that some attendees seem particularly appreciative "because their institutions are canceling parties." 

Of course, we can't argue that more subdued celebrations are appropriate in these times. Yet, we have to admit that the evening was a bit sobering. As we exited the library, we hoped for at least a memorable party favor (one year, we took back a cute stuffed puppy wearing a Bingham T). Instead, the parting gift was hot chocolate served in a plain paper cup—and it was barely warm.

Photo by Martin Refsal

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