Continuing Education
Life-long learning is an important Sutherland philosophy, one that is a valued part of our culture. As such, everyone from summer associates to senior partners participates in both formal and informal programs designed to sharpen skills, integrate new attorneys into the firm and increase understanding of topics important to our clients. These programs, overseen by our cross-office Professional Development Committee, demonstrate our commitment to the professional growth and advancement of every Sutherland attorney.
SABLE Legal Education
SABLE (which stands for Sutherland Asbill & Brennan Legal Education), our nationally ranked in-house training program, offers more than 100 substantive and skills-based programs year round, most of which qualify for CLE credit. Current training topics include recent developments in our practice areas, ethics and professionalism, finance and accounting, advanced legal writing, and business development and management skill-building. Sutherland is fortunate to have an on-site mock courtroom, complete with state-of-the-art technology. Lessons learned from trial advocacy, negotiation and other offered courses resonate even more in this real-world environment.
Orientation and Integration Programs
In addition to SABLE training, Sutherland offers a variety of orientation and integration programs to our attorneys. We request that new associates attend a two-day firm orientation event designed to ease the transition into practice. Our career planning program, one of the first of its kind in the country, outlines a unique approach to career counseling through customized individual planning. We also offer a structured mentorship program, through which we encourage regular feedback and interaction with attorneys of all levels by pairing each associate with both an experienced associate and partner adviser. These advisers are available to answer any questions our new attorneys may have about life at Sutherland.
Sutherland regularly hosts a number of off-site retreats, including events geared toward specific practice groups, diverse attorneys and women attorneys. Agendas at past meetings have included partner-led workshops on practice growth and pathways to partnership, as well as client-led discussions of expectations.
Firm Leadership Opportunities
We also encourage associate participation in firm governance. Our attorneys serve in a wide range of capacities, including on committees such as the Hiring Committee, the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Professional Development Committee.
For detailed information regarding professional development at Sutherland, please click here.