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Phelps Dunbar hires highly motivated
law students with outstanding academic records and diverse
interests. The firm recruits from law schools in Louisiana,
Mississippi, Florida and Texas, as well as other major law
schools around the country. In addition, throughout the
year, we hire a number of lateral attorneys who have relevant
experience in one or more of our practice areas. In recruiting
both law students and experienced attorneys, we are interested
in individuals who are bright, motivated, and committed
to developing their legal skills, as well as growing as
professionals.
The summer associate program is
the firm's principal method of recruiting new lawyers, and
each year a considerable percentage of the new attorneys
hired are former summer associates. The purpose of the summer
associate program is to provide a realistic view of the
practice of law at Phelps Dunbar. Summer associates are
assigned to work with one or more practice groups based
on their preference and the needs of the firm. Within each
practice group, a senior associate monitors the assignment
of projects to ensure that work is equally distributed and
that each summer associate receives substantial contact
with the attorneys in the group. Specific partners act as
mentors to provide informal evaluations and advice. In addition,
an attorney liaison is assigned to each summer associate
to help acclimate the summer associate to the firm and practice
group.
Realizing that the ultimate goal of a summer associate is
to make an informed career decision, we encourage involvement
in the active, day-to-day practice of the firm's attorneys,
including depositions, investigations, hearings, motions
and trials, and corporate and commercial closings. The firm
sponsors a number of social and professional functions to
provide opportunities for attorneys and summer associates
to become acquainted on a personal basis.
Phelps Dunbar prides itself on the legal abilities and personal
qualities of the attorneys who practice at the firm. As
growth continues, we recognize the importance of maintaining
both our standards of excellence and the congeniality we
have always enjoyed.
Offers for employment are extended by practice groups depending
upon a candidate's interests and the firm's needs. Within
each practice group, new associates can expect to work with
one or two partners and with other associates. The primary
assignment to a particular practice group is to ensure that
associates receive proper training, guidance, and advice
in their specific legal field. Associates will, however,
have opportunities to work with attorneys from different
groups handling cases or transactions that cross our organizational
lines. New associates are encouraged to quickly assume responsibility
on assigned transactions and cases. To promote professional
advancement, associates are encouraged to attend, at the
firm's expense, selected seminars in their individual practice
area. In addition, the firm offers an extensive in-house
training program specific to particular practice areas.
Associate salaries at Phelps
Dunbar are commensurate with other firms in our region.
In addition to competitive base salaries, the firm has a
bonus program that affords associates the opportunity to
earn up to an additional 20% of salary. Participation in
the firm's 401(k) deferred compensation program is offered
to associates after the appropriate waiting period. The
firm provides health insurance, which includes hospitalization
and major medical coverage; health insurance for family
members is available at associates' expense. In addition,
the firm provides life insurance, long-term disability insurance,
short-term disability pay, business-travel-accident insurance,
an employee assistance program, and paid vacation. The firm
pays license fees, bar association dues, bar review and
examination fees, and provides an allowance for approved
moving expenses.
Phelps Dunbar seeks the same
qualities in its associates that it requires from its partners.
Consequently, we would hope and expect that those qualities
will lead the associate to ultimate favorable consideration
for partnership. Associates receive formal, annual evaluations
advising them of their progress based upon comments from
partners with whom an associate has worked. Associates are
currently hired on a minimum of a seven-year track to partnership;
some credit may be given for judicial clerkships and other
legal experience. The firm also offers non-traditional attorney
positions, such as counsel, and staff attorney. Additional
information about these positions is available upon request.
Phelps Dunbar’s Jackson
office now offers an innovative program for federal and
state appellate law clerks who would like to become law
professors and want a place to work while producing publishable
articles.
In the fall of 2003, Phelps Dunbar will hire two former
judicial clerks with the understanding that they will work
with the firm’s appellate lawyers for two years on
a reduced schedule (25% less than other associates). The
reduced schedule will allow the time necessary to produce
a publishable article each year. Salary will be in the range
of that paid other associates, with opportunities to earn
an additional bonus.
Phelps Dunbar is committed to a policy
against discrimination in interviewing and hiring and all
other aspects of employment based upon gender, race, color,
national origin, age, disability, veteran status, religion,
or sexual orientation.
For additional information about
opportunities in any of the firm's offices,
please contact:
Ms. Tory George Nieset, Director of Legal Personnel and
Recruiting
Phelps Dunbar LLP
Canal Place, 365 Canal Street, Suite 2000
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-6534
(504) 566-1311
email: niesett@phelps.com
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