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I’ve noticed on Chambers bands they sometimes list a few associates as “Associates to Watch” under any given practice. Any idea how these associates get this recognition? Seems wildly premature but maybe they really are star associates?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 15, 2022 10:27 pm

I’ve noticed on Chambers bands they sometimes list a few associates as “Associates to Watch” under any given practice. Any idea how these associates get this recognition? Seems wildly premature but maybe they really are star associates?

Chambers explanation seems to be, "senior associates who are recognised for their work in the background of major deals" (see https://chambers.com/info/the-rankings-explained).

This seems like a pretty silly ranking to me, unless there are factors they are looking at other than being a senior associate who happens to have been on a number of major deals.

Interesting, I hadn’t seen these explanations before so thanks for sharing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen (or at least noticed) the Star Associate designation which seems to be less common.

My understanding is that law firms must submit an application on behalf of the associate, with references, etc. That means there will be a lot of false negatives, since many won't bother. But, if your firm is submitting an application, and they pick you, then Chambers picks your application above others, it means at least something.

Market paying firms should do a law student draft, complete with pre-draft combines, prospect watch highlight segments featuring Mel Kiper Jr., and tanking by middling firms to land top picks.

12YrsAnAssociate wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 16, 2022 2:54 pm

Market paying firms should do a law student draft, complete with pre-draft combines, prospect watch highlight segments featuring Mel Kiper Jr., and tanking by middling firms to land top picks.

lol

12YrsAnAssociate wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 16, 2022 2:54 pm

Market paying firms should do a law student draft, complete with pre-draft combines, prospect watch highlight segments featuring Mel Kiper Jr., and tanking by middling firms to land top picks.

Combines can include WPM rankings and draftees can put together a highlight reel of cold calls.

For smaller firms and/or overseas offices of large firms, sometimes they just list every associate in the office, so take with a grain of salt… firm submits all the associates’ names to make the practice group seem more substantial.
Means nothing.