When Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom’s new associates show up for their first few weeks at the firm, they have little interaction outside of their cohort. Instead of billing hours, taking on work from partners or handling client matters, Skadden associates instead focus on learning about the firm’s culture and values, brushing up on business basics and getting to know one another.

“This is the most of their undivided attention we’ll ever have, and we take advantage of it,” Jodie Garfinkel, Skadden’s director of attorney development and professional personnel, says.