Experienced lawyers seeking a collaborative environment with hands-on training serving clients, developing business, and growing professionally find it at Akerman. Openings across our platform and practices offer talented lawyers an array of opportunities to work with our renowned practitioners at the top of their profession to serve world-class clients.

With a culture that embraces and promotes the development of talent and skills, Akerman invests in our future leaders. Through formalized, targeted training and mentoring programs, we focus on the progressive development of each associate’s legal and other professional and work-life balancing skills.

Our Commitment to Training and Mentorship

Akerman is committed to the development of its associates as individuals, professionals, and involved members of the community. We believe that this commitment is one factor that enables us to recruit and retain quality associates. Accordingly, training is provided through internal training programs and outside continuing legal education seminars, as well as through guidance from our more experienced attorneys. Associates are afforded an opportunity to build relationships, identify ways to collaborate, and develop new business strategies. We offer associates a number of practice skills training, as well as information on industry and market trends. Associates are also encouraged to participate in community initiatives and pro bono projects that provide an opportunity for professional growth. 

Practice Group Training Curriculum Examples

Corporate

• Partner Pointers, Acquisition Processes, NDAs, and LOIs
• General Practice Tips and Effective Due Diligence
• Basics of PE Funds and M & A Structures
• M&A Documents
• Basics of Debt Financing
• Equity Documents
• Tax Aspects of M&A
• Basics of Securities Law
• Employee Benefits & Management Equity Plans
• Intellectual Property & Aspects of M & A
• Labor & Employment Aspects of M&A
• Environmental & Real Estate Aspects of M&A

Real Estate

• Distressed Commercial Real Estate Assets from A(ssessment) to Z(any, but cautionary tales)
• Introduction To The New 2021 Minimum Detail Standard
• Zoning in Chicago: A Case Study
• The Lingering Effects of COVID on Leasing
• Financing Deal Overview – Good Associate Skills/Expectations/Client management
• Operating Agreements
• Consents/Officer’s Certificates/Search Results
• Closing/Signature Pages/Post-Closing Mechanics
• Ancillary Loan Documents #1 – Overview/Stock Comments/Stock Responses
• Ancillary Loan Documents #2 – Cash Management/DACAs
• Management Agreements/Zoning/Zoning Reports
• Hotel Loans/Comfort Letters
• Condo/Lease/Parking/Section 8/LIHTC/Office Park/TICs/Other Deal Specific Issues
• Rate Caps & Confirmations/LIBOR Transition
• Leasehold Mortgages/Leased Fee Mortgages
• Construction Loans
• Overview of Subordinate/Syndicated Financing (Mezz, B-Notes, Participations, Pref Equity, AR Financing, Member Notes)
• Loan Modifications/HUD Financing/GNMA Issuance

Litigation

• Mock Deposition Training Program
• Trial Advocacy Program
• E-Discovery
• Evidentiary Hearings
• Mediations
• Business Pitches 

Labor and Employment 

• L&E Associate Best Practices
• ADA Title III–Public Accommodations Update
• NLRB Practice, C Cases, and R Cases
• The Anatomy of an Employment Agreement
• To Be on the Safe Side
• Restrictive Covenants
• Key Strategies for Drafting Position Statements for and Conciliating with the EEOC (January 2022)
• Training the Trainer: Sexual Harassment Training
• E-Discovery 
• Business Development