Law Firms
‘Professional development strategy’ is reason for delayed start date for associates, midsize firm says
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 to see an uptick in needs across the South and Southeast since the beginning of the year.”
Bass Berry has offices in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. It is ranked 133rd on the National Law Journal’s list of the nation’s top 500 firms by head count.
