Quinn Emanuel Sends 250 Employees on Andes Trek for Team Building

For over three decades, the prominent law firm Quinn Emanuel has been organizing multi-day backpacking trips to some of the most remote locations around the world. These excursions, which have sent hundreds of employees on extreme offsites, are designed to foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among colleagues. The firm believes that these experiences help build invaluable friendships and strengthen the bonds between team members, ultimately enhancing their ability to work together effectively.

The firm's approach to team building is rooted in the belief that in challenging environments, colleagues are the only reliable support system. This philosophy is encapsulated in the firm's mantra: “There’s nobody out there who is going to do anything for you, other than your colleagues.” By placing employees in remote and demanding settings, Quinn Emanuel aims to cultivate a culture of mutual reliance and trust, which is crucial for navigating the complexities of the legal profession.

The firm's commitment to these offsites is a testament to its unique approach to fostering a cohesive and resilient team. The tradition began in 1993, when founder John B. Quinn led 15 legal analysts through Coyote Gulch in Utah. Since then, the outing has grown significantly, and the firm started traveling internationally in 2008. Now hundreds of employees flock each year to iconic trails like Switzerland’s Faulhornweg, Japan’s Mount Fuji, and Greece’s Mount Olympus, to name a few. Last month the firm took around 250 employees, a quarter of the company, to Cusco, Peru to hike part of the Andes mountain range. They could choose between an 8.5-mile trek to 14,000 feet or an even more rigorous 18-mile overnight to more than 15,000 feet.

These are not easy hikes,” says Stephen Wood, managing partner of the firm’s Salt Lake City Office, who also helps execute the event. “They challenge everyone and we have a broad spectrum of people who are there, from collegiate athletes and those who do Iron Mans for fun, to those who have never camped out in their lives.”

Partners say while the trip is expensive for the law firm, but the costs are worth it, because employees learn to lean on each other when times get rough, and build valuable relationships in the process. In fact, those who have the most difficult time, Guledjian says, are the ones who end up having “the most rewarding experience.”

In summary, Quinn Emanuel's approach to team building through multi-day backpacking trips is a unique and effective strategy. By placing employees in challenging environments, the firm fosters a culture of mutual reliance and trust, which is essential for success in the legal profession. This approach not only strengthens the bonds between colleagues but also enhances their ability to work together effectively, ultimately benefiting the firm and its clients.