OPEN LATERAL POSITIONS

The firm hires lateral associates depending upon the needs of our practice areas. We also hire on an opportunistic basis when we encounter individuals who represent a strong fit for our culture and client mix. Ball Janik LLP excels in diverse practice areas that offer excellent opportunities for personal growth and advancement in the legal profession.

Associates can expect to assume a high level of responsibility and independence early in their careers. Consistent with our business-oriented approach to client service, specific projects are rarely staffed by more than two attorneys, and more experienced associates commonly take overall responsibility for particular matters, with as-needed supervision by a partner.

CHARTING A COURSE TO SUCCESS

The high level of responsibility we expect from associates is balanced by our strong commitment to mentorship and appropriate professional guidance. We encourage open communication, allowing all associates to take advantage of the experience, legal knowledge, and wisdom of the partners and senior associates.

Practice group leaders work with associates on an individual basis to explain the guidelines for associate training and development.

Senior associates and partners provide ongoing training and feedback to new associates working with them on client projects. In addition to this informal feedback, we conduct semi-annual progress reviews and annual performance reviews, using evaluations from partners, senior associates and practice group leaders to guide the growth and development of each associate.

Associates attend the firm’s retreats, held either in Portland or at resorts outside the city. Regular practice group meetings occur throughout the year to discuss client matters, attorney workloads, practice area issues, legal developments and new laws within the practice area, feedback from attorneys on CLEs they attend, and any other topics specific to the practice group. Associates meet monthly to discuss ideas and concerns which may be directed to firm management.

SURVEY YOUR OPPORTUNITIES

Continuing education, training, and development of our attorneys is essential to ensuring superior client service. Ball Janik pays for continuing legal education programs outside the firm as part of an attorney’s ongoing development and education in specific practice areas. In addition, regular training opportunities and professional development through firm meetings or CLEs, practice group meetings, and firm retreats are available. The firm also maintains an in-house CLE library for specific practice area needs and attorney skill sets. Attorneys may check out the CLE material to listen at their convenience and obtain MCLE credits.

PARTNERSHIP TRACK

It is the firm’s hope that all associates will become partners. The timeframe for an associate to become a partner is approximately eight to ten years, although this may be adjusted depending upon the associate’s development. Admission to the partnership occurs approximately six months after an associate is voted a partner.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The firm is committed to providing a compensation and benefits package for entry level attorneys that is competitive with those offered by leading law firms in the area.

Our two-tier bonus system is designed to recognize and reward those associates who satisfy the firm’s minimum billable hour expectation and produce superior work and, separately, to compensate associates for exceptionally hard work that directly benefits clients and increases the productivity of the firm.

For lateral attorneys coming from other jurisdictions, the firm allows three weeks of paid leave to study and sit for the Bar examination, in addition to covering fees for the Bar examination, Bar review course, and Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).