Associate Testimonials

Question: Why did you choose Schiff Hardin?

Paul E. Bateman Jr.
University of Wisconsin Law School, 2010

I chose Schiff Hardin because of the promise that I would continuously grow and develop as a lawyer. I couldn't picture being anywhere else. The firm was committed to developing great lawyers through immediate practical experience, teaching, and mentoring relationships with senior lawyers. In my first year as an associate, I couldn't be happier. Within my first six months at the firm, I was taking depositions, writing discovery documents, and working as part of a successful trial team. From day one, senior attorneys have asked me to perform critical research, draft pleadings, and attend court hearings. Schiff Hardin’s mentoring relationships are organic. For that reason, when I have a question or I'm not sure exactly how to approach a new assignment, I don't have just one person to go to when I need an answer or help: I have ten. Those relationships set the firm apart and are why I feel that I am a better lawyer today than I was yesterday.

I chose Schiff Hardin for a single reason — I wanted to have substantial responsibilities and opportunities as a young associate. After beginning my legal career at a "big box" law firm, where associates vastly outnumbered partners, I sought a law firm where associates worked directly alongside partners and with clients, where I could participate in client meetings and legal strategy sessions not because they were valuable learning experiences, but because I had an integral role to play. The partners and firm as a whole expect a great deal from their associates. That means not only the ability to analyze case law or draft a legal memorandum, but also the capacity at an early stage to directly respond to client requests and make recommendations that your peers will rely on. Associates are highly respected at Schiff. And that, in turn, means that associates are given substantial and immediate responsibility. That should be exciting for any attorney wanting to become a better lawyer. It was for me.

David M. Loring
University of Wisconsin Law School, 2006

Henry P. Behnen
George Washington University Law School, 2010

I chose Schiff for its great balance of challenging work, its genuine desire to immediately give new associates opportunities for real experience, and its collaborative and supportive atmosphere.

Question: How has Schiff Hardin helped you to develop as an attorney?

I am fortunate to work at a firm that genuinely cares about my development as an attorney. Schiff Hardin runs its own intensive litigation training program, sends all of its litigation associates to external NITA training, and encourages associates to attend seminars relevant to their practice. Most importantly, however, Schiff excels at on-the-job training. Unlike many firms of its size, Schiff Hardin staffs most cases with just one associate, and the associate is expected to handle high-level work from the outset. In my second year, for example, I was part of a three-person trial team that defended a brokerage firm client in a series of arbitration hearings. Both partners sat down with me before the hearings to discuss my strategies for several cross-examinations, and again after each day of trial to reflect on which strategies and lines of questions were effective, and why. They encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and I am a better lawyer as a result.

Jacob L. Kahn
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2008

David M. Loring
University of Wisconsin Law School, 2006

I have been fortunate to work closely with partners who have over the years consistently taken the time to explain the business and client-relationship side of every legal decision and recommendation. It is the "lawyering" side that is not taught in law school, but it makes the difference between providing the client the right legal answer versus providing the client the correct legal advice. Every attorney can analyze the law. Schiff has helped me develop my ability to take those analytical skills and apply them to the specific needs of the client. I developed more as an attorney during my first six months at Schiff than in the two years I spent at a "big box" law firm.

Schiff allowed me to choose my own practice area, and try multiple practice areas during my first year before making my decision. This provided me with the opportunity to take my career in my own hands and figure out what area of law is the best fit for me, and where I will excel. After I chose litigation, attorneys at Schiff helped me get staffed on a wide variety of litigation matters, and in my first four years at Schiff, I participated in five trials and arbitrations. I was able to see cases develop from the initial complaint to the final award. This helped me understand the importance of every step in between, and gave me wonderful perspective in applying case strategy to motions practice and discovery to the cases I work on today.

Shelley L. Merkin
University of Michigan Law School, 2007

Yakov P. Wiegmann
University of California — Hastings College of the Law, 2006

Schiff gave me hands-on litigation experience and direct client contact at a very early stage in my career. Very few other large firms offer junior associates these kinds of opportunities.

Question: How has Schiff Hardin been supportive of pro bono and public service?

Rachel F. Sifuentes
Northwestern University School of Law, 2010

As someone with a strong commitment to public service, it was important to me to join a firm that really values its attorneys’ pro bono and public service work. Schiff Hardin supports the pro bono and public service interests of its attorneys in a variety of ways. Schiff Hardin attorneys are encouraged to take on pro bono matters that interest them, whether the matter is assisting a start-up business, representing someone in a divorce proceeding, or working on a criminal defense trial. You can bring in your own matter from an outside group, or you can take on one of the many service and pro bono opportunities the firm finds for you. You’re given "billable" credit for a significant number of pro bono hours. And, although you generally make the decisions about your pro bono matter, counsel the client and "run the show" — your colleagues are always available to help you by sharing their wisdom.

In my time at Schiff Hardin, I have had varied pro bono opportunities including representing a mother in child custody and order of protection hearings, advising senior citizens on methods to protect their assets against predatory creditors, advising small business entrepreneurs in structuring their businesses, negotiating services agreements and providing general corporate advice to a charter school, helping to obtain tax exempt status for a community organization that provides art and gardening lessons to underprivileged children, and negotiating an asset purchase agreement for a local music school that is expanding its offerings. These opportunities have not only allowed me to further my legal training but have allowed me to be engaged in issues and communities to which I have a strong connection. In my experience, Schiff Hardin has made no distinction between a pro bono client and a paying client and has provided the same resources for pro bono matters as it has provided for our largest clients.

Lynn J. Watkins
University of Illinois College of Law, 2005

Question: What do you like about being a lawyer at Schiff Hardin?

John M. Schietinger
DePaul University College of Law, 2006

At Schiff, every day is different. Because Schiff has a broad and diverse client base, unique and interesting legal issues regularly arise. I appreciate having the opportunity to work through those issues with fellow attorneys whose work ethic, professionalism and intelligence consistently impress me. With its skilled and experienced attorneys and support staff, Schiff is a great place to learn to become a great lawyer.