Blickenstaff Quoted on Unique Aspects of Schiff Summer Associate Program
Partner and Law Student Recruitment Committee Chair Dave Blickenstaff was quoted on changes the firm has made to more effectively attract and retain summer associates from the “millennial generation.”
Schiff has an in-house writing coach on staff who works one-on-one with associates. She conducts “writing roundtables” to provide summer associates with feedback from multiple partners about their written work. Other summer program elements include bringing in an outside consultant to advise on relationship-building skills, which are critical to any lawyer’s long-term success.
“A lot of it is driven toward bridging this gap between the technical skills you learn in law school … and the social-relational skills also important to practice,” Dave said. Schiff associates tend to get front-line experience early in their careers, so it is important for them to start developing the full range of skills they will need as practicing lawyers. That includes building relationships with partners who can serve as mentors. As Dave put it, “we want summer associates to feel like they’re part of the firm from the get-go.”
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