The COACH Program
Snell & Wilmer offers formal mentoring opportunities through our COACH program. The COACH program is designed with an eye towards providing appropriate mentorship for associates at each level of their career. Attorneys in their first two years of practice are generally paired with one partner mentor and one associate mentor. Attorney Development encourages associates and mentors to develop their relationships and hosts opportunities for them to meet socially throughout the year. As new associates graduate to mid-level associates, different mentoring needs develop.
Adjustments in pairings are designed to further assist with development, including transitioning the associate to overseeing some work, providing feedback to the associate as he/she develops, and identifying opportunities for business development. Finally, as attorneys grow into senior associates, the firm designates a Partnership Advisor to assist the senior associates with understanding, preparing for, and navigating the partnership process (or alternative career tracks, when desired). The Partnership Advisor also helps the senior associate meet the expectations outlined in the firm’s Credo.
Mentoring Relationships
To maximize the utility of the mentor/mentee relationship, Attorney Development provides mentors with a variety of resources to build a successful coaching relationship with their mentees, including offering helpful tips for addressing important issues, providing suggestions for creating an open dialogue, and offering recommendations for building a strong and supportive professional relationship. Attorney Development also circulates monthly COACH emails to all attorneys with tips and topics for mentors to discuss with their mentees. The Committee focuses on mentorship issues on an on-going basis, through meetings, lunches, coffee dates, and one-on-one meetings as necessary throughout the year.
In addition to the formal COACH program, many attorneys also develop informal mentoring relationships with colleagues at the firm. Attorneys across all experience levels at Snell & Wilmer take genuine interest in training and developing the firm’s associates, recognizing that, with proper mentorship and guidance, our associates will one day become successful partners at the firm.