|
New lawyers receive immediate hands-on experience — the most important training ground in the Firm — and participate in formal and informal training programs organized by each department. The traditional classroom training that begins at orientation continues throughout the year with a series of courses taught by Simpson partners as well as experts from outside the Firm.
For instance, new litigation associates attend an intensive course on the basics of litigation practice. This course is organized around the various stages of litigation – such as pleadings, discovery, motions, trials, and appeals – and focuses on the practical aspects of working as a young litigator at the Firm. New corporate associates also attend training programs for each of their rotations. These programs review the primary laws, transactions, and documents relevant to each group’s practice.
New associates are encouraged to participate in the many Continuing Legal Education classes we offer. The Firm holds over 200 live classes per year, on topics ranging from basic overviews of practice areas to sophisticated discussions of recent legal developments. One class that is especially popular is our public speaking workshop, which we offer several times per year to afford associates the opportunity to practice public speaking and receive feedback in a small, supportive group setting.
Of course, formal classroom training is just one component of associate development at the Firm. Partners here maintain an open door policy to discuss work and work-life issues at any time. This policy contributes greatly to our collegial learning atmosphere and encourages new associates to ask questions and seek guidance from more experienced lawyers. — Laura Murphy, Manager of Litigation Training
|
