DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE'S
Early Career Foundations
Skills • Connections • Support
"Our Early Career Foundations program offers attorneys more than just substantive skills training – we want them to come away with a better understanding of our law firm business model and gain time management and leadership development tools. We believe every attorney can thrive at DWT and recognize that these paths look different for each person. We want to help our attorneys build a practice from day one that reminds them why they went to law school."
Early Career Foundations
The Foundations program offers strategic support for attorneys through their third year of practice, whether they join DWT as a summer associate, a lateral or post-clerkship hire.
SKILLS • CONNECTIONS • SUPPORT
Building Skills
The Professional Development team is proud to offer a robust training curriculum that provides strategic support for attorneys through their third year of practice. Our DWT Foundations Curriculum includes over 25 substantive sessions delivered by attorneys and staff within the firm and concludes with DWT Academy: Early Career Foundations, which is the firm’s leadership initiative to provide attorneys with the tools to build a successful and satisfying practice here at the firm.
"At DWT, we understand that the journey from law school to the practice of law is a significant transition. Law school equips you with legal theory, but the practical skills needed to navigate the complexities of a law firm are often learned on the job. That's where we come in. DWT Academy, built by our professional development team, is a comprehensive training initiative that bridges that gap. Our Early Career Foundations program, which starts with our summer associates and continues for three years into practice, is a testament to our firm's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth.”
Fostering Connections
The Foundations program features many organized firmwide social events including interactive workshops, firmwide professional development trainings, and virtual firmwide teambuilding activities. We also match each of our junior associates with a senior lawyer mentor and a peer liaison when they join the firm. Mentors are there to provide coaching and guidance to associates on a multitude of matters, including career and business development.
"We all know establishing good connections is one of the most valuable skills for any professional. A strong network and community can help you identify the right opportunities for your professional growth, offer meaningful mentorships, and create an environment where we can all feel free to be who we are, which helps us feel engaged and satisfied. Learning to build good connections is a skill you must develop early in your career and practice consistently. At DWT, we have a team of professionals with deep knowledge and extensive experience in relationship building who can strategically offer you different opportunities to foster great connections. We are here to help you thrive beyond your dreams."
Providing Support
Each of our junior associates meets periodically with our Early Career Associate Development Manager to discuss strategies for success, practice group involvement, connections with key stakeholders, firm policies, upcoming processes like evaluation cycles, workflow, and mentoring. The Foundations program also connects our associates with extensive internal and external resources, including training videos, DWT resources, professional development coaching and access to legal writing experts, as needed.
"Starting a legal career today looks a lot different than it did even a few years ago. It’s easy to feel isolated and alone. As Early Career Associate Development Manager, I support our junior attorneys from their 1L summer through their third year as an associate, creating consistency and connection as they transition from law school into law practice. Through regular 1:1 check-ins, I’m able to connect our junior associates with each other, additional resources, and help them understand what their priorities should be at this stage of the game."
What Our Summer Associates
Had to Say
Ellie Pakzad
“One thing that really stood out for me at DWT was the culture. The level of mentorship and engagement that I received just from my OCI interviews alone meant so much and really helped DWT stand out."
Ellie Pakzad
K’reisa Cox
“You’re not only going to learn about the firm, but also about who you are and what you’re interested in as a lawyer.”
Libby Smith
“I was given responsibility and autonomy in a way that I didn’t expect, and it pushed me to grow in a way that I have really appreciated.”
Alysa Mo
“The biggest highlight from the summer associate retreat was meeting the other summers from offices across the country and getting to build those relationships.”
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