Associate Experience

How would you like to be part of a team trying a complex intellectual property case with a partner whom Legal Times named one of Washington's top 20 litigators? Or, what about joining an Antitrust practice that has represented dozens of Fortune 500 companies in recovery actions, and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients through these efforts? One of the first things you'll notice here is the exciting opportunities in every practice area. You may already know about our nationally recognized practices in antitrust, litigation, and government contracts. But did you also know that Crowell & Moring has:

An international trade practice that involves practicing with our Washington, DC, California, New York, Brussels, and London lawyers, as well as with C&M International, an affiliated consulting group made up of former trade negotiators, economists, and political scientists?
A thriving intellectual property practice that has grown from 10 lawyers in 2000 to more than 55 lawyers in 2008?
13 practices ranging from international arbitration to bankruptcy that have received top rankings from Chambers USA?

Our team also has significant practices in the areas of corporate law, energy, environment & natural resources, health care, labor & employment, tax, torts, and white collar & securities, to name a few. As a Crowell & Moring associate, you will have the opportunity to work with premier clients. For example, in the last few years, Crowell & Moring has represented more than two-thirds of the companies on the Fortune 500 list of the largest public companies in America. We also represent smaller clients, including individuals, associations, governments, professional organizations, and universities.

You'll certainly get the essentials when you do research, draft motions, negotiate contracts, interview witnesses, and review documents. But our work assignment system means you'll also get so much more. You'll be involved in the kind of cases that make you feel excited on the way to work and rewarded on the way home. For example:

A team of associates traveled to Turkey and Cyprus to develop facts and interview witnesses for the filing of a new ICSID international arbitration against Turkey.
A number of our associates have assisted one of our litigation partners in serving as libel counsel to The New Republic magazine, which requires them to review each issue prior to publication.
One of our associates served as second chair in the litigation of a $50 million breach of contract claim against the Air Force, during which he cross-examined more than 15 witnesses in Germany.

Life As An Associate at Crowell & Moring

Professional Development and Training
Some firms call it professional development. To us, it's lifelong learning. We start by opening as many doors for you as we can. Many associates join us with particular interests, only to discover that what really gets their hearts beating is something completely different. Sometimes the only way to find out is to try different practice areas. That's why you don't have to specialize immediately. You'll be assigned initially to two groups, but with the opportunity to change later.

Of course, along the way, you'll want to know how you're doing. We'll provide ongoing, informal feedback. And, once a year, we'll thoroughly evaluate you and your work so you can check your progress and take your skills to the next level. Your opinion matters here, too. Our doors are always open to share ideas, views, suggestions, or just talk about any aspect of firm life and governance.

Training opportunities are all around you:

New Lawyer Basic Skills Training—This annual eleven-week fall program includes all you need to know about your first year that they didn't teach you in law school.
NITA Training—Through a collaboration with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, you'll learn by doing in these twice-a-year courses on Fact Investigations, Motions Practice, Expert Witnesses, and more.
Trial Advocacy Training—A thirteen-week program for associates and counsels led by Crowell & Moring partners.
Outside Training—Participate in a range of programs, including workshops, annual meetings, CLE courses—nearly any educational program that will benefit you.

Serving Our Community
Crowell & Moring was the first major firm in the United States to employ a full-time public service counsel, and the importance of her role is evidenced by her partner status. The firm contributes more than 22,000 hours annually on pro bono matters—a more than $8 million investment. It's no wonder we've twice been honored as Pro Bono Firm of the Year in Washington, DC.

While our cases run the gamut from racial discrimination to political asylum, the firm has made a special commitment to children, the homeless, and domestic violence victims. Each and every pro bono client receives the highest caliber representation. We believe in pro bono because we believe in serving our community. By giving to those in need, we enhance the legal skills, knowledge, expertise, character, and integrity of our lawyers.

At Crowell & Moring we appreciate that our success, both as a law firm and as a community of individuals, depends upon creating and maintaining a diverse team of talented professionals. Because we value individuality and recognize that the vitality of our culture is in large measure a function of the different perspectives, histories, and experiences of our lawyers and staff, Crowell & Moring has crafted and implemented a strategic plan to promote diversity within our firm. We have created a $25,000 scholarship for minority law students, established and funded two public service summer internships for Howard University law students, and developed an educational outreach program in our California office to serve predominantly Latino students at the poorest middle school in Orange County. Our "Celebrating Diversity" forum brings everyone in the ? rm together to hear notable speakers from all walks of life.