Market Areas > Practice Management > Associate Compensation

Associate Compensation: Merit-Based Alternatives to Lockstep Advancement

Course Description:

100 percent lock-step compensation for associates may not be dead, but it’s definitely limping. 

There’s more than just one way to compensate law-firm associates.  In fact, firms like Bingham McCutchen, Drinker Biddle, Seyfarth Shaw, among others, are retooling their associate compensation models with merit-based plans that initially raised eyebrows and made headlines.

However, industry stats show that the leak in the dam is building momentum among AmLaw 100 firms.  In recent months at least twelve firms have announced the introduction of such programs and numerous others are investigating either full or partial merit systems.

A must for every law firm rethinking their associate compensation model, this comprehensive audio conference on CD explores the challenges and triumphs of new merit-based compensation alternatives.

Course Highlights:

• Why change? How client demands are fueling the rapid fire changes to associate tracks
• Details on the types of alternatives to pure lock-step compensation models and how these alternatives compensate associates
• Industry Trends: How new associate compensation systems attract and retain top talent
• Ways to develop and manage meaningful criteria for promotions outside of lock-step
• Crucial performance review criteria to include in your merit-based compensation system
• Beyond compensation increases, what matters most to associates, mid-levels and partners

Featured Faculty:

Mary K Young, Consultant, Zeughauser Group

Mary K Young is one of the only legal industry marketing experts who brings a demonstrated track record of corporate branding success to her work developing and implementing marketing programs for law firms. Her experience spans the disciplines of strategic planning, marketing planning, and branding. Since she joined Zeughauser Group in 2006, leading law firms have come to rely on her skills as a strategist who can craft a powerful branding program that resonates with law firm clients.

Mary K established her reputation as a legal marketing innovator during her tenure as chief marketing officer of Howrey LLP from 2000-2006. Partnering with firm leadership, she developed and launched new positioning and advertising for the firm and led the development of its new corporate identity. She was instrumental in the firm's strategic planning initiatives and the integration of a major merger partner. Between 2001 and 2004, as Howrey extended its footprint to London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Paris, Mary K developed and implemented the marketing plans for each of those offices.

Kent Zimmermann, Consultant, Zeughauser Group

Leading law firm chairs and chief marketing officers often select Kent Zimmermann to help them increase the size, strength, and profitability of their firms. Kent's interdisciplinary perspective grows out of his experience as a general counsel, a CEO, and an intellectual property litigator.

Focused on growth programs, Kent consults in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, strategic growth planning, and client feedback. In connection with law firm combinations and other growth initiatives, Kent often is engaged by law firms to conduct client service interviews with key clients to expand and safeguard those relationships.

Earlier in his career, Kent was one of the three equity partners who transformed Hubbard One from a small technology start-up to one of the fastest-growing private companies in North America. After Hubbard One's acquisition, in his role as chief executive Kent helped rebrand and reorganize West Legalworks, a live-education and conference business focused on the legal marketplace.

Terri Mottershead, Director of Professional Development, DLA Piper LLP

Terri Mottershead is the national Director of Professional Development with DLA Piper LLP (US) and is based in San Francisco, California, USA.

Her role at DLA Piper includes leading the US Professional Development Department and supporting the talent management initiatives for more than 1,400 attorneys in the firm’s 30 US offices. Terri brings to the position over 26 years of experience in international law practice, legal associations (law firm associations, academic institutions and Law Societies/Bar Associations), consulting, legal education and training.

Prior to working in in-house attorney talent management, Terri practiced law in Australia and Hong Kong; was a law school academic in Hong Kong; and worked as an international law firm consultant. She is frequently asked to present and consult nationally and internationally on all aspects of attorney talent management. Terri is an award winning teacher. She has served on more than 50 Boards and Committees.

MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE:

Pricing:

Your CD recording includes the complete audio conference presentation, audience Q&A and presentation materials.

CLE:

CCM provides audio conference attendees with CLE credit processing services. To expedite CCM processing your CLE request, please complete and submit the evaluation form available from CCM at the conclusion of the audio conference. It will be necessary to enter the following information: name of each attorney requesting CLEs with full contact information, including e-mail address, bar number, and the state in which the attorney wants credits. Each attorney requesting credits must submit an evaluation.

Please be advised CCM audio conferences are subject to approval from each CLE issuing organization and approval is not guaranteed (state bar associations in Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania do not grant CLE credits for audio conferences). The approval process takes approximately 6 - 8 weeks for most organizations but can take as long as 3 - 4 months. You will be notified via e-mail with the final status of your CLE application.

Any person applying for CLE credits must attend the audio conference from start to finish (attendance will be taken for compliance reasons). Requests for CLE credits must be received no later than two weeks following the conclusion of the audio conference or live conference. CLE credits are not available for CD recordings.

If you have any questions regarding CLE credits, contact Jill Adler at 631.368.2082 x 21 or jill.adler@meeting-matters.com.

Each CCM event presents a variety of information and is presented for each organization to develop its own approach and methodology.