New Associates Get Oriented

 It turns out the 2013 Winston class of new associates is even more competitive than we expected – during the evening ice breaker event for the firm-wide New Associate Orientation held in Chicago, the six teams wasted no time in getting to know each other in a lively game of "Commonalities." Two teams were tied after the first round, so the action went to a playoff with associates voting to kick some of the competing teams' answers “off the island.” Team One achieved victory over Team Four who was determined to retain their dignity in the face of Team One’s revelation of their commonality. (Don’t ask.) Mixed in with getting to know each other and the firm, was much information and learning – including a great program with legal writing guru Ross Guberman, client service training from in-house counsel and critical conversation training with Harvard negotiation techniques. After three intense days and evenings, the new associates are back in their offices channeling that competitive spirit toward the serious work of being a lawyer at W&S.