Attorneys at our firm enjoy (and help to create and maintain) a team-oriented and collegial workplace that fosters professional and personal development at every step. It's our goal to give our attorneys as much responsibility as they can handle, while also providing the necessary training and support they need to succeed and to become top-notch trial lawyers.
Work Assignments
Within each department, associates are given opportunities to work on many different types of assignments in many specialties. Generally, our cases are staffed by attorney and paralegal teams who work on a case from start to finish, including any appeals. Our attorney workflow coordinator ensures that each associate is placed on teams that mesh with the associate's interests and goals and that will allow for level-appropriate skill development. The attorney workflow coordinator works closely with each associate to make sure he or she is receiving a good variety of projects and assignments within that team.
Reviews - Formal and Informal
All associates participate in formal year-end evaluations. These evaluations provide each associate with feedback on various projects that were undertaken during the year, while also giving the associate feedback on the progress of their career at our firm in general.
In addition, all supervising attorneys are encouraged to provide informal feedback to the associates who work with them on a regular basis, while associates are encouraged to seek feedback form partners.
Training
Our firm’s commitment to training associates is well established. Our Exceptional Advocate training program is a 4-year curriculum that is conducted in four phases: Court Trial/Arbitration; Basic Jury Trials; Complex Jury Trials; and Advanced Jury Trial. In the first phase, associates are teamed with other associates to try cases against other associates in the firm utilizing outside judges and juries. In the latter phases, associates are teamed with senior associates and partners to try mock cases against senior trial attorneys throughout the firm. We also have on staff a Trial Advocacy Professor from a local law school to work individually with associates. The training programs are administered by our training department.
Summer associates participate in training workshops, can handle a pro bono case, and work with a writing coach. More information.
Mentoring
Our mentoring program is designed to help new associates integrate into the firm and achieve their professional development goals. Each new associate is assigned two mentors - one is an associate, the other is a partner. The associate mentor is a resource for questions regarding basic lawyering skills, administrative procedures, firm culture, and similar matters. The partner mentor is available to assist the new associate in preparing a professional development plan and provides guidance regarding the steps necessary to achieve the associate's goals. The program is very informal, and is not intended to replace or limit the other mentoring relationships a new associate naturally forms.
Diversity
Diversity is how we see. It isn't just how we look.® At Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. diversity is a core value. We believe that the diverse background of our people brings necessary and varied perspectives that enrich our practice of law. More information.
Pro Bono
We recognize that our lawyers have the skills and ability to promote the public interest through the provision of legal services to persons of limited means or to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental and educational organizations whose missions include promoting the public good. It is our obligation to nurture the pro bono legal services of our attorneys, and we expect each attorney to participate in this fundamental aspect of our firm's culture. We are proud to have exceeded the ABA Pro Bono challenge for the last three years. Our attorneys have consistently billed more than 5% of our total billable hours to pro bono matters since 2005. More information.
Foundations
Our two foundations are committed to having a significant, measurable impact in our communities. The Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children has a proven emphasis on providing support to children for education, advocacy, protection from abuse, and other areas. The Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Private Foundation serves a broader purpose in supporting cultural institutions, institutions of higher learning and community non-profit organizations which serve the general population. More information.
Compensation and Benefits
Our firm offers competitive associate compensation at each of its office locations. The starting salary for 2009 is $120,000 in Minneapolis; $135,000 in Atlanta, Naples, and Boston; and $145,000 in Los Angeles. Attorneys at the 4th year level and above receive year-end bonuses in addition to base compensation. Pay practices are reviewed periodically and are subject to change.
The firm covers bar exam expenses, bar review course fees, and relocation expenses for incoming attorneys.
How many hours of work are expected?
Our firm has a billable goal of 1900 hours per attorney. Pro bono hours count toward the billable hour goal, with no cap.
Will we help you keep your law license up to date?
We provide reimbursement for CLE classes and professional dues. Like other law firms, we will also help you get the license by paying for bar review classes and all bar fees. But you have to pass the exam all by yourself. Don't worry, you can do it.
Health
The firm provides programs for medical, dental, and long-term disability insurance. We also provide a health care reimbursement account and a health savings account.
Retirement
We have a 401(k) plan to help you save and everyone participates in the firm's profit sharing program.
Time Off
Each attorney receives up to 15 paid vacation days per year and 9 paid holidays per year. So, yes, you can visit those exotic sites you have been dreaming about.
Parental Leave
Our firm offers a variety of benefits to help attorneys with families to achieve life-work balance. For births or adoptions, we provide up to 6 weeks paid parental leave in addition to medical leave for the birth mother. We've had both moms and dads take parental leave.
Domestic partners benefits?
Yes. Our firm also provides medical and dental benefits for same-sex domestic partners of our employees.