Associates

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

In Their Own Words

Our colleagues, who took the next step in developing their careers by moving to Akerman, outline some key reasons their searches led them to our firm.