They cover topics relating to specific practice areas, as well as broader issues such as working with support staff, effective lawyering, and a legal writing workshop. Your group will also send you to continuing legal education courses relating to your practice. The Firm also sponsors a Mentor Program for all new associates in which we will assign to you an associate and a partner mentor from your practice group to ensure that you are integrated into your practice group and the Firm as a whole. The mentors act as advisors, helping you to become acquainted with the Firm and our practice, and also giving guidance with regard to professional development. Naturally, the most important source of training you will receive is the daily guidance and advice from the other lawyers you will work with.
All associates are also eligible for a year-end bonus determined by a formal review process.
The set of factors that determine bonus include include ability as a lawyer, standing in the profession and the community, time and attention given to the practice of law, ability to satisfy and develop clients, non-billable endeavors, teamwork, and development of new areas of expertise. For comparison purposes, you should consider the cost of living in Minneapolis versus other large cities. We will also pay for you to move to the Twin Cities, if necessary, and provide a moving company to assist with that move. The Firm also will reimburse you for your annual attorney licensing fee, membership in the Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations membership fees and the costs of Continuing Legal Education course requirements. Currently, six lawyers are working on reduced time schedules.