Kate Ross

I chose Patterson Belknap because of its focus on litigation—including trial work, a rarity these days—as well as the firm’s commitment to pro bono and attorney ethics.  Having completed a two-year federal clerkship, I also wanted to work in an environment where intellectual curiosity is not only valued, but defines team dynamics and the approach to solving any given problem.  Finally, I was eager to take ownership of my development and felt that Patterson Belknap’s lean staffing and dedication to associate learning would serve me particularly well as I take on more responsibility at this stage of my career.

My first assignment writing a pro bono Supreme Court amicus brief was an important moment in my introduction to the firm and in my career overall.  My team had just a few weeks to research and draft the brief, which concerned the extent to which a deaf student had to exhaust his claims for damages under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  My team worked together tirelessly and despite the time crunch, we were very proud of the finished product.  After we filed the brief, we attended the oral argument in person and watched the Justices debate the very same arguments we had made in our brief.  It was gratifying to contribute to such an important cause, and to learn from the excellent advocacy we observed from both sides during the hearing.

In my short time at Patterson Belknap, I have already benefited from formal management training for mid-level associates, as well as one-on-one informal training.  After submitting a draft brief to a partner, for example, I asked if he had any feedback on my writing as I transitioned back to “advocacy” writing after clerking.  The partner enthusiastically agreed, and we spent almost an hour discussing small changes I could make to strengthen the tone of my writing in certain scenarios.  I’m grateful for the effort and time he spent with me, and I’m excited to implement this feedback when I draft my next brief.

Although each case is different, I’m pleased with my level of interaction with clients and opposing counsel.  I am the only associate on two of my cases, and I get plenty of opportunities to interact with those clients and opposing counsel.  The partners I work with strike a healthy balance of giving me leeway to take ownership of these cases in this way, but are always available if I have questions or want to talk strategy.  I’m excited to continue developing my negotiation and case management skills as I become more comfortable in this arena.