Faulty Process: Matching Law Firm Associates With Practice Groups

Image: Shutterstock.

The process of matching young lawyers to practice groups at law firms is more or less standard across the industry—and deeply flawed.

Law students heading into their third year of law school, many of whom have never held a full-time job, are exposed to a whirlwind experience meant to approximate the practice of law at a prospective employer. In between social events, training and other summer associate program elements, they are encouraged to undertake assignments from different practice groups with the firm.

After a two- to three-month experience, they are asked to indicate their preference for a practice group that, if they're fortunate enough to receive an offer, will be their focus for years to come—perhaps even their entire careers.