Summer Associates

• Summer Program
• FAQ
• Events
• Professional Development
• On-Campus Interview Schedule
• Diversity in Recruitment
• NALP Form
• Where We Live
• Community Involvement
• What Others Say About Us
• Find an Attorney

Professional Development Training Associates Once a new associate begins work at our firm, he or she is assigned to a particular practice area.  We have generally been successful in making assignments to practice areas in accordance with the new associate's expressed interests.  Movement of attorneys from one practice to another in response to individual wishes and developing firm needs is not unusual. While assigned to a specific practice area, the associate will be given the opportunity to work with a variety of attorneys throughout our firm.  Responsibility is given to new associates as rapidly as possible commensurate with his or her training and experience, including client contact from the start. Due to the responsibilities the new associates receive early on, our firm is dedicated to the necessary training to assist them in their practice.  Our firm has resources and technology and a full-service library as well as access to and ongoing training for the resources available through Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw, the Internet, etc. We consider our secretarial and paralegal staff to be the best in the area. Supervising Attorneys Each associate is assigned a supervising attorney when he or she joins our firm.  The role of the supervising attorney is to lend guidance throughout the years as the associate develops which includes overseeing his or her workload and progress as an attorney, as well as monitoring the associate's general well-being and satisfaction with our firm. Evaluation Process/Feedback Bass, Berry & Sims has an Associate Development Committee designed to provide a periodic evaluation process.  The associates should also expect more frequent meetings with their supervising attorneys to review ongoing progress. Membership Track 7 to 9 years - Associates are considered for membership based on individual performances. Continuing Legal Education The Tennessee Bar requires each attorney to complete 12 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) and an additional three hours of ethics training annually.  Our firm pays for your CLE, plus the cost of travel, lodging and food for out-of-town seminars.  In addition, we host several CLE seminars throughout the year, and firm attorneys are welcome to attend any or all of these events.