What sort of guidance does the firm offer to associates in the development of their careers?
We believe that the working relationship between partners and associates is the most important element in associate development. We keep the staffing of cases and projects as lean as practicable, consistent with effective representation of our clients. As a result, associates confer regularly with the partners with whom they work, and have vast opportunities to learn and grow through such relationships. In addition to providing feedback on an ongoing basis, annually each partner prepares formal written reviews of associates’ work. Associates also receive a mid-year review during their first year at the firm. The principal purposes of this review process are to assist in identifying the associate’s special skills and opportunities for improvement, and to discuss with the associate his or her professional development goals. Beginning in the fifth year after the associate’s law school graduation, the review process focuses principally on the associate’s prospects for partnership.
