Baker & Hostetler LLP

New York associate Francesca Harker, center, with BethHowe, left and Christy Monier, right, at the 2009 AssociateAcademy.The Associate Academy was perfectly organized to allowassociates to interact and develop friendships that willbenefit us for years to come.While the days were full, there was just the right mix of workand fun to keep the program flowing and interesting. Ourfirst event was a wine tasting which was both informativeand a perfect way for everyone to interact and get to knowone another.The most valuable aspect, for me, was a communicationworkshop. In law school, we all learned to write perfectlyorganized memos—laying out our key points upfront,recapping the issue to be addressed, and then logicallyorganizing the memo so it is easy for the reader. After Istarted working I realized that most partners prefer thatyou simply tell them what your research has revealed ratherthan drafting a memo.In the short term, I will benefit by having more confidence inmy work product and my position in the Firm. In the future,I will benefit by having colleagues in practice areas throughoutthe Firm that I feel comfortable contacting when I needassistance. In addition, I gained valuable skills regardingnegotiation strategy and communication with both clientsand partners.Francesca M. HarkerNew York associateUniversity of Michigan