Mentoring & Training
When law school ends, the next phase of legal education begins.
Regardless of which department an associate selects—Corporate, Litigation, Tax, Executive Compensation and Benefits or Trusts and Estates—Cravath lawyers are supported from their first days at the Firm by comprehensive training programs that combine with our hands-on mentoring to provide our lawyers with practical insights, continuing guidance and sophisticated tools to shape their practice.
Advising and Mentoring
The relationships our associates develop with partners and the informal mentoring they receive are integral to their development as lawyers. Our rotation system establishes a framework in which partners help guide the careers of associates. The rotation system allows associates to form close working relationships with several partners and a mix of associates in different stages of their careers. Teams and practice groups are leanly staffed to provide ample opportunities for the associates to collaborate with their partners on each matter to which they are assigned. For partners, their associates represent the future of the Firm, and that is the most compelling reason for each partner to invest time and knowledge in each member of his or her team or group.
In addition to the mentoring they receive as part of the rotation system, associates are also supported through our formalized programs. At Cravath, we recognize that peers play a critical role in associates’ development, so our incoming associates are assigned an associate advisor when they arrive. This helps ensure each associate has a smooth transition to the Firm. Typically beginning in their second year at the Firm, associates have the opportunity to participate in our formal partner mentor program. The program provides associates with a continuing partner relationship that offers additional insight, guidance and support throughout the associates’ time at the Firm.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Throughout the year, we hold a schedule of classes that enables lawyers to earn their required New York State Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits. Some sessions cover basic topics important to new lawyers, while others delve deeply into specific areas for lawyers at all levels. Classes are conducted primarily by partners on a wide range of topics. A great majority of the training materials are prepared internally by partners, providing associates with an invaluable resource in their day-to-day practice. All our departments offer training programs for their associates, and all lawyers are welcome to attend sessions in practice areas outside their own. Additionally, we are a Privileged Member of the Practising Law Institute (“PLI”). PLI is a longstanding and recognized provider of CLE to attorneys throughout the country. With this membership, every lawyer in the Firm is eligible to attend/watch PLI sessions free of charge.
ONLINE CLE CENTER
In addition to classroom-based learning, Cravath’s Online CLE Center offers lawyers access to prerecorded videos of the Firm’s current CLE sessions (accessible via computer and mobile). Each session is presented in high-quality video and audio and, depending on the topic, includes synchronized slides, a link to course materials and access to current, individual CLE credit summaries.
TRAINING FACILITIES
Our training rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and were designed to offer a comfortable learning environment for large groups of lawyers, customized workshops, and one-on-one help and support.
Corporate Training
In addition to on-the-job training, the Corporate Department conducts an extensive formal training program. The course materials are prepared and taught by partners, senior and specialist attorneys and experienced associates, and are designed both to provide a broad overview of each practice area, as well as to assist associates in developing an understanding of more advanced topics in each practice area. The course materials are detailed and focus on the issues faced by our lawyers in the course of their work. These materials are an excellent reference set for lawyers at all levels.
Executive Compensation and Benefits Training
The Executive Compensation and Benefits Department presents a series of training seminars covering topics such as employment agreements, deferred compensation arrangements, equity awards, executive compensation issues in capital markets and merger and acquisition transactions, and tax and securities law issues in the executive compensation area, as well as timely overviews of developing areas, such as updates on new IRS and SEC regulations governing executive compensation. The seminars are designed to be useful not only to lawyers working in the Executive Compensation and Benefits Department, but also to lawyers in our Corporate, Tax and Trusts & Estates Departments.
Litigation Training
In addition to the rotation system’s hands-on training, the Litigation Department provides an extensive formal training program addressing both basic and specialized legal skills. New programs are continuously added to our training curriculum to enhance associate skills and substantive knowledge, as well as to respond to current developments in the law and Firm practices.
