Troutman Pepper, Davis Polk Cases Put Partners' Feedback for Associates Under the Microscope

A recent lawsuit and an ongoing trial highlight the challenges that supervisors face in delivering constructive criticism to underperforming attorneys.

January 23, 2024 at 03:01 PM

6 minute read

Diversity

Amanda O'Brien

The original version of this story was published on The American Lawyer

What You Need to Know

Associate feedback is in the spotlight following ongoing cases against two Am Law 100 firms.
Partners often struggle to provide constructive criticism to associates, lacking the time to piece together thoughtful and productive feedback.
Experts suggest setting clear expectations and assuming good intentions on the part of associates when assembling feedback.

Partners struggle to offer feedback to associates, and the racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit recently filed against Troutman Pepper Hamilton & Sanders and an ongoing trial in which Davis Polk & Wardwell is defending itself against similar accusations demonstrate how the blurry line between constructive criticism and microaggressions serves to complicate the matter.