We encourage associates to assume significant responsibility for client matters early in their careers. This is consistent with our goal to help lawyers at the firm develop rapidly into flexible, well-rounded professionals. We recognize that successful professional and personal development does not happen without a deeply ingrained institutional commitment to training.
We structure our internal training programs in part to aid associates make the transition from education to practice. Our approach is to integrate the teaching of substantive legal and business concepts with the practical examples of issues that commonly arise in our client engagements. To that end, we provide associates with the opportunity to receive on-the-job training from senior lawyers, as well as to participate in practical and comprehensive formal training programs.
In addition to firm-wide training lunches on various topics, each office of the firm tailors its training programs to its associates and the practice mix in that office. For example, practice groups sponsor a series of seminars and case studies designed for new lawyers. Lawyers in all practice areas at all levels of seniority are encouraged to attend these programs. The firm’s training and professional development efforts for all lawyers also include periodic practice group lunches where presentations are given and discussions held on legal issues relevant to our practice.
There are also annual or bi-annual pan-European practice group meetings, which not only serve an educational purpose, but also allow colleagues from different offices a chance to get to know each other better.
In an effort to help our lawyers who are admitted to the New York Bar comply with the continuing legal education requirements, the firm has become an accredited New York CLE provider. Lawyers can obtain all required New York CLE credits by attending in-house programs.