At Schiff Hardin, we have abandoned the "lockstep" approach to associate advancement because we recognize that every lawyer's career progresses differently. Our associates can and do move along the development curve in accordance with their skills, their desire for new and more challenging experiences, and the opportunities available in their practice groups. Our approach allows — indeed, it encourages — flexibility, and we foster a system that allows associates to set the course of their own careers. In recruiting lawyers who will succeed at Schiff Hardin, we look for candidates who are energetic, enthusiastic and eager to start "practicing law" on day one — to exercise judgment, take ownership of their careers and their responsibilities, and interact directly with clients and outside attorneys. We staff matters leanly. Typically the team handling a litigation matter or a transaction includes only one partner and one associate. Therefore, our goal is to recruit lawyers who are not just willing to take on substantial responsibility, but who relish that opportunity. We want to recruit law students who possess these traits at the outset and help them develop their legal skills at a pace that suits them.