What kind of orientation does the firm provide?
Buddies - To facilitate the new lawyers'
orientation in and involvement with the firm, Wiggin and Dana pairs each new
associate with an associate and partner buddy. These buddies are lawyers to
whom the new associates can turn with any questions or concerns they may have
about their work assignments, their experiences at Wiggin and Dana, or the firm
in general.
Orientation Series - The orientation program is
designed to help new lawyers become familiar with the firm and improve certain
skills that they will need in their first year. The program typically consists
of weekly lunch meetings, covering a variety of introductory topics including
the firm's history; its clients and plans for future growth; conflicts and
confidentiality; the business aspects of running a law firm; the firm's
expectations of associates; practical tips for new lawyers given by Wiggin and
Dana's second year associates; an introduction to the firm's paralegals; and
the basics of short calendar. A panel of lawyers or paralegals leads the
discussion at each meeting, sometimes using handouts, powerpoint, or videotapes
to enhance the presentation.
Are new attorneys immediately assigned to a particular department?
No.Wiggin and Dana does not hire first
year lawyers for a specific department nor do we have a formal rotation system.
An administrator is responsible for distributing work assignments to the first
year lawyers from the time they arrive at Wiggin and Dana until March of the following
year. The “work coordinator” gathers assignments from all of the departments
and practice groups, assigns the work to the new associates, and keeps a record
of the different assignments that each associate has completed. After the
initial assignment is made, the new associates work directly with the lawyer or
lawyers for whom the job is being done. This system allows the associates to
obtain experience in a variety of areas and to work with many partners during
their first several months at Wiggin and Dana. Over time, the associate
identifies the areas that appeal to him or her, and usually affiliates with a
department sometime near the end of the first year.
Describe the review process.
Annual Review - All associates receive a formal
annual review of their work in the spring. If an associate has not yet
affiliated with a department, the Committee for Unaffiliated Associates
conducts the review. Thereafter, the reviews are done within the various
departments. All reviews are based on comments from all the partners with whom
the associate has worked.
Project Feedback - In addition to the formal reviews, associates receive instructive comments from
partners throughout the year while projects are underway.
What kind of training can I expect?
In-House Training by Department - Associates, including those who
have not yet affiliated with a department, are encouraged to attend various
training sessions that the departments frequently hold throughout the year. For
example, the litigation department offers a series of seminars on a variety of
topics, including motion practice in state and federal court, representing the
large corporation, electronic discovery, and how to settle a case. The
litigation department also organizes an annual mock trial program in the
spring, using materials from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, which
gives litigation associates an opportunity to practice and improve their
courtroom skills. The corporate department provides seminars on selected
topics, including drafting and negotiating contracts, preparing opinion
letters, and setting up a limited liability company.
Outside Seminars - Associates at all levels routinely
participate in educational programs and seminars outside of the office that
will expose them to new areas of the law or strengthen their knowledge in areas
already familiar to them.
Firm-Wide Training Programs - Programs available to all
attorneys include seminars on writing, public speaking, marketing and the
interpretation of financial statements.
On the Job - New associates work closely with
partners and take an active role in transactions and proceedings.They receive early opportunities to work
directly with clients and to represent the firm outside the office.
