Pros
Initial high highs, inspiring opportunities, extremely steep learning curve. Career opportunities upon leaving are strong given quality of learned experience and design training. Pay was respectable given industry average, but only if you were a talented designer, rather than technically proficient.
Cons
The only way this practice can be described is that it is akin to an early life toxic relationship. The potential, at the time, seemed limitless, exciting and inspiring. Over time, and via the endless struggles/arguments/ HR nightmares/drama and dysfunction, the dream peels away and the reality of the situation begins to reveal itself. As time goes on, it doesn't get any prettier. You do however leave with extremely valuable design experience - and of how not to professionally manage or treat clients, budgets and staff. You will become increasingly physically and mentally exhausted by the manipulation of management, you will require a sabbatical and you will have a very strong portfolio of mostly incomplete, but rather impressive projects. That was several years ago. Now, there are few left as the word has spread and only projects which began 5+ years ago are being completed. It was worth it for a short period of time at the practice's perceived peak, but management was egoistic, self-centered and manipulative and never evolved to appreciate staff or clients, in what is a very small world in their industry. 10 staff joining/leaving on average per year, in a practice averaging 10 staff per year, says it all.