Lawyers who are successful at Schiff Hardin generally share certain core qualities and values that unite us as a firm. While individual practice groups may emphasize certain skills and personal qualities over others, as a firm we agree on the traits and values that we seek in our colleagues and that best predict success at Schiff Hardin. Those qualities and values include the following:
Firm Values
Commitment to Excellence. A personal commitment to do excellent work and provide excellent client service, and a dedication — even at great personal sacrifice — to meet that standard.
Character/Integrity. A commitment to professionalism and the ethical practice of law, the improvement of our community through pro bono work, and the fair treatment of our clients and each other.
Success Traits
Initiative/Ambition. A strong desire to succeed; to learn and seek out new challenges and additional and more difficult work and responsibilities; performs at the highest level to best serve our clients; takes personal ownership for career progression.
Productivity/Effectiveness. Willing to meet the demands of our profession and the firm’s expectations; efficiently produces useful work product on multiple matters without sacrificing timeliness or quality of work; demonstrates meticulous attention to detail.
Analytical Skill/Legal Judgment. Researches and analyzes complex issues efficiently and exhaustively; identifies and evaluates alternative strategies, and formulates creative, cost-effective and legally sound solutions; acts independently to make difficult and time-sensitive decisions.
Oral and Written Communication. Organizes and presents complex ideas in a clear, cogent, polished and persuasive manner; advances clients’ interests in adversarial and non-adversarial settings; speaks with confidence that is rooted in substantive excellence.
Teamwork. Leads, follows, coaches, supervises, or collaborates with others to deliver efficient and high quality service to our clients; values others’ input; takes on work based on the needs of the firm and our clients.
Interpersonal Skills. Builds rapport and establishes relationships with colleagues, clients and staff; displays maturity and good judgment; shows grace under pressure and a fundamental sense of stability and resiliency.
Client Focus. Demonstrates a sense of urgency by quickly responding to client needs and concerns; takes ownership of clients’ problems; invests time and energy in learning clients’ businesses, goals and strategies; participates in firm’s business development efforts.
Commitment to the Firm. Has a long-term desire to work in private practice and to become a partner at Schiff Hardin; feels personally responsible for developing expertise, establishing a strong reputation and bringing in business; contributes to the strength and success of the firm, through recruiting, mentoring and training.