Something about the structure of the firm.

Mr Nichols: Well, the firm is headed by the two senior partners,

Mr Robertson and Mr Michaels. They founded the

partnership 30 years ago. They're still quite active,

Especially with the older clients, but the day-to-day affairs

And the finances of the firm are managed by the full

partners, that's Ms Graham and myself. We also oversee the

Two departments. But a salaried partner is in charge of each

Of them.

Linus: I see. And how are the departments structured?

Mr Nichols: Well, in the Real Property Department, there are

three associates who report to the partner, and they're

Assisted by two paralegals. In the Debtor-Creditor

Department, there are two associates and two paralegals.

There's also one secretary for each department who

Basically assists the partner who heads the department, but

Who does on occasion do work for the associates as well,

since they're responsible for all the clerical work that needs

To be done. Of course, there are always summer associates

Or clerks working at the firm, on average four of them, not

Just during the summer, but also during the term breaks.

Right. I guess that's all there is to say about the structure.

How does that sound to you?

Linus: Very interesting. Actually,the size sounds ideal - not

Quite as small as the firm I worked for in Cambridge, where

I did my summer clerkships, but not too big, either. And

Nowhere nearly as large as the European Commission

where I worked last!

Listening 4

1 I'm a newly qualified lawyer and I've just landed a job as an

Associate at a mid-size law firm. The firm offers a wide

Range of commercial law services. Our lawyers provide

Advice on many different legal areas, including banking law,

Corporate law and corporate tax, employment law,

Commercial litigation, property law, to name a few. In the

next months, I'll be rotating through some of the

Departments to get an idea about the different practice

areas. At present, I'm working in commercial litigation and

Am enjoying it. My duties include a good deal of client

Liaison, lots of research and some writing of briefs and

letters. Um, while I'm at this firm, I intend to specialise in

An area of the law that involves a lot of trial work, because I

think I'd really like to be a litigator.

2 I'm a sole practitioner in the area of employment and

Labour law in a small city. Some of the legal issues I

Commonly deal with are wrongful termination, sexual

Harassment, and discrimination on the basis of gender, age,

Religion, disability, national origin or race. I also handle wage

And overtime disputes, employment contracts, public-sector

employee issues, and disability and workers' compensation

Issues. I counsel clients about their rights and options. I

Also provide advocacy for them, including representation in

Mediations, arbitrations and litigation. My clients are

Primarily individuals. They usually need advice in handling

Personnel matters and resolving disputes. Two paralegals

Assist me in my work at my office.

As an attorney, I protect the innovations and inventions of

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1251