Working at R+C
As a new or lateral lawyer, you are searching for a culture of collaboration, civility and inclusion; exciting, sophisticated work; extensive training; talented people; the support staff and resources of a large firm; and work-life balance. You will find all of those things at Robinson+Cole. Facilitated by our experienced Talent Management team, your professional and personal experience at Robinson+Cole will be rewarding as you progress in your career.
Mentoring and Career Guidance
Attorneys are matched with mentors who commit themselves to providing guidance and insight into the practice of law and the firm culture of Robinson+Cole. Mentors serve as a resource to discuss everything from substantive work-related questions and how to get things done in the office, to navigating client and practice demands. Whether over coffee or Zoom, your mentors will be there to help you acclimate to the firm and succeed. Additionally, our Talent Management team is here to discuss your career goals and plans and help you move forward in your professional development.
Integration
We want all our new attorneys to quickly feel an important part of the Robinson+Cole family. To help facilitate that, we have developed a comprehensive attorney integration plan to make assimilation into the firm as seamless as possible. Members of our firm, including executive leadership, practice group leaders, mentors, the Talent Management team and administrative staff all participate in executing our attorney integration plans, which includes a variety of actions throughout the course of the attorney’s first year of employment. We also send surveys to new lawyers to gather feedback on how their integration into the firm is progressing.
Professional Development + Training
Our professional development program is designed to facilitate your career growth and development. The program starts with orientation during a lawyer's first week at the firm, including comprehensive technical training, in-depth sessions with members of firm management and our practice groups, mentor sessions, and presentations on what to expect as you navigate your career at Robinson+Cole.
The firm’s Professional Development Committee, comprised of skilled and talented attorneys in a diverse array of practice areas throughout all of our office locations, designs programs to keep our lawyers engaged in growing their substantive knowledge and skill set and advancing their careers. The Committee offers programs on emerging developments in law, practice fundamentals, and loss prevention pointers as well as offering client panels and programs on personal professional development, in addition to other hot topics. Other groups in the firm, such as our Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Committee, Pro Bono Committee, Wellness Committee, Women’s Committee, and Associates Council offer additional programming to further educate our attorneys on subject matter specific to their committees. Our Business Development + Marketing team augments our programming by providing training to assist our attorneys in creating their networks and developing business as they advance at the firm.
In addition to the opportunities addressed above, practice-specific training programs are offered by our Practice Groups. Each practice develops its own specific training programs, conducts internal seminars on current subjects, and invites guest speakers to address timely topics. For example, junior litigation associates participate in our Litigation Academy, which guides them through a series of seminars on different aspects of trial advocacy presented by the litigation partners and counsel of the firm, culminating in mock jury trials conducted by the participants. Litigation Academy participants are coached by senior trial lawyers. The deliberations of the jury, consisting of summer interns and staff, are viewed via closed-circuit television, giving participants a rare look at how juries work toward a verdict. Participants make full use of the firm's technological resources and support staff during the trial.
Our attorneys and staff also have access to programs offered by the Practicing Law Institute, and can consult with their Practice Group Leader, the firm’s Chief Talent Officer or Professional Development Manager to discuss any additional professional development needs they may have.
Feedback and Evaluations
Robinson+Cole recognizes that an essential aspect of growth and development is receiving meaningful feedback at regular intervals. New lawyers are reviewed 90 days after arriving at the firm to provide – and solicit - critically important early feedback. After that, in addition to regular, informal feedback that is given in the regular course of work, the firm provides our Associates with performance evaluations every six months and our Counsel receive feedback annually.
The constructive feedback covers a wide variety of important areas such as legal skills, communication skills, writing ability, relations with clients, and professional conduct. Additionally, the evaluation process includes the opportunity for lawyers to report on, plan and discuss with the firm matters such as community involvement, speaking engagements, publications, and other professional activities.
Contacts
We invite you to contact any member of our Talent Management Team to learn more about a career at Robinson+Cole.
| Catherine Duke | Chief Talent Officer | |
| Christine Cottrell | Senior Manager Lateral Partner Recruiting | |
| Kayla Dias | Legal Recruiting Manager |
Firm Among Top Workplaces 2021 in Connecticut and New York City. View details.
Firm recognized as a 2023 Best Place to Work.
Firm Among 2023 Best 50 Law Firms to Work For. View details.
Firm earns first-tier rankings. View details.
Firm Achieves Mansfield 5.0 Certification. View details.