Professional Development

Our commitment to training runs through every aspect of the firm — from our hiring approach and our in-house training programs, to our client services committee and our shareholder structure. Here's how it works:

It Starts With Hiring

If we extend an offer to you, we believe you have the skills and potential for a successful career in IP law and, ultimately, to become a shareholder in the firm. This long-term investment strategy requires an ongoing commitment to multi-dimensional training.

Formal Training

We run a complete series of introductory and advanced classes geared to the different stages of your career development.

New technology specialists take part in a number of structured basic training courses.

Your orientation to the firm traditionally begins with two days of seminars on essential aspects of intellectual property law to ground you in the basics. Thereafter, you will take part in repeated classes on the fundamentals of U.S. and international IP practice.

All firm members, including new technology specialists, participate in our Federal Circuit Case Review Program. Through the review and analysis of patent decisions of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), you will stay current with IP law changes and improve your practice skills.

We don't just teach you about IP; we teach you the wide range of skills necessary to a successful legal practice. Regular classes are held on topics as diverse as advanced legal research skills, client development, relevant business and industry issues, and integration of your practice with the various departments in the firm responsible for functions such as international patent filing.

Outside Training Courses

To provide you with additional educational opportunities, our Training Committee maintains a database of course descriptions and recommendations for all major outside courses relating to IP. You will also have an annual budget for such training-related matters as books, half- or one-day local seminars, and state bar programs.

Informal Learning Experiences

You'll find training to be an important component of planned activities at both the firm and practice group levels. For example, our bi-weekly attorney lunches often have presentations on noteworthy IP developments and cutting edge practice points, and occasionally feature outside speakers and client panels.

At the practice group level, the bi-weekly or monthly practice group meetings you'll attend frequently involve training or educational components prepared by one or more group members. In addition, you'll be updated on the practice management, business development, hiring, and training activities of the firm's other practice groups through regular presentations to the firm.

Presentations by administrative departments on various business aspects of the firm, including firm governance and finance, will provide you with a greater understanding of the many economic issues facing law firms today. Of course, some of the best training you'll receive is simply from working one-on-one with a shareholder or senior associate on a particular client case or matter. You'll find those with whom you work will check in with you often to offer guidance, answer questions, or discuss ideas for different options or strategies for the case at hand.

Client Relations/Business Development Training

We believe in giving tech specs direct client contact early in their careers. To help you develop the skills you will need to build and maintain long-term relationships with clients, our Client Services Department presents a formal training program on client management and communication issues, as well as networking and business development.

Mentoring

You will have a mentor, either a shareholder or associate, who will serve as an advisor to you. These mentors are in place to provide guidance and answer questions you may have about the firm and your work assignments.

Training is Core to Our Strategic Plan

Our emphasis on formal and informal training was a natural outcome of the firm's strategic plan, which calls for a focus on attracting the best talent, providing them with a mix of challenging work, and offering a wide range of training and educational experiences to ensure their rapid professional development.

Our shareholder compensation structure also underscores our commitment to training. We reward lawyers who spend time training and mentoring associates and tech specs—a critical investment in our future.