Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss hires new attorneys into the Firm based on exceptional legal ability and quality of individual character rather than a need to fill a role within a specific department or practice area. As a result, our associates enjoy the full benefits of working in a large firm, the opportunity to experience different areas of law, and the ability to take the time necessary to find their preferred niche. Specifically, the Firm offers new associates:

• Immediate Responsibility

Our approach to new associate assimilation into the practice of the Firm is to mix immediate involvement in complex legal matters with early opportunities for individual responsibility. Associates are encouraged to assume primary responsibility for matters early in their careers under the supervision of more senior attorneys. New associates handle negotiations with other counsel, closings, hearings and trials, and deal directly with clients, as soon as they are competent and comfortable in doing so.

As a general rule, we have a fast track for responsibility. Those who demonstrate they can handle the work, but know when to seek advice from more experienced members of the Firm, will receive more opportunities and challenges. If you are a self-starter and are looking for this type of responsibility, then you should consider employment with Jaffe.

• Rotation

Unlike many other business law firms, the Jaffe rotation program provides first and second year associates the opportunity to spend 6 months working in each of the three broad practice areas in the Firm - litigation, general business, and finance/bankruptcy/real estate. The rotation program is intended to be flexible to meet the interests of new associates and the needs of the Firm. For those associates who have decided to pursue a particular area or areas of practice, the rotation program can be modified or even eliminated to accommodate their interests.

Career Development

The Firm invests heavily in career development programs for our lawyers. We provide regular informal educational sessions that range from "nuts and bolts" programs at the practice group levels to more advanced in-house courses taught by experienced practitioners. Each Practice Group Coordinator participates in organizing a broad range of formal and informal programs on legal issues and skills, issues of practice management, and client development and retention.

Our formal education program consists of sessions covering a variety of topics including due diligence/overview of corporate acquisitions, negotiations, taking and defending depositions and much more.

Additionally, the Firm encourages its attorneys to present and attend out of office seminars related to the attorney's particular practice area or area of interest. We are committed to providing associates with legal and professional training and opportunities for professional growth and career enhancement. The Firm strongly encourages and supports community involvement and other pro bono activities.

Mentoring

The Firm has a formal mentor program.  Once an associate has chosen a practice area, the associate has the opportunity to participate in the selection of his or her mentor. In addition to the formal program, we strongly encourage an open working relationship among attorneys of all experience levels.                   

Firm Technology

The Firm uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver efficient legal services. All associates, including summer associates, receive a laptop with remote access capabilities. We encourage attorneys to take advantage of the many and varied practice-specific software applications available, and the small group and one-on-one application training classes that are regularly offered.

In addition we have state-of-the-art presentation equipment available for use at meetings, seminars or in court.