At Simpson Thacher, we take an innovative approach to training and development. We offer a variety of resources to support our associates - with some practice areas using design thinking principles - no matter how broad or specific, short or long term their needs are.
Each practice group has dedicated Professional Development Managers. The Professional Development Managers communicate individually with our associates every day. The question they ask, as often as possible, is “how can we better support you?” Through these conversations, the Development Managers’ experience as former practicing attorneys and collaboration with the Firm’s Legal Talent Development Committee, we have developed a robust training program that includes:
- Multi-day conferences at the first, third, and fifth years to mark key career transition points and to connect with associates from other offices and partners from your practice group (STBReady and STBAdvance).
- Internal and external coaching programs with coaches who provide personalized, independent and confidential assistance as you work towards your professional objectives and navigate your career.
- Practice Group and Firm-wide programs that focus on substantive legal topics as well as skills needed for professional development.
- Online training modules on topics such as finance & accounting that can be accessed as your need arises.
All of our programs and resources are supplemented with what is perhaps the most meaningful part of an associate training at Simpson Thacher: experience with partners and senior associates who take the time to discuss client matters, answer questions and help associates throughout their careers.
Associates at all levels are encouraged to participate in the many courses and workshops we offer. Our litigation, corporate and specialty groups, such as Real Estate, Tax, and ECEB, each regularly hold lunches where attorneys present to their colleagues on interesting cases and transactions, as well as relevant developments in the law. We also offer Firm-wide training programs throughout the year to help associates improve their communication, negotiation and management skills. Some of our most popular classes include:
- Communication skills workshops, offered several times a year, which give associates the opportunity to practice effective communication techniques and to receive feedback in individual coaching sessions or in a small, supportive group.
- Management skills workshops, which focus on teaching effective strategies for delegation, supervision and feedback as well as more individually-tailored guidance through smaller group coaching sessions.
- A Supreme Court overview taught by a noted Constitutional Law professor
We also have an online library containing most of our training programs available for viewing by attorneys at their convenience as well as short podcasts on discrete topics for certain practice areas.