Development activities take many forms, such as formal and informal training, mentoring, active participation in a wide variety of representations, involvement in professional and community activities, and close involvement with clients and industry leaders in the attorney's practice area. Successful design and management of associate development activities requires active and sustained attention of the Firm's leadership. At Schnader, we formed an Associate Professional Development Committee, with direct reporting responsibility to the firm's managing partner, to actively manage and coordinate all issues related to associate development.

The Committee consists of partners and counsel from offices throughout our nationwide network of offices. The Committee has one responsibility - to make sure everything that needs to be done is done to address the needs and development of our associates. Some of the specific responsibilities of the Committee include implementation and oversight of our associate training and mentoring programs, handling the annual performance evaluation of associates, monitoring the professional skill development of each individual associate (in conjunction with the head of that associate's department or practice area), making recommendations on associate compensation to our Executive Committee, and giving priority attention to other issues of concern to individuals or groups of associates as they arise.

Of course, our associates are encouraged to bring issues and concerns to the attention of the Committee. Individual Committee members strive to meet frequently with individuals and groups of associates to informally discuss issues of special interest; in addition, the Committee holds periodic meetings with all associates as a group to report on the latest developments, exchange ideas and receive feedback from associates on firm matters.