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What is the firm’s market focus?
While Godfrey & Kahn focused solely on taxation and estate planning at its inception, we have grown along with our clients and have expanded our areas of expertise to address their general and specialty business needs.
Our goal is to provide a full range of business-oriented legal counseling to a clientele that consists primarily of businesses, their owners and executives, and governmental entities. While we regularly provide services to several of the largest business enterprises around the state and nation, our focus is on the middle market company, typically privately owned or newly public. We also have substantial experience in M&A and entrepreneurial counseling services.
Primary industries served (according to current client demographics) include financial institutions, manufacturers, professional services, retailers and real estate developers.
Our largest office is located in Milwaukee. We also have offices in Madison, Appleton, Green Bay and Waukesha—all conveniently located to serve our many clients throughout the state. The firm also maintains offices in Shanghai, PRC and Washington, DC.
What are my chances to make shareholder?
Associates are hired with the goal and expectation that they will become shareholders in the firm. Associates usually are considered for partnership after 8-1/2 years of practice. Individuals develop their careers at different rates because of many factors (including personal and work-related factors) such as alternative work arrangements, different work experiences and individual development of skill sets, which may result in an individual being considered before or after the 8-1/2 year target.
Our Recruiting Committee makes every effort to recruit attorneys with skill sets and personalities that best fit our firm’s growth plan, entrepreneurial spirit and culture. Once hired, we offer our attorneys resources such as professional development, a formal review process, client and prospective client entertainment options and various other opportunities to hone their client service skills and develop their practice.
Ultimately, it is up to each attorney to use these tools to their advantage. Those who do so most effectively often find themselves on the fast track to partnership.
What kind of training will I receive?
Attorney training is a critical component of our practice as it ultimately benefits our clients. From technical education to client service to business development, the firm offers professional development opportunities that will help you hone your skills and grow your practice.
Besides traditional Continuing Legal Education (CLE) opportunities, our training programs and retreats, which are continually developed, cover orientation, basic skills, and marketing and business development. We also offer a mentoring program for new associates.
Law students find our Summer Associate Program an ideal opportunity to get to know our firm.
How does the firm evaluate associates?
In addition to ongoing informal feedback, you will have a formal annual review. The Associates Committee is responsible for the evaluation of the work performance of associates. After receiving comments from shareholders, shareholder members of the Associates Committee prepare composite review forms for all associates. After a composite review form is prepared by the Associates Committee and approved by the Management Committee, one shareholder member of the Associates Committee and at least one supervising shareholder will meet with the associate to personally communicate the results of the evaluation and to obtain the associate’s views and comments.
Will I have any input in firm decisions?
Yes. All attorneys are encouraged to participate in all aspects of Godfrey & Kahn’s success, including firm administration. Through various committees—like Recruiting, Marketing, Associates, Legal Education, Ethics and Conflicts, Social, Community Involvement and Technology—you will have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to provide input on firm decision making.
Does the firm offer alternative working arrangements?
All lawyers with at least two years of appropriate legal experience (whether at the firm or elsewhere) are eligible to request an alternative work arrangement. The firm makes reasonable efforts to accommodate requests for alternative schedules from lawyers willing to work at least 1,000 billable hours and to maintain regular office hours.
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