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FAQ Click on an area below to jump to questions and answers for that subject: What is the application and interview process for experienced attorneys? How are attorneys integrated into Bass, Berry & Sims? How do associates receive assignments? What kind of training will I receive as an associate at Bass, Berry & Sims? Will I be assigned a mentor? How does the review/evaluation process work? Are there billable hour requirements? Are associates encouraged to take on pro bono work? What credit is given to associates with judicial clerkship experience? Does Bass, Berry & Sims offer alternative work arrangements? What if I'm working with a recruiter but I have a friend or acquaintance who is an attorney at Bass, Berry & Sims? Does Bass, Berry & Sims work with search firms? What is the application and interview process for experienced attorneys? Once a need has been established within one of our practice areas, the details will be specified on our Web site (see "Current Needs" section). Candidates who meet our criteria will be screened by the lateral hiring manager or a member of the Lateral Hiring Committee, followed by a full round of interviews. Attorneys interviewing for either our Memphis or Knoxville office also will likely travel to our Nashville office for a round of interviews. Once all evaluations are received following the interview, the Lateral Hiring Committee will meet to determine an offer decision. The offer is then relayed to the candidate and is contingent upon background and reference checks. How are attorneys integrated into Bass, Berry & Sims? At the start of employment, lateral attorneys are provided with an individualized orientation program that introduces them to firm systems and resources. To assist in making the new attorney's entry into our firm as seamless as possible, this orientation covers technology, support resources, processes and procedures. An initial welcome reception, in addition to monthly departmental meetings, is an excellent way for laterals to meet their colleagues and learn what areas of practice and expertise exist within our firm. Welcome breakfasts and lunches are incorporated into the orientation schedule so that the lateral attorney may get to know our attorneys on a more personal level. The lateral hiring manager keeps in contact with the lateral attorney prior to the first day of employment to ensure that any questions during the on-boarding process are answered. Also, the two-day orientation process that occurs for all lateral attorneys in our Nashville office allows the attorney to meet others in the many practice areas in our firm, as well as hear from several of our managers regarding firm practices in client relations, legal research and records management. Once the lateral attorney has settled into practice, other opportunities for exposure within and outside of our firm are helpful, such as participation in the summer associate and fall recruiting activities, interviewing other potential lateral attorneys and participating in firmwide committees. How do associates receive assignments? Each practice area has its own approach to the allocation of assignments to its associates, due to the different types of clients represented or the nature of the practice.  However, the overall goal in our firm is the same - to provide each associate the opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience and the chance to work with a variety of attorneys. We also encourage our associates to take initiative and to assume as much responsibility as they can handle. We expect that our associates will make a significant contribution on their matters. Bass, Berry & Sims maintains an "open-door" policy, encouraging interaction among all attorneys. By working directly with partners, you will learn from experienced practitioners and see how they interact with clients and tackle issues. What kind of training will I receive as an associate at Bass, Berry & Sims?   The relationship between partners and associates is the primary source of practice area-specific training and development. You will find that by working closely with partners and other  attorneys, you will acquire invaluable expertise in your practice area. In addition, our practice areas hold regular training sessions for all attorneys, which offer them the opportunity to understand our firm's specialties and to develop more depth in particular practice areas.  Formal CLE training opportunities are encouraged in order to fulfill mandatory state bar requirements and expenses for attending seminars are funded by our firm. Will I be assigned a mentor? All associates are assigned a supervising attorney who is responsible for overseeing an associate's work allocation as well as his or her professional development. For our incoming junior associates, an associate mentor is also assigned to aid in familiarizing the new associate to both our firm and his or her designated practice area.  Beyond this process, we find that frequently the most valuable mentoring relationships develop informally, through shared work experiences and shared interests. How does the review/evaluation process work? Our firm's Associate Evaluation Committee monitors and conducts our annual evaluation process by soliciting feedback on an individual associate from those attorneys with whom he or she has worked over the year.  Associates are evaluated on criteria such as ethical judgment, intellectual and analytical skills, client service and interpersonal skills.  The associate completes a self-evaluation that is considered a key component to the feedback process in order to identify projects on which he or she has worked as well as goals and thoughts for improvement over the next evaluation year.  The review session with the associate's supervising attorney and another partner within the practice area provides the associate with a candid and objective appraisal of his or her career progression based on the comments received.  Beyond the formal process, partners and senior attorneys with whom the associate works are encouraged to provide ongoing, informal feedback on the projects on which the associate works as an integral part of his or her development. Are there billable hour requirements?   Yes; however, our firm believes that the significance of our attorneys' work should not be viewed by hours alone. In order to qualify for the annual hours bonus, attorneys are expected to reach a minimum range of 1850-2050 billable hours as well as 50 non-billable hours. Are associates encouraged to take on pro bono work? Yes. We encourage our attorneys to volunteer for pro bono projects and to identify pro bono projects in which they have a particular interest. We recognize the significance of giving back to our communities, and have a proven track record of supporting a variety of pro bono interests in large and small cases, both litigation and transactional. What credit is given to associates with judicial clerkship experience? Bass, Berry & Sims recognizes the importance and benefits of judicial clerkships in preparing attorneys for the practice of law. More than 25 of our attorneys served as law clerks for trial and appellate judges in both state and federal courts. Our firm provides a bonus and gives class credit to associates joining our firm directly from a federal court clerkship. Does Bass, Berry & Sims offer alternative work arrangements? Bass, Berry & Sims recognizes that an individual attorney may choose for a variety of reasons, both personal and professional, to reduce the amount of time devoted to practicing law. Our firm has a practice of accommodating and encouraging both male and female attorneys who request an alternative work arrangement. Attorneys in alternative work arrangements are eligible for and may continue to progress toward partnership. What if I'm working with a recruiter but I have a friend or acquaintance who is an attorney at Bass, Berry & Sims? You should tell the recruiter (in writing) that you do not want him or her to submit your resume to Bass, Berry & Sims because you already have a contact at our firm. At that time, please forward your resume to your contact who will then forward it to our lateral hiring manager. Does Bass, Berry & Sims work with search firms? Search firms which have a current contract with Bass, Berry & Sims PLC are invited to submit candidate introductions for specifically identified positions, and only if so requested.  We will not accept introductions from search firms with which we do not have an established contract.  Only introductions provided directly to the firm's Professional Recruiting Department () will be considered properly submitted to the firm. In accordance with the NALSC Code of Ethics, candidates shall be referred only with prior authorization of Bass, Berry & Sims.  Posting of the positions on this website does not authorize placement search firms or other third parties to directly solicit candidates on the firm's behalf.  We prefer excellent academic achievement in law school and prior legal experience.  With respect to judicial clerks, please note that we do not accept judicial clerk resumes from search firms and will not pay a fee to a search firm that forwards the resume of a judicial clerk. If you have any questions concerning our placement policies or wish to discuss a potential working relationship with the firm, please contact LuAnn Tibbetts, Lateral Hiring Manager, . For information about our law student and judicial clerk hiring, please click here. For information about our non-lawyer staffing needs, please click here. If you encounter difficulties, please let us know at: . Bass, Berry & Sims PLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.