The Firm also encourages associates to attend or participate in national and local continuing legal education programs and conferences. In addition to the formal training program, the Firm endeavors to allow associates, if they so choose, to be exposed early in their careers to both of the Firm's principal practice sections. The approach to associate placement within the Firm is a flexible one, based primarily on the needs of the Firm, the interests of the associate, and the associate's abilities. Responsibility, including contact with clients and court appearances, comes quickly to those who demonstrate willingness, ability and capacity to take charge of a matter and achieve results. We take feedback and mentoring of associates very seriously at Morris James.
Associates receive informal critiques from the partners supervising their work.
Additionally, associates are assigned to partner mentors, with whom they are encouraged to meet informally at least on a bimonthly basis to discuss workload, progress on assignments, and specific issues related to the associate's cases or development. The partners formally evaluate the work of each associate on an annual basis, and a committee of partners provides each associate with formal, constructive feedback and assessment of his or her work. The Firm's attorneys engage in many professional activities which extend beyond the private practice of law. The Firm encourages, but does not require, attorneys to lecture, publish, engage in pro-bono work in the community, as well as participate on professional committees and in community and charitable affairs and activities. The Firm is committed to offering salaries competitive with other major law firms in the region.