All associates have a chance of building a successful and rewarding career at Thacher Proffitt, because:
- A high level of responsibility is given to junior associates
- We encourage early initiative
- Senior lawyers are very accessible
- We have an open door policy: everyone knows everyone here
- You'll have a good support system
- The Firm isfair to all of its employees
- Friendly people foster a warm atmosphere
Assignments
The Firm does not have a rotation system for first years. Prior to starting, new associates are asked to rank their practice group preferences. Upon arrival, each first year enters a practice group, which generally matches the associate's preference. Each practice group has its own system for assigning work to associates.
Bar Review Expenses and Salary Advance
Thacher Proffitt pays the advance registration tuition of a bar review course for first-year associates and laterally hired associates from out-of-state. In addition, first years may request an interest-free loan of up to $10,000, which is repaid on a monthly basis over the course of the first year of the associate's employment at the Firm.
Performance Reviews
First-year associates receive formal reviews twice during their first year with the Firm. After the first year, associates are reviewed annually using written performance evaluation forms sent to partners and senior associates in the Fall. Reviews based on the written performance evaluation forms are conducted by the associate's supervising partner and a partner on the Legal Personnel Committee.
Training
Associate training is primarily on-the-job, or in connection with specific matters on which they are working. Thacher Proffitt counsels clients with large and complex commercial transactions; cases staffed with teams of lawyers; and small, routine matters staffed with one or two lawyers. This range affords ample opportunity for junior associates who are ready for significant responsibility--it hones their drafting and negotiating experience, court appearances and client contact.
In addition, formal and extensive training programs conducted by each practice group are designed to enhance the substantive knowledge and the skills of associates.
Training Topics Include:
- Ethics Training
- How to Be A Good Associate
- Legal Writing Workshop
- Marketing and an Introduction to Business Development
- Numerous practice specific programs
- Professional Responsibility
- Records Management
- Research Techniques
- Westlaw and Library Usage & Procedures
Pro-Bono
We encourage associates to take on pro-bono matters. Lists of pro-bono cases and projects for not-for-profit groups are circulated monthly. Associates are given billable-hour credit for pre-approved pro-bono work.
Part-time
Most of Thacher Proffitt's part-time associates previously worked a full-time schedule. Requests by an associate to assume a part-time schedule are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the needs of the associate and the practice group.
Partnership Track (as of 07.01.07)
Thacher Proffitt regularly elects new partners and counsel from its associate population.
- 2007
- 3 lateral candidates were admitted as partner
- 1 counsel was admitted as partner
- 3 lateral candidates were admitted as counsel
- 2006
- 7 associates were admitted as partner
- 4 lateral candidates were admitted as partner
- 1 lateral candidate was admitted as counsel
- 2 associates were admitted as counsel
- 2005
- 1 counsel and 7 associates were admitted as partners
- 2 lateral candidates were admitted as partners
- 2 lateral candidates were admitted as counsel
Partnership decisions are generally made between eight and ten years following the arrival at the firm of each associate's law school class.
