Aside form the jargon that baffles those who are not law degree holders, law firms are rife with locutions regarding the hierarchy inside these institutions. Here are some common terms used by law firms.
Billable hours
The bane of existence by all practicing lawyers. Simply put, one gets paid by the hour of services rendered. Sometimes, associates are ranked by their billable hours, though this is not done formally. The more hours you put in on working a case, the more you could bill a client.
Pro Bono
Literally translating to “for the good of the public,” pro bono hours are actually required by the American Bar Association for each lawyer. Though the ABA requires 50 hours, state bars may recommend fewer hours of pro bono service. The more free hours of legal service a law firm gives, the more chances they can be ranked higher and chosen by the best students from the top law schools.
Terms of hierarchy in law firms
Paralegal
Paralegals have the knowledge and the expertise to be employed in the legal industry but are not bar passers, nor have they completed law degrees. Paralegals perform legal research, prepare legal documents, and can offer legal advice when conferring with clients provided that they are properly supervised by an attorney. However, in the US, paralegals may choose to be certified or registered with the National Association of Legal Assistants or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations to improve their chances of employment.
Summer Associate
These are interns from law schools who are employed by law firms over a period of three months the summer. Eventually, if their performance impresses the law firm, they may be invited to stay on as associates of the firm.
Associate
Once you have been hired by a law firm, you can now start with the title of associate. This is usually the entry-level position for lawyers and is further categorized as junior associate and senior associate.
Partner
This is the position every greenhorn associate dreams of attaining in as little time as possible. An equity partner owns part of the law firm and shares in the total profits made.
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There comes that time in the academic calendar of law schools that law firms come a-knocking to harvest “summers” or interns and potential employees. Career services of law schools work closely with various law firms to set up mass interviewing to select and woo potential interns. Even if these law firms are the ones who are doing the chasing, their recruiting people still have a set of standards on which the potential summers and employees can be measured against.
Grades
Of course, law firms are quick to snatch up law students who exhibit high grades and academic achievements as these are the easiest ways to measure an applicant’s aptitude. Some top law firms explicitly look at the students who are in the top percentile of the class. However, despite grades being tangible factors, there are other attributes that would make a good lawyer.
Communication Skills
Undoubtedly lawyers should possess good communication skills. Potential summers and employees must be able to exhibit exemplary oral and written skills as they can be tasked to prepare memos, arguments, briefs, and other official documents that may be used in real court proceedings. Add to that excellent logical and analytical thinking and law firms have in their hands the makings of a great asset.
Staying Power
In the end, law firms also look for people who would fit into their own culture. Some prestigious law firms shower their summers with perks such as high allowances, paid nights out, lavish dinners, and even expensive trips just so they can see who would stay beyond the three months of the internship period. Those who can look beyond the perks and still do their tasks well will certainly be asked to stay on after the internship is over.
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