A hallmark of our assignment system is flexibility. In contrast to the practice at other firms of adhering to strict specialized group or partner rotations, at S&C the associate’s professional training and career are not tied to a particular partner’s style, client base or practice area. As a result, our associates benefit from exposure to a broad range of matters within their practice areas and across practice groups.
At the same time, we have formal assignment systems that ensure associates receive a balanced level of work as well as a customized mix of assignments that allow them to develop the qualities common to high-performing S&C lawyers and to meet key development milestones. This cross-disciplinary approach—which combines S&C's assignment system, formal learning curriculum, advisor program, performance evaluation process and pro bono initiatives—makes its lawyers better counselors to their clients.
S&C's generalist approach carries through to each of its 13 offices. Lawyers in our California; Washington, D.C.; European; and Asia-Pacific offices are staffed on matters alongside their colleagues in New York, and vice versa. 90 lawyers have rotated through S&C’s offices around the world during the past five years. Further, the Firm maintains a low associate/partner ratio to ensure consistent, hands-on engagement throughout the course of any matter, providing associates opportunities to work closely with partners in virtually every S&C office and to take on significant responsibility from the very start of their careers.