A midsize firm claims that the delay in starting associates is due to a ‘professional development strategy.
Law Firms
‘Professional development strategy’ is reason for delayed start date for associates, midsize firm says
August 15, 2024, 11:25 am CDT
Midsize law firm Bass, Berry & Sims is pushing back the start date for its 22 incoming associates from September to January. (Image from Shutterstock)
Midsize law firm Bass, Berry & Sims is pushing back the start date for its 22 incoming associates from September to January.
The delay is a “professional development strategy” intended to give current junior associates more experience in transactional matters amid an uptick in such work, said Kerry Price, the firm’s chief strategy officer, in a statement.
Law360, Law.com and Bloomberg Law (via How Appealing) have coverage.
The delayed associates will receive stipends.
Bloomberg Law and Law.com spoke with recruiters who don’t think that other firms will follow suit.
“I don’t think this is a ‘canary in the coalmine’ situation,” said Rebecca Glatzer, a recruiter with recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa, in an interview with Bloomberg Law. “I continue seeing an increase in needs across the South & Southeast since the start of the year.”
Bass, Berry & Sims has offices in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. It is ranked as 133rd in the National Law Journal list of the top 500 firms in the United States by headcount.
