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Compensation

We pay associates a competitive salary in each of our markets. We also provide our associates with a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package.

Starting salary for first-years is $160,000. All associates are eligible for a bonus based on billable hours and work quality.
We offer a complete associate benefit package that includes:

• Group health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Four weeks of vacation
• On-site fitness center
• A $10,000 advance and bar exam registration and review course fees for first year associates
• Continuing legal education programs (including membership in the Practising Law Institute)
• Bar association membership
• 401(k)
• 12 weeks paid disability leave for maternity plus four weeks paid childcare leave for male associates
• Emergency back-up child care program
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Business casual attire

Assignments

The Firm does not have a rotation system for first years. Prior to starting, new associates are asked to rank their practice group preferences. Upon arrival, each first year enters a practice group, which generally matches the associate's preference. Each practice group has its own system for assigning work to associates.

Bar Review Expenses and Salary Advance

Thacher Proffitt pays the advance registration tuition of a bar review course for first-year associates and laterally hired associates from out-of-state. In addition, first years may request an interest-free loan of up to $10,000, which is repaid on a monthly basis over the course of the first year of the associate's employment at the Firm.

Performance Reviews

First-year associates receive formal reviews twice during their first year with the Firm. After the first year, associates are reviewed annually using written performance evaluation forms sent to partners and senior associates in the Fall. Reviews based on the written performance evaluation forms are conducted by the associate's supervising partner and a partner on the Legal Personnel Committee.

Training

Associate training is primarily on-the-job, or in connection with specific matters on which they are working. Thacher Proffitt counsels clients with large and complex commercial transactions; cases staffed with teams of lawyers; and small, routine matters staffed with one or two lawyers. This range affords ample opportunity for junior associates who are ready for significant responsibility--it hones their drafting and negotiating experience, court appearances and client contact.

In addition, formal and extensive training programs conducted by each practice group are designed to enhance the substantive knowledge and the skills of associates.

Training Topics Include:

• Ethics Training
• How to Be A Good Associate
• Legal Writing Workshop
• Marketing and an Introduction to Business Development
• Numerous practice specific programs
• Professional Responsibility
• Records Management
• Research Techniques
• Westlaw and Library Usage & Procedures

Part-time

Most of Thacher Proffitt's part-time associates previously worked a full-time schedule. Requests by an associate to assume a part-time schedule are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the needs of the associate and the practice group.