K&L Gates Sets “Ideas in Motion” with 2008 Associates’ Symposium
April 9, 2008
Washington, D.C. —More than 70 Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP (K&L Gates) associates from three continents gathered recently in Washington, D.C., for the firm’s Associates’ Symposium. With the theme of “Ideas in Motion,” the Symposium joined mid- and senior-level associates with senior firm management in dialogue that addressed important topics including associate integration and development, diversity, technology and resources, career progression, and compensation and benefits.
Peter J. Kalis, K&L Gates’ Chairman and Global Managing Partner, said: “For years, we have turned to our Associates’ Symposium to refresh this firm’s vision and strengthen its fabric. And in 2008 the Symposium once again met these lofty expectations.”
Following the Symposium, several associates commented on the benefits of the meeting to both current and future associates, including the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers from across the country and around the world, engage in dialogues with the firm’s senior management, and learn more about the firm.
Thomas Sibert, a London associate in the firm’s corporate practice, said: “The Associates’ Symposium was an invaluable opportunity for K&L Gates associates to meet and discuss the issues that matter to them most, from career progression to diversity to greater integration throughout the global firm. As with any forum in which issues such as these are discussed, the key to the Symposium’s effectiveness was the access given to those that can affect change; the attendance of Peter Kalis and other members of the firm’s Management Committee meant that we were able to make significant progress on a number of key issues.”
“The Symposium was a rewarding and useful opportunity to gather associates from around the world to focus and share their best practices and interests,” said Boston associate Phi Lan Tinsley, who practices in the firm’s intellectual property group. “How else could we all hear from colleagues in London about a particular program that works there, understand why, and discuss how we can apply the same in Boston?”
Taipei associate Cheryl Hsieh said: “For me, the best part of the Symposium was the group and plenary discussion regarding associate development. Through this session, we received a better understanding of the resources available to us and how they may be further utilized in each of our offices.” Hsieh focuses in the corporate and transactional area.
Contacts:
Susan V. Fried, +1.617.261.3170,
susan.fried@klgates.com
K&L Gates comprises more than 1,500 lawyers in 24 offices located in North America, Europe and Asia, and represents capital markets participants, entrepreneurs, growth and middle market companies, leading FORTUNE 100 and FTSE 100 global corporations and public sector entities.