For incoming associates, the Litigation Department offers programs taught by partners or very experienced lawyers within the Department that are designed to improve basic skills, such as legal research, brief writing, oral advocacy, deposition practice and negotiations. The programs are organized around the stages of a case, including pleadings, discovery, motions, trials and appeals and also focus on the practical aspects of being a new litigator, teaching specific hands-on skills related to various aspects of the Firm’s litigation practice. Training is offered in every facet of litigation.
For all of our attorneys, the Firm also offers advanced programs designed to focus on specific areas of interest, such as electronic discovery, intellectual property law and securities litigation developments. Associates are encouraged to attend as many training sessions as possible in order to augment core skills that are essential to an attorney’s development.
Tax Training
The Tax Department runs a formal training program covering areas of tax law that are more easily learned in a classroom setting than by working on a deal. The program also covers issues of practice and “lore” that are often as important as knowledge of the technical provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, in order to train tax lawyers to be practical business lawyers, we encourage tax associates to attend the Corporate Department training programs.
Trusts and Estates Training
The Trusts & Estates Department uses a multifaceted approach to training incoming and other junior associates. Most client matters in the Trusts & Estates Department are staffed with one partner and one associate. The partner‑associate team works to develop advice for the client and allows the associate to be fully engaged in the implementation of that advice. The Trusts & Estates Department uses a regular weekly meeting to allow for discussion of topics of particular interest and to develop a departmental viewpoint on issues that are arising for multiple clients. The Department uses internal classes to teach specific, technical skills and specific areas of the law. In addition, all of the attorneys in the Trusts & Estates Department are invited to attend periodic lectures, webinars and other programs that address current topics of interest. These programs may be run by bar associations, trust companies and other organizations in the estate planning and estate administration fields.
Specialty Programs
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING
Cravath holds programs related to business development practices at the Firm generally presented by members of the Business Development Department alongside Cravath partners, allowing associates to hear a variety of perspectives and experiences. Topics covered include strategies for new business pitches and international business development. Each program offers a variety of tips for how associates can get involved in business development at all stages of their careers.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
In celebration of Diversity & Inclusion Heritage Months and initiatives, Cravath holds a number of programs with guest speakers to discuss timely topics. These programs further the Firm’s goal of ensuring that Cravath provides a supportive and inclusive workplace where every employee is valued and has the opportunity to succeed.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Cravath has a tradition of inviting prominent individuals to address our attorneys. Prior guest speakers have included general counsel, alumni, judges, and journalists. Alumni have discussed their career paths and the integral role Cravath has played in their careers. General counsel, several of whom are alumnae, have shared advice regarding selecting outside counsel and business development strategies.
HIGHLIGHTED MATTERS
Our training program also includes presentations on major matters in which the Firm has been involved. Led by partners and associates who worked on these matters, these presentations focus on the complex legal issues the matters presented and offer practical tips and lessons learned.
PRO BONO
Challenging pro bono work has long been a cornerstone of our practice. It is a fundamental part of who we are and it is critically important to those whom we help. The full resources of the Firm are brought to bear in support of every pro bono matter, whether the client is a low‑income single mother or a coalition of U.S. Congress members. Our pro bono work also provides a meaningful way for our lawyers to develop and strengthen their legal skills. We hold regular sessions highlighting notable pro bono matters.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINING
The Information Technology training program has been designed, with lawyer input and feedback, to help attorneys use the Firm’s technology most effectively. Each interactive training session includes a number of time-saving, practice-specific automated tools and tips. Facilitated by members of the Learning & Development team, these sessions help attorneys to efficiently utilize the Firm’s technology in practice.
WELL-BEING
As part of Cravath’s continued focus on supporting our attorneys and staff, we have brought in outside speakers and experts to address various forms of well‑being from a variety of perspectives.
WORKSHOPS
The hands-on negotiation and deposition workshops are led by partner presenters who use substantive course materials, presentations, video clips and interactive exercises to help guide associates through legal procedures they will encounter throughout their careers. Associates then engage in hands-on mock exercises to refine and practice implementing what they have learned during the course of the workshop. At the conclusion of each workshop, associates are provided with constructive, individualized feedback.
