Associate Training Program - Laterals

Associate Training Program

At Maslon, we believe that training is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, our training program is customized and includes a tailored mix of hands-on experience, practical substantive training sessions, and outside training. Here's an overview of the program components:

• Hands-On Guidance
  Each Maslon associate is paired with a Training Partner, who helps the associate assess his or her level of ability and identify skill areas in which to gain increasing experience in the coming year. The Training Partner ensures that the associate has access to an appropriate mix of practical experiences, solicits skill evaluations from partners working with the associate, and provides feedback to the associate throughout the year on his or her development progress.
• Customized Professional Development Plans
  Each associate completes an annual Practice Development Plan (PDP) with his or her Training Partner, which identifies skill competencies achieved and legal competencies yet to be developed. The PDP then identifies appropriate methods for the associate to gain the desired skill competencies in the coming year. Legal skills can be sharpened using a variety of methods, including hands-on work experiences, a writing program, outside CLE courses, targeted research, and attending monthly firm-sponsored training seminars.
• Firm Sponsored Training Seminars
  The firm provides regular structured training using a multi-pronged approach:
  • New Associate Training: To become acquainted with the firm, its systems, and its administrative areas, all new associates complete a two-day orientation to the firm during their first week at the firm.
    To learn in-depth firm information, new associates also attend weekly New Associate Lunches throughout their first several months with the firm. These sessions provide important background on a variety of topics that our attorneys need to know to function in the firm. Topics include: the firm's history, practice areas and capabilities, firm clients, firm operational systems, diversity, timekeeping and billing protocol, firm legal research resources, records and conflicts, and other firm administrative functions. The goal of Maslon's New Associate training is to fully orient new members to the firm.
  • Associate Training: Associates attend regularly scheduled training sessions on particular core substantive areas of law. These sessions are presented by firm partners and outside experts, and commercial and litigation associates may attend separate training tracks.
  • Additional Training: Associates can also attend additional training programs, offered throughout the year, which provide in-depth training on practical skills, client service, marketing, discussions of new law, ethics and malpractice issues, client management skills, supervisory skills, etc.

By participating in our training program, each Maslon associate has the opportunity to provide input in the direction of his or her development, resulting in a training plan that is customized to achieve their individual annual development goals, while better preparing the associate for partnership in our firm.