Professional Development

Mentoring & Training

Mentoring

At Weil, we place a high priority on mentoring relationships, both formal and informal. The professional development that takes place organically through day-to-day mentoring is invaluable. Upon arrival at the firm, each new associate is paired with a New Associate Partner/Counsel Advisor and an Associate Mentor. These relationships last through the first two years of an associate’s time at Weil. At the start of their third year, associates request a choice of preference for a Partner Mentor. Associates at the second-year level and above also have the option of joining mentoring circles.

Additionally, informal mentoring relationships are encouraged throughout each associate’s career. This includes providing extra insight, coaching, or tips on how to impress clients by delivering stellar work. Along with offering instruction, guidance and feedback on an ongoing basis, senior attorneys support associates in fashioning a sustainable work-life balance.

Training

Weil associates begin their training at the firm through New Associate Orientation and then continue this training through both department-specific trainings and general professional development offerings.  The firm conducts over 250 in-house training programs and workshops across all of our departments and practice areas, including Litigation Workshops, Private Equity Institutes and many more. Through our Weil Business Academy initiative, associates learn skills relating to Team Management, Communication, Tech Skills, Negotiation and more. A key element of our Weil Business Academy initiative is our Columbia Business School training program, which helps associates strengthen their business acumen and financial literacy. Associates may supplement our in-house trainings with programs offered by various outside providers, such as the Practicing Law Institute.

Onboarding training includes:

• A robust week-long New Associate Orientation training program covering such topics as ethics, the business of law, pro bono and substantive legal skills
• Department-specific orientation programs with the substantive information needed for a strong foundation for your practice

Evaluations

Weil values feedback. Each associate receives semi-annual reviews focusing on a full range of legal and professional skills. Associates also submit self-evaluations and upward reviews of partners, counsel and more senior associates.

Associate performance criteria include:

• Substantive Legal Knowledge
• Analytical Skills
• Written and Oral Communication Skills
• Responsibility
• Professionalism
• Leadership