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- The 20 Best Companies: Where Women Are Part of the Club
- Working Mother Magazine Names 50 Best Firms for Women
- Harvard Business School Publishes Case Study of Duane Morris
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[ Associates ]
Duane Morris is committed to the ongoing professional development of all attorneys in the firm. Through formal training programs and varied work experiences, associates have the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. We evaluate and enhance the training programs on an ongoing basis and continually strive to improve the overall experience of associates at the firm. Please explore all of our various programs for associates.
Training and Career Development
Incoming associates participate in an extensive orientation program specifically geared to their needs. Training sessions focus on both substantive and practical skills and facilitate each associate's transition from an academic environment to the professional workplace. The orientation program also enables new lawyers to meet and learn from more experienced attorneys practicing throughout the firm.
The firm offers a training program that emphasizes the practical application of legal skills. Many sessions address emerging developments in corporate, real estate, bankruptcy, tax, environmental, employment and labor law and the impact of those developments on our clients. In addition, special training sessions focus on computer technology, effective writing and legal research, trial advocacy, the art of negotiation, professional responsibility, interviewing and listening skills, public speaking skills and media relations skills. Both partners and associates participate in the professional development program, enabling them to exchange ideas and to enhance their legal and interpersonal skills. In addition, outside consultants bring special expertise and perspectives to the program. Our lawyers also have the opportunity to attend and participate in educational conferences sponsored by bar and other trade associations across the country.
Mentoring Program
At Duane Morris, we believe a formal training and development program is complemented by a strong commitment on the part of senior lawyers to act as mentors to less experienced attorneys. Each associate is assigned a mentor in his or her practice area soon after arriving at the firm. With guidance from their mentors, associates prepare professional development plans outlining professional goals, as well as goals for client development, community involvement and activities at Duane Morris. Mentors and associates meet formally and informally on an ongoing basis and once a year jointly evaluate the associates' progress, revising and setting new goals for the coming year.
Our associates work with lawyers of diverse backgrounds, levels of experience, talents and interests. As they work together, associates naturally develop close relationships with their mentors and other senior lawyers who are able to guide them on work-related matters, professional activities and personal pursuits. Associates have the opportunity to interact with exceptional individuals who have contributed significantly to the firm and the community at large. Many of these individuals are members of the firm's governing board and serve as role models to associates who aspire to their own positions of leadership and service.
Associates Committee
The firm has established a self-nominating Associates Committee comprised of approximately 33 associates representing all departments and offices. The purpose of the Committee is to develop ways to enhance associate life and career development programs at the firm. The Committee meets regularly with the chairman of the firm, providing a forum to communicate openly and frequently about the firm's policies, strategic plan and other areas of interest. Our director of legal recruiting also attends the meetings and acts as a liaison to the committee. Additionally, associates are given the opportunity to participate in our recruiting program. A number of associates serve on the firm's Recruitment and Retention Committee and are responsible for interviewing applicants and making hiring recommendations to the Partners Board. Four associates oversee the summer program and help to evaluate the summer associates' progress, while others act as mentors.
Publishing and Public Speaking
Our partners and associates are encouraged to publish articles in legal journals and other publications. Writing articles enhances our lawyers' understanding of the law and helps to advance their stature in the legal and business communities. Our attorneys contribute to a broad range of print and online publications. In addition, approximately 25 associates and 20 partners contribute to a book the firm publishes annually concerning developments in reorganization and commercial finance law. Our lawyers also participate in seminars and panel presentations for current and prospective clients as well as professional organizations and community groups. Many associates take the opportunity to enhance their public speaking skills by working with communications professionals in advance of their presentations. These activities build confidence and skills critical to our associates' development as effective lawyers.
Please contact our recruiting staff for more information.
Peggy Simoncini Pasquay
Manager of Attorney Recruitment and Relations
Duane Morris LLP
30 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
215.979.1161