Associate Accelerator Program

CONTEXT

Associates are the future of every law firm–whether they become partners, or go in-house to corporate law departments–and thus swiftly become potential clients of the firm.

Yet often, associates do not receive the careful and calibrated development that will enable them to become their best on whichever track they advance. In particular, they need development support in two areas:

EQ and the ‘soft’ skills required to excel as high-performance professionals
Pragmatic understanding and internalization of what drives a business, and how to be a business partner

Based on these insights from law firm partners, Fortune 500 GCs, and an array of CEOs and C-suite executives, The Vanguard Network and Gravitas Search have created The Associate Accelerator Program.

Associate Accelerator is crafted to deliver highly actionable insights and practices that will measurably accelerate the success of your associates, while significantly enhancing the retention and attraction of top talent in today’s exceptionally challenging environment.

The Associate Accelerator curriculum is devised and led primarily by business leaders, including GCs, who know and convey the real-world expectations for associates as they advance–whether they become law firm partners or members of a law department.

The curriculum is built around core components (below). Additional optional modules can be considered. The program is designed as a face-to-face experience. Virtual sessions can be integrated, if required.

PARTICIPANTS

Associates at various levels, as determined by the firm.

FACULTY

Drawn from alumni in-house counsel, GCs, CEOs, C-Suite executives, search experts, in-house coaches, and career development professionals.

Selected examples below are of potential faculty. These are examples of the more than 300 top executives in the Vanguard/Gravitas networks who can bring exceptional real-world experience to the program. Faculty subject to confirmation for a specific program.

ANN KAPPLER

Executive VP & General Counsel, Prudential

TOM SABATINO

Former Chief Legal Officer, Rite Aid; Chair of The Vanguard GC Network

ALFREDA BRADLEY-COAR

General Counsel, Obama Foundation

BRANDON SMITH

General Counsel, CHS Inc.

CHRISTIAN DESROSIERS

CEO, Visceral AI

CRAIG TOOMAN

CEO, Silence Therapeutics

GINA BEREDO

EVP, General Counsel & Secretary at Owens Corning

DON HUNT

General Counsel, The Hartford

HEATHER FRENCH

General Counsel, Global Healthcare Exchange

RAM CHARAN

Strategy Advisor

HEATHER WHITE

General Counsel, Genpact

ALI BEHBAHANI

Partner, New Enterprise Associates

PATRICIA ASTORGA

Chief Legal Officer, Mintz Group

ANDREW HALL

CEO, Consano

DAVID ROCK

CEO, Neuroleadership Institute

CORE CURRICULUM

What do in-house law department teams actually do? If you are outside counsel, what do you need to know, and how should you operate to contribute best to your clients? (Three, 90-minute modules)
What is the role of the GC? What do they expect from in-house counsel, and from outside law firms? What does ‘business partner’ mean and look like? (Two, 90-minute modules)
What are the critical EQ factors for success in-house, or as outside counsel? What is the importance and relevance of self-awareness? Of self-management, social awareness, and relationship management? How do you apply them? (Two, 90-minute modules)
What is situational leadership? How do you work effectively in teams? What does it mean to lead through influence, and why is that critical to your success? (Two, 90-minute modules)
How do different sectors and business models shape the role of in-house counsel? How do they affect the role of firms and senior partners? (Two, 90-minute modules)
What got you here won’t get you there. The hard and soft success factors in transitioning into an in-house position–or into a successful partner role. (Two, 90-minute modules)
What are the potential success pathways in a corporate role? What are the success pathways with client relationships, for a partner? (Two, 90-minute modules)
OPTIONAL FOR ASSOCIATES ON A PARTNER PATH: What drives the business success of a law firm? Understanding the basics of law firm talent management, processes, business principles and relationships with clients, and financial management.

Following each module, participants engage in a 60 to 90-minute, self-directed peer development session (face-to-face or virtual) that builds on the module's topic.

Over my 35 years as a partner at a top law firm and then a general counsel at three large companies, I was struck by how unprepared many law firm associates are to function as leaders and business partners
—whether they were on a partner track at their law firm or moving in-house.

The Accelerator program responds to this challenge. Designed and led by GCs, senior counsel, corporate executives, and law firm senior partners, it focuses on critical EQ factors and business insights, from self-awareness to becoming a trusted advisor.

Whatever a law firm's size and focus, this program can significantly enhance the performance of its associates by focusing on what companies, their executives, their GCs, and their senior counsel value most in the attorney-client relationship."

DOUG BARNARD

Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

CF Industries

PROGRAM DESIGN

The program design is based on The Vanguard Network’s proven approach with top leaders across sectors, including GCs.

For each module, cohorts of up to 20 participants are seated at tables of 4-5 individuals. Faculty members lead highly interactive conversations across the room, with frequent table-top dialogues, simulations, and case studies. There is no podium, no PowerPoint, and no presentations.

The peer-to-peer driven approach maximizes engagement and retention, while also developing networks among the participants.

The 60 to 90-minute self-directed peer development sessions following each module further internalize the content of the module and develop leadership skills among the participants.

Key outcomes are accelerated readiness for future career developments, greatly enhanced leadership capabilities, and appropriate confidence about taking on new challenges.

The program also builds and reinforces positive attitudes about the firm and its contribution to the success and well-being of its associates.

All the above directly and indirectly support the retention and attraction of top talent.

The timing and cadence of the program would be customized to your firm. For example, the curriculum could be delivered across several months, or several quarters. One or multiple cohorts can be accommodated; a single cohort would consist of up to 20 participants. Additional cohorts can be created running simultaneously or sequentially to involve as many associates as desired.

INVESTMENT

Your firm's fee structure will be a one-time foundation charge plus a sliding fee for up to 20 participants in a cohort. Additional cohorts can be created on the same basis. Expenses will be invoiced additionally.

The foundation charge covers program preparation. The fee covers the execution of the program.

The foundational charge and program fee will vary based on the scale and format of the program (e.g., is it 100% face-to-face, or virtual in part?)

WHY VANGUARD & GRAVITAS SEARCH?

Deep insight and experience with GCs and Senior Counsel across the Fortune 500
Strong relationships with law firms, search consultants, CEOs, C-suite executives, and leadership experts, who advise on the program and serve as faculty
Vanguard’s highly regarded and pressure-tested approaches to impactful leadership conversations and networks
Gravitas’ significant experience identifying and helping to develop top talent in the broad law ecosystem

VANGUARD & GRAVITAS TEAM

HELENE ASHENBERG

Founder and President Gravitas Search Partners

KEN BANTA

Founder and CEO

The Vanguard Network