We are committed to supporting all of our attorneys in achieving success in their practices. The motto of the professional development department is "Aligning Talent to Strategy—Equipping Our Attorneys with the Skills to Meet the Challenge." This means we are focused on supporting the business needs and goals of each practice group and each attorney. And it means that our training and development initiatives are relevant, timely and hands-on. We have a strong belief in on-the-job learning, and to providing the work opportunities, mentoring, coaching and feedback that make it happen.
We focus our professional development efforts on the following core initiatives:
- First-year associate program
- Lateral orientation
- Mentoring program
- Performance guidelines
- Career development plans
- Continuing legal education
- Performance reviews
First-year associate program
First-year associates have particular needs as they get acclimated to the firm. We help you make the transition to active practice through monthly trainings and intranet resources on a variety of topics to help you meet the challenges of your first year. A peer liaison will assist with your integration. Once you have chosen a practice group to join, you will also be assigned a mentor to support your practice development.
Lateral orientation
As a lateral attorney, you will receive the full benefit of our lateral orientation process. This includes being assigned a practice group mentor and a peer liaison as well as a point person from the professional development department. Your point person will meet with you at regular intervals to ensure your integration is going smoothly and to support you with coaching as required. Lateral recruits speak very highly of the personal attention they receive during this process.
Mentoring program
All associates and lateral attorneys have the opportunity to select a mentor from a pool of qualified, interested and experienced mentors. There is an initial training program for mentors and mentees to discuss expectations and set the stage for a successful relationship. Mentors are more experienced lawyers who can act as a sounding board and help you navigate your career development through informal coaching, feedback and advice. Mentor pairs are reviewed regularly to ensure relevance and value.
Performance Guidelines
To help associates develop the specific skills they need to succeed in their chosen practice area, each practice group has developed a set of guidelines to help associates target appropriate work opportunities.
Career development plans
Individual career development plans are at the heart of the attorney professional development experience. Each associate is expected to develop such a plan, which serves as a guide for ongoing learning and development. Coaches from the professional development team will work with you to ensure you are getting the training, mentoring, coaching and work experience you need—in short, the skills to meet the challenge.
Continuing legal education
We offer an extensive internal and external CLE program that is specific to each practice group. In 2008, we offered more than 100 CLE courses, covering specific areas of practice, legal ethics, practice development and more. Programs may be live or Web-based, or videotaped so you can review them on your own time. We also tap into various third-party programs such as those offered by PLI and West LegalEdCenter. Many of our programs are taught by Davis Wright Tremaine partners as part of regular practice group meetings. This year we plan to implement a sophisticated tool for tracking and managing your CLE experience.
Performance reviews
Our attorney evaluation committee is charged with evaluation of all associates in the firm. Through this process your professional development plan is reviewed and goals are established for the following year. You will receive feedback and follow-up on your goals from your coach throughout the year.
Professional development team
Our director of professional development is an attorney who understands the requirements of busy attorneys. He is supported by a professional development team that includes a Davis Wright Tremaine practicing attorney as well as dedicated professionals who are focused on assisting you develop the skills you need to succeed through a combination of feedback, coaching and training.