Building a successful practice takes time, effort, and, most importantly, skill. Technical legal skills are at the core of the legal profession; however, many other skills, including providing excellent client service, having an understanding of business issues, and marketing your practice, are essential.
Fredrikson University is a professional development program designed to provide our attorneys with the tools they need to develop and grow successful practices. Four “colleges” make up the University:
Corporate/Transactional
Fredrikson University's Corporate/Transactional courses are designed to familiarize attorneys with the many areas of law commonly associated with business transactions. Having this exposure helps them become well-rounded business lawyers and advisors. The courses, which are scheduled monthly, cover a variety of topics including entity selection, confidentiality/nondisclosure agreements, purchase and sale of businesses, and the essentials of securities, tax, and intellectual property issues.
Litigation
Fredrikson University's Litigation courses take place monthly, and the level of training varies from courses that benefit all levels of litigators to courses specifically geared towards associate litigators. The programs often draw on the expertise of outside resources, such as judges, expert witnesses, and clients. They cover a wide range of topics including discovery strategy, settlement agreements, subpoenas, evidence/objections, and mediation advocacy. The courses are not just informational; shareholders frequently demonstrate various skills, and associates participate in skills training exercises ranging from practice arguments to day-long mock trials.
Business Development
The Business Development courses of Fredrikson University supplement attorneys' technical expertise with the skills needed to build a successful practice. Courses are taught by Fredrikson & Byron attorneys and staff, as well as seasoned outside experts. To provide attorneys with an inside perspective on clients' expectations, we also periodically invite clients to take part in panel discussions. Practice Development courses range from “Mastering the Art of Networking” and “Strengthening Your Presentation Skills” to “Responding to Calls from the Media” and “Polishing your Professional Image.”
General Firm
These training courses are typically geared towards support staff and cover a range of topics including communication skills, moving from secretary to assistant, and business writing.