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Future Leaders
Our Future Leaders Exchange program provides secondment opportunities for younger lawyers with another Ally member for one to three months.
Leadership:
Acting now to chart the future.
Participants build international connections and engage in career training and professional development while increasing cultural awareness. This facilitates knowledge sharing now and in the future and helps create enduring relationships between Ally member firms.
The program is especially beneficial for members who have mutual clients, are in the same region, or have other common interests or goals.
The length of participation depends on the preferences of the host and sending firms. Generally, seconded lawyers do not engage in billable work for the host firm’s clients. Expenses for housing the secondee are covered by the sending law firm.
Program benefits
- Provides valuable professional development for younger lawyers.
- Facilitates cross-border awareness & understanding.
- Improves business development opportunities for Ally firms.
- Promotes information and knowledge sharing between members.
- Enhances associate attraction & retention.
- Expands participants’ international networks.
- Drives knowledge + awareness about Ally Law through both firms.
Marty O'Hara
Much Law
Chicago
The entire experience was beneficial to both Ms. Chen and Much as each was able to learn from the other during the experience.
Bodo Vinnen
Melchers
Frankfurt
Our colleague's time in London was very enriching for us. He got to know a new working environment and made contacts with Ally Law colleagues which will now continue to be beneficial.
Russel Shear
Edwin Coe
England
Secondments provide a rewarding opportunity for the host firm in absorbing a lawyer qualified in a different jurisdiction, assessing their ability to participate with client matters and determining other useful roles they can play during their secondment.
Shane Coblin
Kornfeld
Vancouver
When there is a seconded lawyer here it is a constant reminder that we are members of Ally Law, and this buzz lasts long after the visiting lawyer has left.
Participation Guidelines
The Future Leaders Exchange Program is intended for participants with at least two years experience as a fully-qualified lawyer. More junior practitioners are less likely to benefit from the networking and professional development opportunities inherent in this program.
Program participants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Fully qualified, registered and admitted to practice law in their own jurisdictions
- At least two years of post-qualification legal experience and at least one year of employment by the sending firm
- Ability to meet immigration requirements and eligibility, and obtain a visa where necessary
- Honest, ethical, enthusiastic and professional conduct
- Willingness to comply with confidentiality requirements
- Adequate language skills to communicate and engage with colleagues and clients while at the host firm.
How are participants selected?
The sending firm selects potential participants based on merit and the existence of a common interest (for example, a mutual client or an interest in a certain region). The host firm reserves the right to request any documentation (e.g., a CV, resumé and references) necessary to assess the merit of the participant, and will have an opportunity to interview any proposed participant prior to agreeing to host them.
What types of work will be assigned to participants?
Seconded lawyers do not undertake client billable work for the host firm.
Typically, secondees continue to work on billable work from the sending firm while participating in nonbillable client activities and firm functions organized by the host firm.
Responsibilities
Host Firm Responsibilities
Sending Firm Responsibilities
Host Firm Responsibilities
- Communicate with the sending firm regarding its requirements and objectives for the program, including:
- Interview the proposed participant prior to commencement to ensure a suitable ‘fit’.
- Assist the participant with any immigration issues, such as providing documents for a Visa application.
- Designate at least one partner of the host firm as a mentor of the participant during the program
- Ensure that the participant is provided with appropriate supervision and support.
- Create professional development opportunities for the secondee, including client meetings, joint presentations and social functions.
- Provide the participant with appropriate technical and secretarial support to enable the participant to carry out work tasks and communicate with the sending firm where necessary.
- Together with the sending firm, ensure that suitable accommodations are obtained for the participant.
Sending Firm Responsibilities
- Communicate with the host firm regarding its requirements and objectives for the program, including:
- Select a suitable participant to further the aims of the program
- Provide advice and support to the participant including in respect of immigration where possible
- Liaise with the host firm where necessary to coordinate the work tasks to be given to the participant
- Together with the host firm, ensure that suitable accommodation is obtained for the participant and that appropriate insurances are in place
- Continue to pay the participant’s wages and provide resources for accommodations and travel expenses.
Interested? Let us know.
Please let us know of your interest in the Future Leaders Exchange Program. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact team@ally-law.com
