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Career Development

Greenberg Traurig Invests in You!

Greenberg Traurig provides a variety of learning and professional development programs (PD) and resources for attorneys. Named for Larry Hoffman, one of GT’s founding partners and an advocate of PD, the Hoffman Center for Professional Development provides learning and PD programs that enhance the skills and competencies our attorneys need at each step in their career, while supporting attorneys so they can thrive in their work, in their client relationships, and as part of our community. 

The Hoffman Center for Professional Development

The goals of our efforts for associates are to create a comprehensive support and educational system to enhance their careers, enable them to track their career development against the firm’s expectations, and create deeper ties to shareholders and mentors invested in helping them succeed. The program is, by design, not “one size fits all,” to acknowledge and recognize that everyone has their own path and goals. GT has a formal inclusive mentor program where GT attorneys are paired with incoming associates to help the associates navigate and achieve success at the firm. In addition, the firm has a formal Responsible Shareholder Program as part of the associate review and development process, where associates are matched with shareholders who take responsibility for assessing performance and providing feedback on the individual’s progress toward becoming a GT shareholder.

Developing our attorneys’ skills is a cornerstone of the firm’s success. The firm has a formal Associate Development Program for which the firm has developed expected Core Competencies for each level of associate practice. Through our PD Department and Associate Development Program, associates receive meaningful substantive training, and each office has Shareholder Career Development Liaisons (CDLs) who work with our PD team and play a pivotal role in the growth and development of our valued associates. Each associate is assigned to a Responsible Shareholder, who is tasked with ensuring the associate is engaged and getting assignments that will support their growth and development.

"I believe that professional development is so important to our firm... It is the single most important factor that can distinguish our firm within our profession and in our society."

—Larry Hoffman

Competency Model

We have identified the skills, behaviors, and characteristics needed for success – what we call “core competencies.” These core competencies provide a roadmap and benchmarks for attorney development. Our competency model focuses on Legal Skills and Knowledge, Firm Engagement, Client Service, and Business Development. We also provide firmwide and practice-specific core competencies for different levels and have tools to help measure and track attorney skills and development as they relate to the competencies. 

We want our attorneys to excel in their core legal skills while also learning how to develop close relationships with clients and become leaders in the community.

Associate Development Program

Greenberg Traurig’s Associate Development Program includes three integrated components: career development liaisons, who are local shareholders charged with overseeing the program in each office; shareholder-mentors responsible for helping associates develop self-awareness and obtain feedback and ideas for growth; and the associate eNotebook, a user-friendly platform that helps associates navigate the breadth of PD and mentoring resources available. The eNotebook hosts a library of important associate-development assessment tools to help assess abilities and goals related to core competencies, business development plans, client development tools, and the attorney review season.

Training and Workshops

GT is committed to providing our attorneys with relevant training programs to help them perform at their best. The PD team offers substantive law and skills-based programming relevant to an attorney’s practice and level. PD also offers regular training programs and workshops for local offices and practices, covering substantive topics as well as non-substantive skills, like business development.

Our tailored, practical, hands-on programs for our attorneys’ development is ongoing through workshops and multiday academies. Some of the specific programs include:

  • Business Development framework and curriculum
  • Legal Writing Academy
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs
  • Litigation Skills Academy
  • Innovation and Technology Curricula and Coaching, including a Gen AI Training Program
  • Well-Being Programs and Wellness Resources

GT also has programs to encourage associate involvement in action learning, problem solving, and leadership. Associates have varied opportunities to interact with shareholders, in addition to their billable work. The firm instituted an Associate Technology Advisory Committee, where a group of associates work with members of firm leadership to discover more effective ways to use technology in legal work and increase usage of GT’s innovation tools. In addition, the PD team facilitates a leadership program for mid-level associates. Some offices also have associate committees responsible for making recommendations to office management.

Summer Associates and First-Year Associates

The GT summer associate program offers a robust training curriculum, including programs to introduce law students to the firm and to encourage their development as future lawyers. Our summer associates get a hands-on education in the practice of law while also gaining valuable insight into the firm and our culture. For first-year associates, the firm has a three-pronged approach to orientation: (1) live in-person first-year associate orientation, (2) customized local office orientation sessions, and (3) firmwide webinar programming. First-year associates are also paired with mentors who provide support and help navigate integration into the firm.

By participating in our comprehensive training programs, associates benefit in the following ways:

  • Enhance Legal Expertise: Gain knowledge of legal principles and practices through training programs, which are integral to becoming a successful lawyer.
  • Build Professional Networks: Connect with seasoned attorneys and peers to form valuable relationships that can offer guidance and opportunities throughout their careers.
  • Develop Practical Skills: Engage in real-world tasks that improve critical thinking, research abilities, and client interaction, ensuring a well-rounded legal education.
  • Cultivate Firm Culture Understanding: Learn about the firm’s values and operations, fostering a sense of belonging and alignment with GT’s mission and goals.
  • Receive Tailored Guidance: Benefit from mentorship programs where experienced lawyers provide personalized advice, feedback, and support, helping new associates integrate smoothly into the firm’s environment.

Together, these programs underscore GT’s commitment to nurturing the growth of its associates, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the legal profession and to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s success.