Legal Education
At Debevoise, professional development combines hands-on experience with a comprehensive legal education curriculum. More than 300 training programs each year support lawyers at every stage of their careers, from orientation and foundational skills to advanced practice, management and leadership.
A Focused Approach to Professional Development
Our professional development programs focus on the technical, management and leadership skills lawyers need to succeed. The firm's Hallmarks of Excellence and Development Model provide a shared framework for training, mentoring and feedback throughout your career.
Introductory Programs
New associates begin with LAUNCH, an immersive two-week program designed to accelerate the transition from law school to practice. Through interactive workshops, hands-on training and department-specific instruction led by partners and senior lawyers, associates develop the legal, business and professional skills needed to serve clients and manage complex matters with confidence.
New associates also participate in a lawyering orientation held each fall, covering the firm’s culture, legal ethics, client relationships and foundational lawyering skills.
New corporate and tax associates participate in a three-day training program led by partners and senior lawyers. The program covers substantive and professional development topics, including stages of a transaction, drafting fundamentals, and closing processes, as well as business and career development opportunities and best practices for succeeding as a junior associate. The curriculum continues throughout the second and third years, with weekly substantive and practical training sessions that provide associates with exposure to senior lawyers from every corporate and tax practice group.
New litigation associates participate in an intensive training program covering the life cycle of a litigation, case strategy, discovery, privilege and drafting. Additional writing workshops, litigation skills programs and trial training build advocacy skills as associates advance.
Talent Development
Debevoise invests in professional development at every stage of a lawyer's career. Our programs help lawyers strengthen their legal, business and communication skills while preparing for increasing leadership responsibilities.
A Shared Understanding of Excellence
Our Hallmarks of Excellence and Development Model provide a common framework for mentoring, evaluations and career planning, helping associates understand expectations and track their professional growth.
Multidirectional Feedback
Regular feedback is a core part of associate development. Associates receive ongoing informal feedback, formal evaluations and guidance from partners who know their work.
Associates, counsel and partners across different committees provide valuable feedback on programs and associate needs. We also conduct an associate survey every two years to encourage feedback on lawyers’ experience at the firm.
Feedback from associates and clients helps shape our training, mentoring and professional development programs.
Enhanced Business Skills
Associates participate in business education, industry-specific training and programs focused on communication, leadership and client service. More than 300 programs are available through the firm's online learning library.
Improved and Flexible Mentoring Options
Associates are paired with both an associate and a partner advisor who provide guidance on career and practice development. Associates rotate partner advisors three times during their first few years at the firm. For more information on advisors, please click here.
Members of Professional Development and the firm's Career Counselor are also available for confidential guidance and career planning.
Why We Do This
Our goal is to give every lawyer the training, feedback and support to build a successful career at Debevoise and beyond.