Move From Lockstep to Levels Part of Ongoing Associate Development Plan

HOUSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The next phase of a talent management program -- moving from a lockstep to levels format to track associate progress at the firm -- was announced today by Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith. This new format is the latest enhancement of a multi-year plan to better manage associate development at all experience levels.  

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"Implementing this program will allow us to remain competitive in our efforts to recruit and retain the best and brightest lawyers," Smith said.  "Importantly, it will help us foster an environment that emphasize the attributes we believe are essential to our firm's culture."

The talent management program began with the firm's 2008 release of its Associate Attributes Model, which defines expectations and core competencies for three levels of associate development on the path to partnership (junior, mid and senior).  The phase of the plan announced today aligns associate compensation and merit-based bonus opportunities with the levels defined in the Attributes Model.

"This levels initiative is responsive to requests from our clients for a clear demonstration that lawyers' experience and capabilities correlate to their billing rates," said Steve Leifer, a partner at the firm and chair of its Professional Development Committee. "The change also serves our associate development goals by ensuring that associates build the requisite skills and allowing us to be more consistent in rewarding performance."

The compensation aspects of the program will be effective August 1, 2010. Base annual salary for entry-level lawyers will remain at $160,000.

About Baker Botts L.L.P.

Baker Botts L.L.P., dating from 1840, is a leading international law firm with offices in Abu Dhabi, Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Moscow, New York, Palo Alto, Riyadh and Washington. With approximately 750 lawyers, Baker Botts provides a full range of legal services to international, national and regional clients. For more information, please visit www.bakerbotts.com.

SOURCE Baker Botts L.L.P.

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