Professional Development

New Department
In 2011, the firm formed a new Professional Development Department to coordinate and expand the firm's existing training programs. This is a significant initiative that reflects the commitment of the firm's management to ensuring that associates get the excellent training needed to develop into successful partners.

Training
The firm has both a litigation training program and a transactional training program for associates. These programs begin with a boot camp held for new associates within a month of their start date. Every year thereafter, we provide additional training programs to enable our associates to develop the skills they need to reach their annual benchmarks. The programs are facilitated by a combination of Jackson Walker attorneys and outside expert consultants. Training does not stop when you make partner; the firm also offers partners individual and group business development coaching programs.

Mentoring
Some of the best training you will receive is hands-on mentoring from the senior associates and partners at the firm. This starts during the summer program and continues with a formal firmwide mentoring program for associates. In addition to the formal mentor program, there are also plenty of opportunities for informal mentoring relationships to develop naturally as a result of the low associate-to-partner ratio (approximately 1:2).

Associate Evaluations & Feedback
Associates are evaluated twice a year and provided with formal feedback. This is essential to ensure that all associates are developing the skills they need, and so that the firm can provide individual associates with extra training and support if needed.