Training and Development
Training and Development
At HSE, we recognize that learning does not end in law school, and we are committed to providing our attorneys with ample training opportunities to assist with their professional growth and development. We staff our matters with small teams of attorneys, which enables Associates to gain substantial, direct client contact and hands-on experience early on in their careers.
Training: HSE provides myriad training opportunities for our attorneys through several formats, providing optimal learning environments for all learning styles.
- Welcome Aboard: Upon joining HSE, attorneys participate in a multi-day orientation program that familiarizes them with the Firm, its technology, procedures and policies, and introduces them to the culture of teamwork, excellence, and entrepreneurship.
- Specialized Training: Following orientation, attorneys work with their Practice Group Leaders to discuss substantive training within their specific practice area. The substantive training includes hands-on, in-person training with a Partner or Senior Associate in the group. Many of our attorneys also attend external conferences which allow them to acquire the skills and insight necessary to become leading experts in their fields.
- Continuing Legal Education: HSE is an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education programs. We regularly offer in-house CLE programming which is developed by our own Firm attorneys. In addition, the Firm subscribes to Practising Law Institute (PLI) which is an accredited continuing legal and professional education program that covers a wide array of practice areas and allows our attorneys to have convenient and constant access to high-quality learning opportunities.
Mentoring: At HSE, we believe that it is important to foster a sense of community and collegiality among our employees. Our mentoring program is designed to assist our attorneys in building strong connections with colleagues. Mentoring at HSE includes two distinct programs:
- Peer Mentoring: Our peer mentoring program is designed to help incoming associates navigate their careers and realize their full potential. The program pairs each Associate with a peer mentor outside of their practice group, who can provide advice, feedback and counsel with respect to the practice of law and understanding Firm life at HSE. The peer/mentor relationship is viewed to be in addition to the mentor/mentee relationships we see naturally form within practice groups through working closely together on projects and providing feedback on substantive work and progression with the practice group and Firm.
- Class Year Mentoring: This program approaches mentoring based on class year. It is made up of three elements. First, each class year is assigned to a Partner mentor who holds an event every quarter where discussion relates to topics and/or issues that have been identified by our Associates as being important to their professional growth and development. Second, the program has one panel discussion every quarter featuring guest speakers addressing topics of interest to our attorneys. Lastly, the mentoring program hosts one social event each quarter that brings attorneys together in an informal setting, allowing them to gather and connect outside of work.
HSE 101: In addition to the training discussed above, each incoming associate joining the Firm from law school participates in HSE 101, a series of programs designed to ease the transition from law school to the practice of law and provide a roadmap of success at the Firm. Thereafter, we provide multi-disciplinary programs to meet the needs of our Associates at each step of their career.
Immersive Experience (First- and Second-Year Attorneys): At HSE, we believe that it is critical for attorneys to have access to meaningful work and client interaction at an early stage in their careers. These exposures allow Associates to develop substantive legal skills by observing seasoned attorneys in action, provide opportunities for our Associates to begin developing strong client relationships, and allow our Associates to more quickly develop collaborative working relationships with Senior Associates and Partners. The immersive experience allows first- and second- year Associates to take advantage of a reduced billable hour requirement in exchange for time spent on substantive learning experiences that Partners or Senior Associates have identified as providing a meaningful opportunity for professional growth and development.
Coaching and Feedback
Coaching: Formal coaching sessions are performed approximately six months after an attorney joins the Firm. Thereafter, annual performance reviews are performed on a regular schedule. Additional coaching happens consistently through the hands-on training each attorney receives within their practice group.
Feedback: To assist our Associates with meeting their career development goals, we provide formal feedback through our annual Attorney Performance Review process. With the use of associate self-evaluations as a starting point, each practice group collects feedback from attorneys with whom the Associate has worked. Review meetings with the Associates are held to discuss the Associate’s goals and objectives and to provide detailed feedback regarding the Associate’s performance. To support further growth and progression to partnership, fifth- and seventh-year Associates (and beyond) also receive a Partnership Progression Review; a forward-looking review that focuses on partnership advancement. A member of our Attorney Evaluation Committee interviews a wide group of attorneys and provides detailed guidance on the Associate’s development priorities.