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Ranked as one of the largest law firms in the Triangle, Smith Debnam has established a diverse, highly regarded law practice offering a wealth of opportunity. Our attorneys are recognized leaders in their practice areas, earning themselves and our firm the highest professional rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory. Over one-fourth of our attorneys have been certified as specialists in their practice concentrations, an accomplishment claimed by few firms. They routinely maintain leadership roles in national professional and industry organizations, as well as in the local
community.
Finding The Right People
Our firm attracts attorneys who seek a meaningful law career characterized by a professional work ethic and a commitment to meeting our clients' needs. The firm commonly hires graduating law school students as new associates, as well as lateral candidates with varying levels of experience. Smith Debnam invests significant time and resources into its summer associate program, providing a unique hands-on experience for law students while creating an opportunity to evaluate entry level candidates (see
Summer Associates page). We also periodically recruit experienced attorneys with proven skill and varying levels of experience to fill specific positions within our practice areas. Ideal candidates from any source have distinguished academic credentials, strong interpersonal skills, excellent writing ability and a desire to participate and succeed in a law firm
environment.
Opportunity To Grow
Smith Debnam typically challenges associates very early on with front-line responsibility, including direct client contact and significant court exposure. Regardless of experience level, however, a plan for each attorney’s activity and development is annually mapped out through the preparation of a written attorney plan, prepared by each associate with their supervising partner. These plans not only set professional and practice goals, but also provide the game plan for their attainment. As part of the annual planning process, budgets are developed to support each attorney’s unique needs for CLE and client development
expenditures.
Each associate is also assisted in identifying learning partners, both within and without the firm, as a resource for additional insight and guidance on career and professional matters. We recognize that people learn best from those individuals whom they respect and connect, and work to support each associate in building those relationships that will provide effective mentoring.
Our Attorney Development Program also provides a structured, accountable program through which our attorneys are challenged to increase self-awareness, identify opportunities for continued professional growth, and develop specific learning plans with the
action steps to move their careers forward. Each attorney is consistently challenged and encouraged to strive for attaining the highest possible achievement in each of our identified areas of core competency. The Attorney Development Program also provides opportunities for independent and confidential coaching to assist each attorney in their ongoing
development.
Each attorney receives an annual performance review, which brings together all of the various ongoing developmental efforts into a structured dialogue with the appropriate partners to work closely with each associate in developing a successful and satisfying legal
career.
Collegial Environment
Strong working relationships within any organization thrive on open communication. At Smith Debnam, we take proactive steps to foster professional and personal dialogue among our partners and associates. One example is the weekly Friday gathering of our attorneys for an informal lunch, providing a relaxed and unstructured setting for sharing current experiences, both professional and personal. In addition, each year the firm conducts an off-site two-day retreat for its attorneys. This retreat serves as a forum to review and celebrate the past year’s performance and recognize individual achievements, provide professional development content and challenge, focus on current developments in our law practice and engage in a planning and goal-setting dialogue. It also provides an opportunity for our attorneys to relax and have fun, enjoying time together away from the demands of the
office.
If you are interested in discussing career opportunities with our firm, please contact our Human Resources department at
recruiting@smithdebnamlaw.com, or direct your written correspondence to PO Box 26268, Raleigh, NC 27611. All inquiries are held in strict confidence.
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