Two major programs make up the Professional Development program at Dickstein Shapiro. The Associate Career Development Program and the Dickstein Shapiro University. The Associate Career Development Program addresses associate development through a variety of skills acquisition and mentoring programs. The Dickstein Shapiro University administers professional training, events, benefits, and quality of life initiatives designed to optimize the work experience at the firm.

The Associate Career Development Program

The Associate Career Development Program has five components that are intended to provide appropriate support to an associate’s career development at Dickstein Shapiro. Please click below to access a description of each role.

• First-Year Associate Mentor

  The purpose of the Mentor program is to lead the new associate’s professional transition to the law firm environment. Mentors:
  

  • Assist the associate in developing a working relationship with his/her Professional Development Partner;
  • Discuss the coaching and feedback the associate received from supervising attorneys;
  • Discuss the associate’s level of satisfaction with the skills development opportunities he/she has received; and
  • Discuss the associate’s general satisfaction with the firm and the associate’s job responsibilities.

• First-Year Associate Writing Coach
  
  A Writing Coach is assigned to work with each first-year associate. The role of the Writing Coach is to review the associate’s written work product, particularly during the first few months of the associate’s career, and to provide feedback.
  
• Diversity Mentor Panel
  
  To focus on the further development and retention of a diverse professional community, the firm created the diversity mentor panel. This panel, which is staffed by some of the firm’s most respected partners, serves as an additional layer in the firm’s formal mentoring program. Mentors provide additional guidance throughout the entire professional development process for diverse associates.
  
• Professional Development Partner Program
  
  A Professional Development Partner is assigned to work with every associate at Dickstein Shapiro. The purpose of this program is to assist associates in identifying desired and needed professional development experiences and in formulating a plan to obtain those experiences, both on the job and through Dickstein Shapiro University. In addition, Professional Development Partners facilitate ongoing, accurate, and systematic feedback from supervising attorneys.