Better Together
DWT is unlike most other law firms. We offer a team-oriented culture where collaboration is encouraged and contributions are valued. To help you develop as an entry-level associate, you will receive in-depth training, meaningful assignments, and ongoing support to build your practice.
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For offering incoming associates the best chance of ascending to partnership.
-Above the Law
DWT IS DEVOTED TO HELPING OTHERS WITH OUR PRO BONO WORK.
Learn MoreEntry-Level FAQ
What
documents are needed to complete my application?
We require a cover letter, resume, a copy of the law school
transcript, and a brief writing sample or a deal sheet (depending on practice
area).
Do
all of the documents need to be provided prior to scheduling an interview?
Initially having the cover letter, resume, and law school
transcript is enough at the review stage, but we would require the writing sample
(or deal sheet) prior to scheduling an interview.
What
should I expect of the interview process?
For our associate candidates, our interview process consists of
the following stages:
- Initial Interview: Meet with 1-2 attorneys at a DWT office, if possible; other accommodations will be made if necessary. This initial meeting typically takes an hour.
- Full Round Interviews: Visit a DWT office to meet with 4-6 additional attorneys (a mix of partners and associates) including, when possible, the Practice Group Chair and Partner-In-Charge. These meetings generally take 3-4 hours.
- Additional Interviews: In some cases, when key attorneys are not available during the Full Round, we may ask a candidate to come back for additional interviews to meet those key people.
- Next Steps: If an offer is being considered we collect references and a list of the candidate’s client/matters to start a conflicts check.
What
is the dress code for interviews at DWT?
The dress code for interviews is business professional.
If
a lunch interview is scheduled who do I contact about dietary restrictions or
preferences?
We are happy to accommodate special needs as you may require.
Please talk with your Recruiting Department contact to discuss these requests.
How
soon can I expect to hear feedback after the interviews are completed?
The timing of feedback can vary. The Recruiting Managers will keep
you updated.
How
many references are required and when will they be contacted?
We require 2 to 3 references. One must be a current or direct
supervisor, and the other two can be supervisors who can speak to your work from
previous employers. Once an offer is extended we’ll seek your permission to contact
the supervisor(s) who are from previous employers as soon as we can. Once the offer
is accepted and notice is given we will contact the current employer reference.
What
is the annual billable hours standard at DWT?
1850 billable hours.
Does
DWT have a lock-step or merit-based system of advancement?
Our advancement system is merit-based. Associates are evaluated
annually at year-end.
What
types of benefits does DWT provide?
In addition to health, vision, and dental plans, below is a sample
of our other benefits:
- Bar dues
- Life insurance
- Supplemental life insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Vacation
- Sick leave
- 401(k) Tax deferred savings plan
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and transportation costs
- Transportation subsidy
- Associate wellness reimbursement
- Child and elder care
- Parental leave
Is
pro bono work available at the associate level?
The firm encourages all attorneys and staff to participate in pro
bono projects and to contribute to our tradition as a leader in the communities in
which we live. Up to 144 pro bono hours may be counted toward the automatic bonus
which is achieved by billing 1850 economic hours.
Does DWT have Affinity groups as
part of its Diversity & Inclusion program?
Diversity is a core value at DWT. Our affinity group program is
instrumental in striving towards our goals to not only
create an inclusive environment within DWT, but also to contribute to growing
diversity within the legal profession
as a whole. Our groups help create opportunities for mentorship, skills training,
networking and business development.
Our current affinity groups are:
To learn more about our Diversity Initiatives and Affinity Groups, click here
Our current affinity groups are:
- LGBTQ Attorneys
- Diverse Attorneys
- Women Attorneys
- Senior Attorneys
- Veteran Attorneys
- Flexible Hours Attorneys
To learn more about our Diversity Initiatives and Affinity Groups, click here
What
training and professional development does DWT offer?
DWT offers both informal and formal training and development
including individual coaching, mentoring, and career planning. Our learning
initiatives are relevant, cutting-edge, timely and hands-on. We also have a strong
belief in on-the-job learning. Our targeted and multi-faceted learning curriculum
enhances lawyer development in key competency areas as well as practice-specific
training. Our attorneys also have access to thousands of online continuing legal
education (CLE) programs and a customized portal of eLearning materials.