The PDC Link

Dear Colleague:   The NALP Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of an important and timely new research study on age-diverse mentoring relationships within law firms.  The NALP Foundation is partnering with the University of Maryland, College Park and George Mason University to undertake this research in order to gain additional insight into mentoring relationships and the role that age disparity can play in the successes or challenges of the relationship.   Mentoring...

Recently, Thomson Reuters’ West LegalEdcenter released its New Associate Training Satisfaction Survey, which sought to measure current behavior and attitudes of new associates relating to their first-year training in their respective law firms and identify opportunities to improve new associate training. The survey was completed in June, as a 15-minute survey that was deployed online. Using a demographic sample provided by Thomson Reuters, respondents were invited to participate via email,...

Once again, we are pleased to announce that our Summer Conference from July 21-23 was an outstanding event, chock-full of opportunities to engage with industry experts, connect with peers, and even enjoy the Florida setting with a few fantastic social activities! PDC Members, First-Time Attendees, and Trusted Advisors alike all found plenty to learn, enjoy, and take home to share with their colleagues. We could tell the story of the conference in words, but it’s a lot more fun to show photos...

So many of us are tasked with the responsibility of developing and mentoring others to maximize their professional experience, but who’s helping you?  We are. Come to the 2015 PDC Winter Meeting to access tools to help you assess your performance, identify your work styles, and develop your full potential.  Spend the day focused on you.  It’s like a spa day for your career. Join your colleagues from across the country as we explore ways to become better thought leaders,...

Here are five key skills your clients wish your young associates had:        INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS:  To best understand your clients, young lawyers must “get smart” about the relevant company, industry, product, etc. What products or services does the company sell? What are the revenues, sales volume, costs, and profits? How are these changing over time and why? What’s happening in your client’s industry, and how does your client’s experience...

Luckily, my first PDC conference was also my first PDC speaking opportunity.  What a great initiation to the PDC!  Before I set foot in San Francisco for the conference, I worked with some of the wonderful PDC event planners and organizers. They made planning the program easy and provided all the resources and assistance that I needed. I was impressed. And, I was impressed as an attendee. The PDC appeals to a range of interests and isn’t afraid to allow anecdotal programs to offer...

I’m back in my office after an amazing PDC Summer Conference feeling energized, creative, and connected.  The 2015 Summer Conference in San Francisco was my fourth PDC conference, and an amazing way to celebrate our organization’s 25th Anniversary – our first sold out conference! The event was jam-packed with interesting and innovative sessions. As a conference planning committee member, I know how hard we tried to develop different ways for people to connect with one another, to meet and...