All law firms hire associate attorneys, including large, midsize, small firms, and even solo practitioners. However, large firms support large-scale operations, so they often hire more associates than other firms. Factors that make firms take in associates include client-base expansion, branching into different practice areas, and increased workflow. Law firms consider excellent academic records, great interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, and technical competencies when recruiting an associate attorney.
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Being a law firm associate means working for the law firm, but that doesn’t mean you are a shareholder or the firm’s partner. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements set by the Illinois State can become an associate. As an associate, you gain experience by interacting with clients, learning to perform legal work, and manage cases.
Being an associate comes with high-performance expectations, working for an extended number of hours and specializing in a specific niche. You also get an opportunity to get competitive compensation and career and professional development. Associate hiring is on the rebound at the moment. Some of the roles and responsibilities you will be expected to perform when you start working as an associate attorney include but are not limited to the following:
One of the key responsibilities of a law firm associate is drafting legal documents, such as motions, pleadings, contracts, briefs, and discovery requests. These documents should follow the correct format and structure, as how you prepare them directly affects the case outcome.
Although most firm owners prefer meeting and communicating with their clients in person, associates can sometimes participate in briefings and meetings. They can also handle less complex matters, such as assisting clients with document filing and updating them on their case progress.
Associates act as the professional backbone of many law firms and are expected to handle legal cases and perform legal research. This includes spending a significant amount of time researching local regulations and all legal precedents relevant to the client’s case.
Conducting due diligence is an integral part of the legal process, especially when dealing with company mergers, acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Associates must investigate, review, and analyze different documents and records to check for liabilities, risks, and legal implications of the decision.
Beginner associates do not actively participate in court proceedings. Those with at least three years of experience can, however, participate in court proceedings. Associates can appear in court during motion hearings, status conferences, and pre-trial hearings. They can also participate in depositions and settlement conferences.
Associates must manage their time well and meet their client’s deadlines. If working with paralegals and legal assistants, they can delegate tasks to focus on more important tasks. They also ensure accurate billing and maintain the overall financial health of the law firm.
All law firms have needs to meet. The needs may, however, vary based on their operations, scale, and resources. The key things that differentiate large firm needs from smaller firm needs include.
Because of their size, large firms require more resources and state-of-the-art infrastructure. They support robust systems and use ERP and CRM tools to support their large workforce. They use high-end IT infrastructure with cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and advanced data management tools. They also have specialized departments like HR, legal, marketing, IT, and finance to perform specific tasks.
On the other hand, smaller firms feature scalable infrastructure and may not require the installation of high-end software. They, instead, use off-the-shelf software. Employees working in these firms may work in cross-function roles. For example, you might be working on contracts today and conducting market research tomorrow.
Big firms deal with many clients and use advanced accounting systems to manage their finances. Their accounting system supports advanced financial management tools that prepare budget forecasts and detailed reports, while ensuring that all regulatory measures are complied with. They also have better risk management tools and can acquire funds through equity markets, bonds, and large-scale loans.
Smaller firms don’t use advanced accounting systems, as they operate with smaller budgets. Because of their smaller cash flows, they have limited access to loans and only rely on personal financing and credit cards.
Large firms market their services differently compared to small firms. Large firms, for example, focus on building national and global brands, while small firms focus on the local market. Large firms have different teams responsible for public relations, advertising, and digital marketing. They also support sales teams and distribution channels to manage their broader market.
Smaller firms operate with limited budgets and usually leverage word of mouth to market their services. In some instances, they use social media and digital marketing. Additionally, their sales team covers all the aspects of the sales process.
Big law firms hire people with specific skill sets to work in various departments. They also offer continuous professional development programs and career progression strategies to ensure their employees meet the changing demands. Employees in these firms also get better benefits, such as healthcare and retirement plans.
Unlike larger firms, smaller law firms work with a small number of employees, as they don’t have many departments. Their HR process is also less formal and is managed by the owners or a small managerial team. Working in these firms also means you get limited benefits, as the firm operates with minimal resources.
Law firms are quite selective when looking to hire associate attorneys. They ensure they are working with an associate with good personal traits, a wide range of technical skills, and the right academic qualifications. The most common skills employers consider when choosing associate attorneys in Chicago, Illinois, include:
Law firms looking for associate attorneys ensure they have selected those with strong academic credentials and who graduated from a recognized law school. Potential associate attorneys looking to join large firms should focus on getting good grades and sharpening their skills in legal research and review. These qualities show the law firm that you can handle complex legal research using traditional and modern tools. Besides gaining these highly sought-after skills, working with attorney recruiters can maximize your chances of securing a position in your preferred law firm.
You can get experience through internships, judicial clerkships, and internships. Having this experience shows that you can apply legal theory to real-world situations. Note that some law firms only hire associates with specific experience, such as corporate law, litigation, tax, intellectual property, or real estate.
You will likely stand out in a competitive legal job market if you work well in teams and communicate effectively with clients and other attorneys. A good attorney should be able to build a strong relationship with the clients and network well with other legal firms and business communities.
Most law firms hire associates who are dedicated, diligent, and detail-oriented. To become an associate lawyer, you must have a strong work ethic and be able to work on tight deadlines. You must also exhibit professionalism and integrity while handling clients’ cases.
Nowadays, law firms prefer working with tech-proficient associate attorneys. You should, therefore, know how to use technology tools, such as e-discovery tools, document management systems, and case management software. Knowledge of these tools helps associates improve efficiency and effectively manage heavy workloads.
All law firms have their work ethics and values, which may vary depending on their needs. When looking out for an associate attorney, they ensure they have selected one whose work ethics align with their values. They also choose an associate who can easily adapt to the client’s changing demands, firm priorities, and legal strategies.
While it’s essential to work with an associate who understands the law, law firms prefer someone who can contribute to the business by taking ownership of the case, handling additional responsibilities, and proposing solutions to existing problems. Law firms value candidates who can demonstrate legal expertise and contribute to the company’s growth.
Are you looking for an associate attorney job in Chicago, Illinois? Don’t struggle alone. Our legal recruiters at Astor Professional Search will connect you with a law firm looking for candidates that match your profile. We will walk with you throughout the job search and placement process. Contact us today for personalized and dedicated job placement services
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