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FI&C has one of the most competitive recruiting programs of any firm in the Midwest and regularly considers candidates from over 25 different law schools through on-campus recruiting and résumé collection efforts. Placing a priority on identifying top-flight law students who are high-energy, well-rounded and positive future leaders, the firm enjoys a tremendous mix of diverse lifestyles and racial and ethnic origins.
The firm recruits 2Ls for summer clerkships, as well as 3Ls for associate positions, placing priority on candidates in the top 10% of their class, with law journal or judicial clerkship experience. Because outstanding lawyers often seek to practice in a focused environment such as ours, FI&C also considers lateral candidates on an ad hoc basis, dependent on client needs or expansion of the firm's skill set to meet a developing area of litigation practice.
At a time of continual consolidation among the large national and international law firms, FI&C's recruiting efforts have thrived because we offer a rare opportunity for the young lawyer: the chance to work on prominent, high-profile, cutting-edge cases, competing against, or alongside the nation's leading big-name law firms, but within the flexible framework of a smaller "litigation boutique." In short, our size, our business litigation focus, and our "big-firm" client base makes us a firm of choice for many outstanding young lawyers looking for the best long-term fit.
Professional Development
FI&C attorneys are creative, intellectually curious people and realize that to best meet our clients' ever-evolving litigation challenges, we must continually seek to mature. This reality underscores FI&C's ongoing commitment to professional development for our attorneys and paraprofessionals.
Whether as students, teachers or oftentimes both, FI&C attorneys are invested in self-improvement initiatives through local, state and national continuing education programs, participation and leadership in the local Inn of Court, bar associations, and as ad hoc faculty at the University of Dayton School of Law. We have a well-structured mentoring program for younger attorneys, and an award-winning commitment to pro bono publico work through the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers' Project, and through Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.
In partnership with the Montgomery County Public Defender, FI&C created a unique, award-winning externship opportunity for the firm's newer associates. Because "stand-up" opportunities are increasingly scarce for young lawyers, particularly in the complex litigation marketplace, FI&C loans the Public Defender, on a rotating basis, one or two FI&C associates, who, over the course of several months, represent indigent criminals from arraignment through trial. The program has been an unqualified success -- strengthening our young attorneys, providing a vital community service (at no cost to the taxpayers), and enhancing the firm's bench strength.
The firm's most prominent commitment to professional development is embodied in FI&C University.
FI&C University
Building on regular training sessions and skill set development efforts long the hallmark of the firm, FI&C launched FI&C University as a professional development program that runs from bar passage all the way to consideration for partnership. The multifaceted "university" program is focused around five distinct curricula covering business skills, legal skills, ownership skills and personal/leadership skills; the program also incorporates a professional publication curriculum, assuring that FI&C attorneys are analyzing and writing scholarly work on the leading legal issues of our times. Designed cooperatively by the firm's partners and all levels of associates, FI&C University reflects our commitment to life-long learning and our commitment as a firm to strengthening our strong base of experienced lawyers with exceptional, young talent.
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