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What is the partnership track at Preti Flaherty?
Attorneys are hired at Preti Flaherty with the expectation that they will
eventually become partners in the firm. The normal partnership track for new
associates is 8 years, but the firm recognizes that each attorney develops
differently, and has accelerated the partnership track for attorneys who have
reached the level of professional development synonymous with being a partner in
the firm. The firm also recognizes prior experience and develops partnership
expectations on a case by base basis with lateral hires. Associates reaching the
partnership level usually become non-equity partners first, although the firm
also has promoted associates directly to equity partner. Non-equity partners
have a competitive compensation program, and participate in most of the firm
decisions.
What is the firm's billable hour requirement for
associates?
The firm does not have a set minimum billable hour requirement for
associates. On average over the past three years, full-time associates at Preti
Flaherty have billed between 1700-1800 hours per year. While billable hours are
one way to assess an associate's professional development, the firm believes
that other aspects of an associate's work are even more important in measuring
progress, including the quality of the work produced and the associates'
interactions with other attorneys and clients. For new attorneys, the most
important thing is to learn how to be a good lawyer.
What is the starting salary for new associates?
New associates at Preti Flaherty are paid a salary that is at the top of the
pay scale for the region. In addition to salary, all associates have the
opportunity to receive bonuses, which are tied to production. Preti Flaherty
also has an excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance,
life insurance, 401(k) plan and money purchase pension plan.
What is the firm's associate training program?
The firm's Professional Development Committee is devoted to the professional
and personal development of each of its associates. Early on, associates are
provided with a base of training in topics ranging from firm administration and
billing, the business aspects of being a lawyer, taking depositions, to
conceptualizing the document drafting process. This training is focused on
younger attorneys, but continues throughout an associate's career. Each
associate's skills and abilities are assessed on a periodic basis by the
Professional Development Committee and additional individual training is
provided as needed.
In addition to its formalized training process, Preti Flaherty's strength
lies in its partners' willingness to fully engage associates in "at-the-elbow"
training experiences. Preti Flaherty associates are trusted to work directly
with clients, and to perform on their own. Preti Flaherty also provides each
attorney with a seminar budget to allow associates to attend seminars and other
professional development training programs.
How are associates assigned work?
For associates that are new attorneys, Preti Flaherty assigns 50% of their
time to one particular practice group. The balance of associates' time is spent
working with attorneys in different practice areas. This allows new associates
to explore a variety of practice areas before working toward a specialty over
time. Associates' workloads are monitored by the Professional Development
Committee to ensure that work experiences are balanced and varied. New
associates are also assigned both a junior and senior mentor, whose roles are to
provide guidance and be a sounding board for the new attorney.
How are associates reviewed?
New associates receive a formal review every six months for the first two
years they are with the firm. Thereafter, associates receive a formal review
annually. Attorneys for whom they have done substantial work during the year
review them and each associate is also asked to review him or herself. The
Professional Development Committee also reviews associates based on the quality
of their written work, legal analysis, interpersonal skills, and their progress
in professional development. Associates perform thorough self-evaluations to
develop career and personal goals, and to ensure their continued progress in
professional development.
What is the firm's attitude toward client development?
Preti Flaherty recognizes that the key to client development is to first be
an excellent lawyer and the firm provides its attorneys with the training and
professional development support needed to excel in the practice of law. Preti
Flaherty also recognizes that the practice of law is a business and the key to
any successful business is continued growth. For those attorneys seeking to
market their skills, the firm provides the necessary tools and assistance. Preti
Flaherty has an in-house marketing department to provide assistance in preparing
promotional materials and organizing conferences and other events. The firm also
provides funding to practice groups and individual attorneys to be used in the
marketing of their practices.
What is the firm's position with respect to pro bono
activities?
Preti Flaherty believes strongly in the importance of giving back to the
community through pro bono programs and by being active in community
organizations. Although the firm does not have a structured pro bono program,
the firm itself is an active sponsor of pro bono legal services through the
Volunteer Lawyers Project, and also supports programs for pro bono legal
services for victims of domestic violence. Attorneys in the firm have provided
pro bono legal services to many individuals and organizations. They participate
on boards of many local and national charitable and civic organizations,
including Goodwill Industries, Maine Handicapped Skiing, Maine Elder Legal
Services, Family Violence Project, U.S. Olympic Committee, Portland Symphony
Orchestra, American Red Cross, and the Holocaust Human Rights Center of Maine.
They serve as members of town councils, school boards, planning boards and other
boards and committees in their communities. Attorneys in the firm have been
active in party politics for both major political parties, and have held state
and national leadership roles. The firm encourages all of these activities, and
supports its attorneys in their efforts.
What makes Preti Flaherty special as a law firm?
Preti Flaherty is a firm that contains a diverse group of individuals who
bring different life experiences and different points of view to the table.
While different in many ways, they all share the common traits of being
intelligent, hard working and creative and of providing excellent service to
their clients. The firm as a whole has a "can do" approach to meeting client's
needs. Preti Flaherty also believes in the importance of giving back, and
encourages the active participation of its attorneys in the local community and
in the world at large.
What opportunities for judicial clerks exist at Preti
Flaherty?
We are committed to hiring a highly talented and diverse mix of associates,
many who come directly from law school or from a judicial clerkship. Several of
our associates completed trial and appellate clerkships at the state level, and
an associate in our litigation group was recently chosen for a highly
competitive federal clerkship for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. We
value the unique skills and legal experience judicial clerks bring to the firm.
“When I was offered a clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence
Thomas, everyone at Preti encouraged the experience and shared in my excitement
when I accepted the offer. Whether it’s personal or professional achievements,
this is a very supportive culture.” – Patrick Strawbridge, Litigation
Department
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