The firm makes every effort to accommodate an associate’s
special interest and training.
The firm provides opportunities
for specialization in one or several of the firm’s
many practice areas.
The goal is to assist each associate in discovering and
fully developing his or her particular areas of interest
and ability. Workloads are monitored and adjusted, when
necessary, as a result of information obtained through
the firm’s procedure for the evaluation of associates.
Associates are assigned a partner to serve as their mentor.
Associates and partners work together on most assignments,
although on many projects the associates assume the majority
of responsibility for the file and client contact. All
partners recognize their responsibility to provide guidance
and evaluation to associates. Associates receive formal
evaluations every six months which are administered by
the firm’s associate supervisor with input from
the associate mentors and all partners who work with the
associates. Associates are also encouraged to add their
input to the evaluation process prior to the final evaluation
meeting. Associates are evaluated on the quality of their
work, skill development, productivity and participation
in community and bar association activities. Associates
are not required to bring new clients to the firm but
associates receive additional credit if they participate
in building the firm’s client base. Of course, all
partners have an open-door policy and are available to
associates to discuss client matters or professional matters
at any time.
The firm’s compensation package ranks at the top
of its market and is augmented by a bonus plan which provides
incentives for associates to develop their private practices.
The firm provides a starting salary that is competitive
with that offered by other major firms in the area, and
provides annual salary adjustments. In establishing a
particular associate's salary, the firm provides consideration
to professional experience prior to an associate’s
hire. The firm’s compensation package also includes
medical, life and disability insurance, paid vacation,
participation in the firm’s generous retirement
plan and bar association membership.
Each summer the firm hires second and sometimes first
year law students. Many of the firm’s attorneys
came to the firm as part of the summer associate program
although participating as a summer clerk is not a prerequisite
to later employment as an associate. Summer associates
are assigned to work for three partners every two weeks
which gives them exposure to all of the firm’s practice
areas. Summer associates engage in a fair amount of research
and writing but are also encouraged to observe trials,
motions, depositions, closings, will executions and client
interviews. Most summer associates find that they are
able to narrow their legal interests after receiving exposure
to the firm’s many practice areas.
