These meetings allow associates to learn from more experienced attorneys many of the practical and strategic approaches to practicing law. Schnader lawyers frequently find that the very person to answer a challenging question or provide input on an issue sits right next door or is merely an E-mail away. Everyone has an open-door policy, and the firm's associates take advantage of the years of knowledge and experience that surround them. In accordance with the rise of continuing legal education requirements in many states, the firm frequently uses CLE courses to refine lawyers' practical skills or increase their substantive knowledge in a particular area of practice. Schnader associates often attend introductory level courses to help them build a strong foundation in their chosen practice and attend more intensive clinical courses in areas such as negotiation or trial practice.
Associates receive an annual evaluation.
That evaluation includes formal feedback from each partner with whom an associate has worked in a given year. The evaluation meeting also provides associates an opportunity to comment on how the year progressed from the associate's perspective. All of our associates are encouraged to bring to the attention of firm management any issue that may be of concern to them at any time. Associates participate on various firm committees and in practice and client development activities. The firm encourages and supports our associates to publish articles and serve as presenters and as faculty for seminars.