At Finnegan, you’ll receive resources, tools, training, and something even more important: independence. We believe resources are one thing. But being able to think for yourself and solve real-world problems on your own is everything else. Not that you’ll be in this alone—far from it. We have a long tradition of on-the-job learning. In fact, we were the first law firm in the nation to hire attorneys specifically to train lawyers in patent prosecution and litigation. We’re also pioneers in the quest for clear legal communications—we’re the only intellectual property law firm to retain a full-time writer-in-residence to work with our lawyers on continual improvement in legal writing. It’s no wonder
The American Lawyer ranked Finnegan as one of the top three firms in the U.S. for "terrific training and guidance and very interesting work."
Litigation Mentor Program Our unique and highly acclaimed Litigation Mentor Program will give you real-world courtroom experience. You’ll handle cases in DC courts with the support and supervision of the firm's full-time litigation mentor, Barbara Butterworth. Participants in the program have found that the intensive exposure to trial advocacy training imparts invaluable trial skills.
In 2008, when the U.S. District Court in Alexandria approved our request, we expanded the program into Virginia. Jonathan Shapiro, a renowned trial lawyer, serves as our firm’s Virginia litigation mentor. The program allows our lawyers to handle pro bono criminal cases in conjunction with the Federal Public Defender's office.
Trial Advocacy College These week-long courses conducted by the University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy provide in-depth training in all phases of trial advocacy for our lawyers. The faculty of both programs is made up of highly experienced trial lawyers from around the country, including several Finnegan lawyers.
Deposition Training The National Institute for Trial Advocacy holds a deposition training course several times a year at our firm. The program prepares you to take or defend a deposition. All lawyers who will work on litigation teams receive this training, typically in their first year at the firm.
Legal Writing Persuasive, precise, compelling writing may be a dying art, but at Finnegan it is alive and well thanks to our writer-in-residence, Ed Good. In fact, Ed’s book,
Mightier than the Sword, is required reading at law schools across the country, and his new publication—
A Grammar Book for You and I…Oops, Me!—was described in 2002 “A good read for word mavens” by
The New York Times’s wordsmith-in-residence, William Safire. Ed will help you hone your legal writing skills right from the start with an intense five-session course. One-on-one training with confidential feedback makes this one of our most popular and indispensable educational programs that will continue to benefit you long after the class is over.
Trademark Seminars Every month lawyers and professional staff from our trademark practice gather for lunch and a discussion of cutting-edge issues affecting diverse fields of interest.
Second Attorney Review No work product—not even routine correspondence—leaves the firm until at least two attorneys have reviewed it for form and content. This is one way we ensure the high quality of every aspect of our work.
The firm also encourages our lawyers to attend outside professional meetings and educational seminars in order to enhance their legal skills. Many play an active role and hold leadership positions in professional organizations and take advantage of speaking and publishing opportunities.