CASE STUDY
Improving Entry-Level Practice Group Assignments by Deploying Assessments and Group Learning
Innovating the integration experience for first-year associates to improve practice group alignment
An Am Law 75 law firm was exploring opportunities to create a more sophisticated integration experience for first-year associates by improving decision-making around practice group placements. The firm chose to implement a pilot program incorporating our Thine Launch assessment for entry-level lawyers, along with group learning experiences and consulting services to provide support in determining how to place its incoming first-year associates within three of their practice groups.
What we’re solving for
Services
Integration
Development
Engagement
Consulting
Our Process
The firm came to us frustrated by the lack of insights and data available to support practice group placement decisions for their first-year associates. The firm wanted to accelerate, and strengthen the basis for, practice group assignments while reducing the resources required and time spent making decisions around where to place first-year associates in light of their limited work experience and lack of familiarity with the practices. To pilot a new approach, the firm leveraged our Thine Launch competency-based assessment to gather
data about the first years’ competencies and critical business skills that aligned with success within each practice group.
In close consultation with the firm, we designed a customized program that encouraged participation by members of the selected practice groups, increased awareness of the professional competencies that comprise the Modern Lawyer Competency Framework™ (the “MLCF”), and increased buy-in. We also supported the firm on appropriate messaging and communications to make the program as impactful as possible.
Result
The firm incorporated our analyses and insights, and leveraged the assessment results and other findings to support informed internal conversations and support their decision-making process about practice group placement for the incoming first years.