Laterals FAQ

Cahill is committed to recruiting the best law students and providing them with the training and guidance necessary to allow them to reach their potential as superior and committed professionals. Hands-on training--as supplemented by our training programs--is the most effective learning tool at our associates’ disposal. We have a longstanding policy of encouraging our associates to be actively engaged in every aspect of the transactions they are involved in and, as such, our approach to staffing is designed to ensure that our associates receive a high level of partner and client contact and are fully engaged in their matters. Our corporate and litigation groups each have a three stage training program. The stages are based upon the professional level of the associates: new associates, junior associates and mid-level associates. The courses are held monthly, are interactive and designed to teach practical skills to associates. The Firm also regularly hosts Continuing Legal Education courses which further supplement associate training and allow associates to maintain their active bar admission status. In 2007, we sponsored 58 programs, which were taught by firm attorneys and outside experts.

Yes. Each new associate, including lateral associates and clerks, are assigned a liaison partner who helps the the new associate integrate into the firm life, monitor progress and workload, and will be responsible for conducting each associate's year-end review.

Cahill has a long and honored tradition of pro bono work. Through its partnership program with The Legal Aid Society, Cahill provides pro bono counsel to young children who are the subjects of abuse and neglect proceedings in New York family Courts, disabled individuals in need of Social Security benefits, immigrant youth who are the subjects of abuse, and tenants who are denied the most basic of services. This partnership affords Cahill associates the opportunity to represent, on a one-on-one basis, clients who lack legal counsel indispensable to secure rights that will profoundly impact their lives. In 2007, Cahill initiated a new project with the Civil Practice's Queens Neighborhood Office. Cahill is recognized for its effective leadership in initiating the Housing Preservation Pro Bono Project with the Queens Neighborhood Office that represents tenants in Housing Court actions to compel landlords to repair dangerous building conditions, threatening life, health, safety and continued occupancy. Additionally, numerous associates recently have undertaken to handle criminal appeals on behalf of indigent defendants as part of Legal Aid’s Criminal Appeals Project. Since we encourage all of our associates to participate in pro bono projects, all pro bono time is included in annual hours.

Yes. Attorneys who are hired upon the completion of a judicial clerkship receive full class credit as well as a clerkship bonus for up to two years of clerkships. Attorneys who are already employed at the firm and leave for a clerkship receive the same benefits upon their return to the firm.

Yes, the firm pays sign-on bonuses of $25,000 to LL.M. (tax) graduates when they start at the firm.

Yes, the firm awards one year of credit to incoming associates who have concurrently obtained a J.D. and M.B.A.