A generation or so ago, it was the job of a partner to show associates the ropes. But as the bottom line began to overwhelm the many other factors that drive our profession, partners in many firms became too busy trying to generate hours and revenue to work with young lawyers. When clients complain that associates are learning on the client's dollar, they're often right.

TEW partners forge and foster mentoring relationships with our associates, and our partners are judged by those efforts. Partners are expected to introduce associates into client relationships with appropriate training and guidance, with the goal of providing continuity to our service and greater value to our clients.

In a message to the firm this year, Bob Tucker, the firm's managing partner, had this to say about mentoring:

"Mentoring requires a selfless approach to a relationship in which both the mentor and the one being mentored are willing to set aside their short term individual self interest to advance a more important goal -- the transfer of knowledge, experience, judgment and perspective. You don't learn those attributes from books. You only learn them from people who are willing to take the time, and exhibit the patience, to set aside their own agendas to mentor someone who wants to be mentored. Successful mentoring creates an appreciation that we are all in this together, committed to the hard work of building an institution in which each person is dedicated to, and appreciated for, their contribution to our firm."

We will mentor and train our attorneys. That is our job, not yours. Another "difference" that will benefit our clients.