Each fall the firm conducts an intensive four-day training program known as "Hinshaw U."  This training program focuses on attorneys with less than three years of experience. The program focuses on both litigation and transactional associates. From coast to coast, we bring together each new attorney to our Chicago office to participate in this program. Beyond the practice-oriented training and orientation that is provided, Hinshaw U provides programs that focus on the day-to-day skills needed to be a successful attorney. It also provides the opportunity for the participants to bond with one another and to get to know people from different offices, which supports our goal of seamless legal services throughout the country in a variety of offices and practice areas.

The program has three primary goals: (1) to eliminate geographic boundaries and inspire our young attorneys to work together; (2) to reinforce the firm's core values of professional responsibility and client service; and (3) to provide both hands-on training and candid advice on how to successfully navigate a large law firm.

Although the Hinshaw U curriculum varies somewhat from year-to-year in response to participant feedback, it always begins with "Recess at Work," a half-day of industry specific role play and interactive training workshops. This program breaks the ice and the self-consciousness the participants may feel and contributes to them exhibiting more confidence amongst their peers. From that point forward, the participants actively participate in a series of exercises and receive instruction on topics ranging from firm Goals and Objectives to Business Development and Client Service. Some of the specific programs include ethics, producing quality work, time sheets and billing, a deposition workshop, written discovery, legal writing, and business transactions.