Reed Smith the Latest Big Firm to Drop Associate Lockstep

Reed Smith on Tuesday joined a handful of Am Law 100 firms that have dumped lockstep associate promotion and launched a new focus on associate training. The new program will divide associates into three tiers: junior, midlevel and senior. To advance, associates will need to meet a set of competencies. Courses will be available to help associates advance, and partners will be matched with associates to serve as career advisers. San Francisco managing partner David Thompson said the firm wants to create strong business people as well as strong lawyers. "The point is to differentiate ourselves," Thompson said. "We think our training is good now, but our goal is to improve it and deliver on a higher level of execution and tailoring."

Reed Smith the Latest Big Firm to Drop Associate Lockstep law.com Wed, Oct 28, 2009