A number of firm programs foster the career development and retention of associates. Our extensive and always-expanding H&H Academy curriculum provides widespread training on substantive areas of law, as well as on legal skills of general applicability, such as drafting, public speaking, negotiations, and ethics, and on subjects such as business development and client relations.

In 2003 the H&H Academy began piloting an initiative to create individual training programs for associates, tailored to their individual interests and needs as well as to their practice areas. In 2004 the firm decided to implement this individualized approach to associate professional development on a firmwide basis. In November 2004, the firm appointed Linda Oliver, a partner in the communications practice group, to the newly created position of Associate Development Partner. The Associate Development Partner is responsible for supervising the rollout of the individualized associate professional development program across all practice areas and offices worldwide. Under this program, each associate prepares an individual plan setting forth goals for training and professional development that are tailored to the associate's own practice area and interests.

Associates also receive on-the-job training, feedback, and informal guidance from supervising attorneys to enhance their professional growth. Practice Area Administrators and Practice Group Directors foster associate development through arranging for rotations among areas and monitoring indefinite assignments. We have a comprehensive program in which associates receive regularly scheduled evaluations of their performance. Strengths are recognized and areas for improvement are identified. More senior associates also receive assessments of their advancement prospects, and of what additional efforts may be important in that regard.

Minority partners also meet periodically with minority associates to share their experiences, on both a formal and informal basis. For example, the African-American attorneys in the Washington, D.C. office meet monthly for an informal lunch. Many minority partners and senior associates also serve as informal mentors to more junior attorneys.