Career Opportunities

Career Development

Mentoring Program

Our mentoring program matches each first-year associate with a mentor who assists in his or her training and development. This formal program includes working directly with clients—not just other members of the firm.

Associates are advised of their progress on a regular basis. This ensures they have the feedback they need to move forward in their careers. Evaluations are coupled with face-to-face discussions regarding professional development. For new associates, these reviews are ongoing, with formal, written evaluations occurring semiannually.

Associate Academy

Held annually, the Associate Academy assists new associates in:
 

• Building effective analysis and negotiation skills
• Acquiring business development skills
• Gaining skills that enhance competitive advantage in business
• Developing communication skills
• Drafting commercial agreements or developing client interviewing skills

The Associate Academy provides an excellent opportunity to interact with the firm's partners, many of whom are involved in the development and delivery of the curriculum. The program includes presentations on hot business topics, such as the global economy, latest court decisions, and perspectives from management on the firm's heritage, practice and contributions to the successes of our clients. The program features a mix of speakers from the firm's lawyers and management as well as notable outside speakers.

To read more about Associate Academy, click for our LEAP newsletter.

Above: The 2010 Associate Academy Class

In Their Own Words: Reflections on Associate Academy

"One of the highlights of the Associate Academy for me was the practice group specific sessions for transactional attorneys. These sessions were filled with information on accounting basics, transactional tax considerations and corporate document drafting.  "I often refer to the training materials we were given in my daily practice. I believe these sessions provided me with a strong foundation for developing a sound transactional practice and connected me with attorneys throughout the firm I can seek out for answers when I have questions. "The sessions on communication skills, negotiation and career development provided me with a focused action plan for my development as an attorney at Baker Hostetler. The amount of time and effort the firm put into the Associate Academy showed me that the firm truly has a vested interest in my continued success as a legal practitioner." Mark Hatcher, Associate, Columbus Office

"The experience was what I expected and so much more. My colleagues in Houston told me that the Associate Academy would be a great experience, but I didn't fathom how much fun it would be until I experienced it firsthand. Not only did I learn more about the firm and how to become a better lawyer, I formed friendships with associates from other offices that I hope will last a lifetime.

"I have seen immediate benefits from the training I received at the Associate Academy. Scott Damon [Orlando partner] and Ona Wang [New York partner] conducted a session on pre-trial preparation that has been very helpful in performing my assignments—from filing a complaint to drafting and responding to discovery.

"While I had taken courses in law school relating to pre-trial litigation, learning how to tailor these skills to Baker Hostetler has been very useful."

• Jim Nye, Associate, Houston Office

Above: Jim Nye (second row, right) and other new associates listening to Scott Damon's presentation