Develop your career with Michelmores

How to Become an Associate

This exciting development programme is open to all lawyers in the firm, provided they can meet the entry requirements.

We are looking for capable and business-focused lawyers who can demonstrate an interest in developing their career towards management and partnership levels.

The programme is not a fast track or automatic route to Partnership; it is primarily an opportunity to maximise individual development. Indeed, some candidates may have career ambitions which do not involve a wish to become a Partner. The scheme will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate various career routes. The Partners would hope and expect that many Associates will progress sufficiently to be offered Partnership, once they fulfil the criteria.

The overall ambition for the programme is that all candidates will benefit by their inclusion and will develop skills and experience that they might not otherwise gain.

An outline of the Associate scheme, is set out below, covering

• Qualifications criteria
• Application Process
• Selection Process
• The Programme
• After the Programme

Qualification Criteria

Those wishing to be considered for inclusion within the ADP will have to demonstrate that:

• they are an able lawyer, capable of undertaking a wide range of legal work without supervision
• they are capable of managing and leading others
• they have or are likely to be able to develop the skills required to attract work to the firm and develop their own practice
• they posses interpersonal skills, the right attitude and a ability to work well with colleagues at all levels

In general, the competencies outlined above are most likely to be exhibited by lawyers with at least five years of relevant experience, although this is not in itself a criterion.

Application Process

The process for existing staff involves a written application, supported by a report from their Head of Department. This is followed by an selection process involving a presentation and interview with a Panel of Partners and Managers during early May each year.

External candidates can join the programme on entry to the firm, although we prefer to include them in the process the following May if at all possible. There will always be candidates that naturally fit entry immediately at Associate level and this will be discussed with them at the time they apply. If appropriate, they will be invited to meet a minimum of two ADP Panel members for a formal interview to consider their application. The interview will be centred around:

• Management and leadership
• Commerciality and understanding of the business of a law firm
• Interpersonal and other, non-legal skills
• Teamwork and attitude

The Panel will be looking for evidence of an individual’s potential as well as identifying skills and experience already gained.

The Programme

At the outset, each candidate will need to know exactly how their performance and attributes are perceived by the firm. This will be provided by a detailed appraisal which should enable the candidate to see exactly where their development needs lie and also understand the degree of improvement required during the Programme.

The main modules of the training Programme will be:

• Finance and general business awareness
• Marketing and selling skills
• Management and leadership
• How a law firm works
• Time management, self organisation and running a complex matter
• Client care and practice development

All Associates will complete all of the modules. There will not be individual assessments to be passed or failed but the person delivering the module will provide a brief report on each Associate. The Associate will be expected to demonstrate that learning is being put to effective use in the work place.

Once each year, the firm will organise an “away week-end” at a suitable venue. The activities involved will cover strategic planning, business modelling, negotiating skills practice etc – as well as some vital socialising over dinner and in the bar!

From time to time, we will organise lunch-time meetings for Associates to discuss their training together and make suggestions for improvements. These will also provide an opportunity for financial briefings relating to the performance of the firm, so that Associates develop a much clearer picture of the firm’s business.

Each Associate will be briefed and debriefed by a Partner before and after each event is attended. This is to ensure that the Associate is properly prepared for each event and also to ascertain whether the training is appropriate and of benefit. The main content of these briefings will be recorded and retained on file.

Throughout the programme, each Associate is invited to choose a mentor. This is likely to be a Partner from another Department who, through conversation, is able to help the Associate to maintain an overview of their development and offer advice and guidance as required.

During the programme, the firm would expect to see each candidate demonstrate visible work practice changes – for example, running a small team of lawyers and support, or bringing in new business as a result of specific marketing activities etc.

During and at the end of the programme, there will be detailed appraisals which will seek to identify progress being made and development areas still to be addressed. The period of time each Associate spends on the programme will depend upon individual progress.

After the Programme

Key Themes

The length of the programme will differ from person to person, particularly in the early years of the programme. Each Associate will be involved closely at the outset of their ADP in drawing up a personal development plan as part of the programme.

Some Associates will be seeking Partnership opportunities, and some may not. For those not seeking Partnership, the programme will have developed and enhanced their skills in key areas such as leadership and business awareness, for the benefit of themselves, and the Firm.

Following the structured element of the programme, Associates who are seeking Partnership would be expected to agree a personal action plan with their Head of Department. This will include personal objectives and the development of a business case. Successful completion of the action plan and the business case would be an important factor in defining entry to the Partnership. Importantly, Associates should appreciate that the timescale for this part of Associates’ career paths will vary.