How does the firm foster my professional development?
How are decisions made at Faegre & Benson?
The firm is managed by a Management Committee comprised of ten partners. The managers are elected to staggered four-year terms by the full partnership. Other committees at the firm are responsible for overseeing areas such as legal personnel, community service, benefits, and diversity. We also rely heavily on the leadership of our group heads and administrative partners, who manage the activities of each practice group.
Associates regularly participate as members of several committees, including our Diversity, Benefits, Fall Recruiting and Summer Program Committees. In addition, associates participate in monthly meetings of their practice groups to discuss matters relating to the group and its work. Associates are invited to attend quarterly lunch meetings to hear members of the firm's management present on developments at the firm.
What assignment system do you use?
We really don't have one system. A lot depends on the size of the practice group. In smaller groups, you might work for all of the partners in that group. In our larger groups, you might be assigned to two or three partners, or to a more specific practice area of the group. No matter what group you are in, you will work directly with partners in small client-focused teams.
What is the billable-hour requirement?
We generally expect our associates to record at least 1,800 hours to billable matters, and up to 100 hours of pro bono work count toward the 1,800 billable hour expectation. However, our compensation system is based on ten factors that have been used to guide the evaluation of the contribution of partners and associates to the success of the firm for decades. That system measures each lawyer's overall contribution to the firm, not only the number of hours billed.
What benefits do you provide?
In addition to offering comprehensive health, disability, and life insurance, and the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) savings plan, we reimburse you for the expenses associated with admission to the Minnesota, Colorado or Iowa bar, including the bar review course and examination fee, if necessary. We also pay to relocate you to our region and provide a moving company to assist with your move. The firm also reimburses associates for their annual attorney licensing fee, membership in the state and local bar association and the costs of Continuing Legal Education course requirements.
How does the firm support lawyers who wish to take a parental leave, or work reduced time?
We are committed to creating the opportunity for our lawyers to reconcile the competing time demands of practicing law and raising children. To help accomplish this goal, we have developed generous child care leave and reduced time guidelines for our lawyers.
Our policy gives lawyers up to one year of leave for each child, and lawyers may work reduced time for child care purposes, so long as they wish. After one year with the firm, we also offer six weeks of salary continuation during parenting leave. These six weeks are available to all new parents and are in addition to disability periods for mothers who have given birth.
How does the compensation system work?
What do you do to assist in my integration into the firm?
What does the firm do to promote diversity?
See Diversity
How does the interview process work?
We want to give you the opportunity to meet all of the key people for your practice when you interview with us. This means that you can expect to spend the better part of a day in our offices. Our Legal Personnel Committee is primarily responsible for hiring decisions, and decisions on more senior laterals also involve the Management Committee. Laterals primarily interview with lawyers in the practice group that he or she will join. As a result, the practice group typically makes a recommendation to the full Legal Personnel Committee regarding lateral hires. We work closely with the practice groups in order to make a decision as quickly as possible.
How is partnership determined?
What kind of pro bono work is available for me at Faegre?
What lawyer positions are currently available at Faegre & Benson?
Who should I contact for more information?
See How to Apply
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