Overview
Steptoe partner Michael Dockterman is quoted throughout a Law360 article titled “How to Turn Green Associates Into Killer Trial Lawyers.” The article, published August 11, features commentary from established trial lawyers on how to mentor and train young lawyers to be litigators in an age when fewer cases are going to trial.
According to Mr. Dockterman, who recently was named to Law360’s list of Trial Aces and teaches a course in trial advocacy at Duke University School of Law, enrollment in trial courses is down and students are instead favoring more litigation-oriented education – even in the top law schools. "The opportunities just aren't there. I'd tried a bunch of cases by the time I was four or five years out. Now, people are lucky if they've done a bunch of depositions by the time they're four or five years out,” he says.
Mr. Dockterman advocates looking for opportunities to hand the reins to associates more quickly. “I think you make lawyers by getting them up and doing things,” he adds.
The full article can be read at Law360 (subscription required).
