Frequently Asked Questions 

How does Kramer Levin ensure that lateral associates are properly integrated into the firm?

Each new associate participates in the Lateral Associate Integration Program, which connects them to other associates at the firm and provides them with important information on firm programs, committees, procedures and resources. The main features of this program include a lateral associate orientation, a formal associate buddy, periodic check point meetings with the Professional Development department and availability of a Lateral Associate Advisory Group.

Kramer Levin also has various events, lunches and programs throughout the year which help lateral associates meet other associates and partners at the firm and in their departments.

What is Kramer Levin’s approach to training and development?

Kramer Levin strongly believes in the importance of developing its attorneys and offers a variety of formal training programs to supplement attorneys’ on-the-job experiences.

Throughout the year, the firm holds a number of trainings, professional development programs and departmental lunches. Programs include the nuts and bolts of litigation and transaction practice for junior attorneys, interactive skills programs such as deposition trainings and drafting and writing programs, and practice-area specific trainings.

In addition, Kramer Levin encourages attorneys to attend educational programs sponsored by bar associations and other organizations. The firm has partnered with the New York City Bar Association, Practicing Law Institute and Cognistar, all leading providers of continuing legal education, to offer additional live and on-line training programs across a broad range of areas. Associates also receive a sizable annual budget that can be used to attend outside continuing legal education programs and certain bar association activities of their choice.

Does the firm provide mentors to associates?

Associates (in certain class years) participate in a firm-wide mentoring program and are generally paired with partner mentors of their choice. Departments also have formal and informal mentoring opportunities for their associates.

How is work assigned to associates?

Each department determines the appropriate staffing procedures for their group. In certain departments, a specific partner serves as the staffing partner for the department and such partner helps allocate certain projects to associates. In other departments, associates obtain all assignments directly from partners and more senior associates in their group.

Does Kramer Levin have a formal evaluation process for associates?

Yes. Each associate participates in the firm’s annual evaluation process. The firm also provides first-year and lateral associates with mid-year evaluations, so these new associates can get formal feedback earlier.

In addition to these formal evaluations, Kramer Levin also encourages partners and senior associates to provide more junior associates with regular, informal feedback.

How much pro bono work do Kramer Levin lawyers do?

Pro bono work is an important part of our practice, although there is no mandatory pro bono requirement. Our firm was a charter member of Volunteers of Legal Service, Inc. (VOLS), which was launched as a pro bono project of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York in 1984. As a VOLS participating firm, we pledge to devote a minimum overall of 30 hours per year per attorney. In most years, we substantially exceed this 30-hour minimum figure. The firm is also a signatory of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, sponsored by the Pro Bono Institute, through which we pledge to devote three percent of our billable time to qualifying pro bono legal services.

Do pro bono hours count toward billing targets or associate bonuses?

Yes. Pro bono hours count for bonus purposes. The firm treats pro bono work like billable matters in all respects.

Does the firm support associates’ participation in bar associations?

Yes. The firm provides each associate with a sizable annual budget that can be used for any two bar association memberships, certain bar association activities and outside continuing legal education programs.

Does Kramer Levin encourage associates to engage in business development initiatives?

Yes. Kramer Levin strongly supports associates’ business development efforts. Associates in their third-year and above are provided with a business development entertainment expense account. This expense account can be used to entertain current and potential clients.

In addition, the firm also financially rewards an associate for business development – Kramer Levin pays a fee to an associate who is responsible for originating business with a new client, and this fee generally amounts to seven percent of all collections on such originating business.

Are there ways in which associates can participate in firm management?

Attorneys at all levels can take an active part in Kramer Levin's management and direction.

The Associates Committee, comprised of elected associate representatives from different departments, plays an important role in the firm’s management. The Committee meets with the Managing Partner throughout the year and discusses associate questions, issues and concerns.

Associates also participate in four other key firm Committees: Summer Associate Steering, Pro Bono, Women’s Initiatives and Diversity.

Does Kramer Levin have an alternative work schedule/part-time policy?

Yes. The firm recognizes that over the course of a long career, family or other compelling personal circumstances may arise that require a lawyer to seek some accommodations in his or her schedule in order to help balance the demands of personal life with the responsibilities of professional life. Kramer Levin appreciates that a lawyer can work a reduced schedule and also make a meaningful contribution to the firm’s practice.

What type of support and technology does Kramer Levin provide to its attorneys?

Our support staff, which includes paralegals, secretaries, technology specialists and reference librarians, is an important part of Kramer Levin’s collaborative effort to help attorneys work as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Kramer Levin also provides attorneys with technology resources and benefits. The firm supplies Blackberry™ handheld devices to all attorneys. In addition, the firm will subsidize a personal computer through its Home Computer Reimbursement Program for associates and special counsel.

Does Kramer Levin have a global reach and a recognizable client base?

Our clients range from Fortune 100 and Global 1000 companies, privately held companies, individuals, and emerging growth entities, across a broad range of industries. The firm also has a Paris office and close relationships with law firms throughout the world who refer work to the New York office.