Training

Some of the most important professional development in an associate's career occurs by practicing law under the guidance of experienced practitioners. To ensure the acquisition of essential skills, the firm has established a formal professional development program. The goal of the firm's Professional Development Committee is to foster training of associates so that they are prepared to assume appropriate responsibility early in their careers. The transfer of responsibility is as essential to the firm's commitment to efficient client service as it is to our commitment to the steady professional development of our junior lawyers. Upon arrival at the firm, each incoming associate is assigned a more senior lawyer as a mentor. When permanent assignments to specific practice groups are made in the Spring of each new associate's first year, mentor assignments may be adjusted so that each junior associate has a more senior mentor in the appropriate practice group. The mentor works with the Professional Development Committee to ensure that each associate gets a range of experiences commensurate with seniority and ability.

Dow Lohnes regularly offers a variety of in-house seminars designed to expose junior lawyers and summer associates to the rudiments of our various practices and actively encourages participation in continuing legal education seminars offered each year throughout the country. In addition, Dow Lohnes has instituted a speaker series where experts in the field come to talk to the associates about how to be a successful practitioner in that field. Speakers may include general counsels from major organizations, academics, legislators and many others.

In addition, as associates become more senior, they meet with and are counseled by the Business Development Committee so the associates receive training on how to create relationships with new clients in addition to serving existing clients. This professional development prepares senior associates for the transition to partner status.