Law Firm Best Practices for Junior Associates

This program discusses law firms of all sizes and the skills attorneys require for a successful legal career.  During the first half of the program, Ms. Molenda will discuss how law firms run as a business. Defining common terminology, the types and structures of law firms, the organizational charts, and breaking down the financial model. By demystifying how law firms are structured and managed, the course will help attendees better understand how legal work is assigned, evaluated, and ultimately valued within a law firm setting.

The second part of the program will delve into the expectations of associates at law firms and how to leverage the understanding of the business of law firms to establish a successful career.  Ms. Molenda will offer insights that are many times learned too late and provide actionable takeaways to implement on topics ranging from partner expectations and ways to efficiently bill time to building your brand and networking.

This course is designed to offer junior associates, particularly first-generation attorneys who had little to no knowledge of the law firm industry prior to law school, the foundation to confidently enter and strategically develop and build a strong and successful career.

Learning Objectives:

• Define common terms used to characterize law firms and in law firm operations.
• Examine the different types of law firms and how they may be structured. 
• Distinguish personnel and models for operating based on law firm size and practice area(s).
• Explain the business aspects of and financial management within the law firm setting.
• Recognize the expectations and professional dynamics for associates.
• Determine ways to take ownership of an assignment and become the relied-upon associate.
• Formulate strategies for career advancement within a law firm environment.