New Attorney Training & Development
Troutman Sanders University
Troutman Sanders devotes substantial resources and time to associate development and training. Through formal mentoring programs, a comprehensive curriculum of training courses offered as part of Troutman Sanders University (“TSU”), and specific practice group training, our associates are offered many opportunities to both develop and enhance their professional skills. Firm management and the Director of Professional Development continually analyze our existing development and training programs, looking for opportunities to create new programs that will aid in the success of our associates, as practicing attorneys and within the firm itself.
Troutman Sanders recognizes the value of investing in the professional development and training of our attorneys. The firm offers formal training programs, on a continuing basis, organized under TSU. The TSU curriculum encompasses training designed for all levels, from summer associates to the most senior partners. The training programs are developed by the Professional Development Department with support from the Litigation College Committee and Transactional College Committee. Where appropriate, TSU programs are open to clients.
New Attorney Orientation and New Attorney Training
Formal training begins each fall with the New Attorney Orientation Program. All fall associates travel to the office for the orientation to ensure everyone receives the same initial training and information. Orientation for 2006 new associates will include three and half days of programming. The purpose of New Attorney Orientation is to create a sense of camaraderie among our entry-level associate class and introduce them to the firm's history, culture, administration, and the more practical aspects of practicing law.
New Attorney Training is designed to teach entry-level associates the fundamental skills they need to begin a litigation and/or transactional practice. Starting in October of each year, all entry-level associates participate in a New Attorney Training curriculum as part of either the Litigation College or the Transactional College of TSU. The curricula consist of 101 level courses on litigation and transactional basics, taught mostly by Troutman Sanders partners. The courses are heaviest in the fall and then continue into the beginning of the following year. New Attorney Training sets the groundwork for more advanced, formal and informal training within an associate's specific practice group.
First Year Advisor Program
The purpose of the First Year Advisor Program is to ease the transition from law school to firm life by assigning a First Year Advisor (“FYA”) to all incoming associates. The FYA is a senior associate inside the new associate’s practice group. The FYA’s role is to introduce the new associate to attorneys inside and outside the practice group, answer the new associate’s day-to- day questions, and help the new associate identify partners outside the associate’s practice group who could serve as a Mentor to the new associate under our firm-wide Mentor Program. After an associate has competed his or her first year of practice, the associate is assigned a Mentor based on input from the associate, FYA and partners.
Mentoring Program
The purpose of the Mentor Program is to expand an associate’s social network and perspective on practicing law beyond his or her practice group. Upon completion of the First Year Advisor Program, each associate is assigned a Mentor who is a partner outside of the associate’s practice group. The Mentor’s role is to help introduce the associate to other partners or associates in the firm; generally advise the associate on how to succeed in side and outside the firm; and advise the associate on matters that the associates may be more comfortable addressing outside his or her practice group. The formal mentor relationship continues until the completion of the associate’s fifth year of practice, at which time the relationship becomes voluntary.
Practice Group Training
Practice groups frequently hold a variety of in-house training programs for their members and other interested attorneys within our firm to supplement the general TSU training. Practice group training is focused on more specific skills applicable to the practice group and hot topics in the practice area. Associates also receive invaluable informal training from the attorneys within their practice group. While there is no typical manner in which such informal takes place, associates frequently train by working in supportive roles with more senior attorneys on significant legal matters. To help expand their knowledge and experience, associates are encouraged to work on a broad array of matters with as many different attorneys as possible early in their career.