Life Inside the Firm
Associates have the opportunity to become involved in firm life almost immediately through team meetings, retreats and training sessions. You might say that our associates "hit the ground running." But, if they need assistance along the way, members of the Associates Committee, comprised of a group of partners drawn from across the firm's offices and teams, serve as Ombudsmen and provide support however and whenever it is needed.
Each office also has an Associate Advisory Committee ("AAC"), comprised of associates, which facilitates dialogue across offices and provides a venue for sharing best practices. In addition, the AAC offers associates the opportunity to take leadership roles in their offices and to provide input to firm management on initiatives designed to make the firm a better place to work. AAC members help plan events, conduct associate surveys, communicate needs, and provide outreach to speakers, as well as office, firm and practice leadership.
In addition to the informal mentoring relationships that are nurtured and naturally develop within our team and practice group structures, the firm has implemented a formal mentoring program for young associates, which is coordinated by the Office of Lawyer Recruiting and Development. All first- and second-year associates are paired with senior associates from their own practice areas to serve as "coaches" during their first two years at the firm. To ensure success, we monitor the program at regular intervals throughout the year to be sure it is working well for both coach and protégé.
Female attorneys also have the opportunity to become involved with our Women's Networking Forum ("WNF"). Designed to help professional women develop relationships, advance careers and enrich their personal and professional lives, we have WNF chapters in Charlotte, Dallas, New York, Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Each chapter regularly holds business development, social and educational events for chapter members and clients that are geared to the lives and interests of successful women. For more information, click here.
Recruiting is another area of firm life in which our associates may become involved early in their careers at Hunton & Williams. We have a Campus Recruiting and Outreach Team ("CRO Team") for each law school at which we recruit, and associates are invited to join any school team or teams in which they have an interest. Although many associates become involved with their alma mater, this is not a requirement for team membership. The CRO Teams develop yearly recruiting plans, sponsor campus events, and communicate regularly with students, faculty, and administrators at their assigned schools to enhance our recruiting efforts.
As associates gain experience and seniority, more opportunities for involvement in firm initiatives, programs and committees become available. At Hunton & Williams, putting your leadership skills and talents to use is a priority.
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"I can't tell you what a benefit it is to have an experienced attorney at the firm to call on whenever I have questions. It is especially nice to have a senior associate down the hall who is willing, not only to listen to my questions and concerns, but also to provide advice and answers whenever possible."
-- Lisa Spreitzer, Associate, Atlanta
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