Texas’ largest firms have hired fewer first-year associates than they did a year ago. But most of those new associates are beginning their jobs this fall — the traditional starting season — rather than facing the three-month or longer deferrals thrust upon 2009′s class of first-years.
For example, in 2009 two large Dallas-based firms, Thompson & Knight and Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, deferred the start dates of their first-year associates for four months, until January 2010. This year both firms invited their new associates to begin their jobs in September.
VIDEOS: Some big-firm partners offer advice to new associates and recall some of their own early days as new lawyers: |
Van Beckwith, hiring partner for the Dallas office of Baker Botts |
Dewey Gonsoulin Jr., partner, Bracewell & Giuliani, Houston |
Wayne Risoli, managing shareholder of Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin, Houston |
| Joe Perillo, hiring partner, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, Houston |
