Benefits & Compensation
Our first-year associates have a starting salary competitive with the top Iowa law firms. The firm also provides the following benefits package:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Matching and profit sharing contributions to 401(k) Plan
- Cafeteria Plan offering opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars for health, dependent care and adoption expenses
- Parental Leave
- Technology Allowance
Partner Track
Consideration for partnership starts at five and a half years. Our goal is to hire associates who become partners who, through their work and career longevity, continue the reputation of providing exceptional value to our clients. It is common for associates who start at Lane & Waterman to complete their careers here 35 years later.
Hours
The billable hour requirement for first and second year associates is 1,800 and 1900 for third years and beyond.
Work
Hands-on experience early in your career at Lane & Waterman is a cornerstone of the associate experience. We offer our associates work and experience in almost every area of the law. Our approach to associate development begins with the idea that exposing associates to a variety of work assignments helps them determine their areas of interest and practice focus. Initial assignments include research and writing projects, drafting briefs, client communication and conferences, negotiations, court appearances, discovery and depositions, and real estate and transactional closings. Our associates who want trial experience are exposed to the courtroom at an early point in their careers.
“I like the variety that the corporate practice offers. I get to work on issues ranging from business formation, financing, contract drafting and review, employment, intellectual property, government regulation and compliance, real estate, mergers and acquisitions and the list goes on.” – Brett Marshall, Associate
Training
The firm provides 100 hours of creditable time for training. All new associates learn various practice areas through working closely with partners, allowing them to decide their focus area as they develop their skills. Associates are also trained through firm meetings, orientation sessions, and attendance at local and state CLEs. This year, we added a new, unique component of training to develop business development skills for associates. Quarterly “lunch and learn” meetings provide opportunities to learn and discuss business development activities. Associates are also coached one-on-one on business development planning.
Pro Bono
We encourage our associates to take on pro bono work. In 2015, the firm provided over 300 hours of pro bono work to H.E.L.P. Legal Aid and Prairie State Legal Services.