Associate Life

We enjoy an exciting practice that is driven by providing superior service to our clients while preserving the informality, collegiality, and entrepreneurial spirit that are often suppressed in larger firms. Some firms say they are different, but we ARE different because we do not "manage by the numbers." We seek to hire attorneys who share our commitment to hard work, who have unique ideas, and who want to control their own careers and maintain a lifestyle of their own choosing. Associates are hired from our summer associate program, federal judicial clerkships, and directly out of law school.

Assignment Structure:

First-year associates are encouraged to work in a variety of subject areas and for many Principals without being assigned to a specific practice area. Assignments are made through a small central committee that listens carefully to each associate's interests and preferences, and blends that information into a well-rounded professional development curriculum for each associate. We assign front-line responsibility to associates early, from working directly with clients and consultants, to conducting discovery and arguing motions. At their own pace, our associates develop their individual style and carve out their own niche. We devote considerable Principal time and energy to our associates since we know they contribute to our culture and help shape our reputation and our future.

Mentoring, Training and Development, and Promotion:

The first green light for launching our new associates' careers is the appointment of mentors. Each new associate is assigned two Principals who serve as coaches to help them jump-start their careers. These Principals facilitate an associate's introduction to the firm, the legal community, and the practice of law, and then remain to guide that Associate's professional development.

Among the training opportunities available to our new associates are:

• Environmental Law Society's "Boot Camp"
• NITA
• State and Local Bar CLE Programs
• In-house seminars
• One-on-one OJT with our own prominent members of the bar

Our attorneys' practices are not limited by defined practice groups. Practice groups are primarily management tools and are utilized for continuing education, specialized training, and the coordination of the firm's marketing efforts. Associates are encouraged to sample a variety of practice areas, especially in their first few years.

We work individually with each associate to develop a successful and satisfying legal career. To that end, twice annually, each Associate is given an evaluation of his or her professional progress. And, during these bi-annual, inter-active meetings, we encourage and support associates in tailoring their own specific professional development curriculum.

Principals are selected based on an Associate's demonstrated adherence to the highest ethical standards, service to clients and the profession, legal acumen, and firm citizenship. Associates are usually considered eligible to become principals after seven plus years with the firm.

Associates Committee:

Our Associates' Committee is comprised of both Principals and Associates in our largest offices and is charged with addressing issues of particular relevance to Associates. In addition, the Associates' Committee hosts regular meetings and training programs for all associates.

Compensation and Bonuses:

The starting salary for all new associates is $125,000. The firm also awards automatic hours-based bonuses for reaching 1,900 billable hours and another bonus for reaching 2,100 billable hours. Depending on seniority, these hours-based bonuses range from $15,000 to $25,000. Finally, all associates are considered for merit bonuses based on year-end evaluations.

Benefits Summary:

We offer our associates one of the best benefits packages in the country. Following is a summary of our associates' benefits package:

• Group Health/Dental Insurance for Employees, Families and Domestic Partners
• Life Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Policy
• Technology Stipend of $3,500
• 401K Profit Sharing and Trust
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounting for Child and Health Care Expenses
• Pre-tax Transportation Benefit
• Payroll Deduction Savings Plan
• Section 529 College Savings Plan
• Subsidized Health Club Membership (DC only)
• $7,500 stipend for new law school graduates and judicial clerks (upon completion of clerkship)
• Short-Term Disability Benefits up to 70% of Salary
• Long-Term Disability Benefits to Two-thirds of Salary
• Relocation Expense Reimbursement up to $3,000
• Four Weeks of Vacation per Year
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Transfers Between Offices
• 10 Holidays per Year
• Maternity Leave
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Bar Membership
• Paid CLE and MCLE
• Employee Assistance Program