Hiring Philosophy

As part of its commitment to provide the highest quality of legal representation to its clients, the firm continually strives to attract highly talented lawyers and to assist in their professional growth. The firm hires only associates it believes have the potential to become partners. It seeks candidates who have demonstrated academic and personal achievement and who are eager to assume substantial responsibility at an early stage in their legal careers. The firm is proud that its attorneys are drawn from many of the nations finest universities and law schools, and it will continue to seek candidates with diverse and exceptional academic credentials.

Work Assignments

The firm makes every effort to accommodate an associate's special interest and training. For associates with demonstrated experience or education in a particular area of the law, the firm will generally limit the associate's work assignments to the area of concentration. For recent law school graduates who are open to broader experiences, the firm can offer work assignments in any area of the firm's practice. The goal is to assist each associate in discovering and fully developing his or her particular areas of interest and ability. Workloads are monitored and adjusted, when necessary, as a result of information obtained through the firm's procedure for the evaluation of associates.

Evaluation of Associates

The firm uses a combination of informal and formal methods for evaluation of associates. Associates and partners work together on most assignments, and all partners recognize their responsibility to provide guidance and evaluation to associates. In this way, associates receive feedback and training from the partnership on a regular basis. In addition, the firm utilizes an Associate Review Committee, which meets periodically with associates to provide formal, individualized feedback. Of course, all partners have an open-door policy and are available to associates to discuss client matters or professional matters at any time.

Compensation

The firm's broad compensation package ranks near the top of the Capital District market and is augmented by unique incentives for associates to develop their private practices. The firm provides a starting salary that is competitive with that offered by other major firms in the area, and provides annual salary adjustments. In establishing a particular associate's salary, the firm provides consideration to professional experience prior to an associate's hire, such as judicial clerkships. In addition, each associate is permitted to keep a portion of fees earned from the associate's personal clients. The firm's compensation package also includes medical, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, participation in the firm's retirement plan, matching contributions to the firm's 401(k) plan, parking, and bar association membership.

Inquiries

To inquire about employment with the firm, forward correspondence to George J. Szary, Esq., Recruiting Partner, DeGraff, Foy, & Kunz, LLP, 90 State Street, Albany, New York 12207.