Inspired by the recent Professional Development Consortium conference in San Diego—particularly, discussions about effectively weaving on-demand resources into law firm professional development programs—we’re excited to share Gunderson's success story of integrating WorkBetter into their mentoring program for first-year associates.
Gunderson was an early adopter of WorkBetter, signing onto the WorkBetter Launch program for first-year associates in 2022. Now approaching their third year, Gunderson uses WorkBetter videos to enhance their “Buddy Program” for mentoring and training new associates.
The Buddy Program is a structured six-month mentoring initiative in which each first-year associate is paired with a more experienced junior or mid-level associate. The program is designed to address essential professional skills that are not often taught in law school. According to Nakia Humphrey, Senior Director of Attorney Development, “While law schools have incorporated professional skills topics into their curriculum, it's still largely something associates are expected to learn on the job. The Buddy Program aims to provide structure for associates to learn these important skills—without having to learn them the hard way."
Gunderson incorporates WorkBetter Launch into the Buddy Program by assigning buddy pairings to watch each 3-5 minute video together over several months. After watching each video, the buddy pairs discuss the content together, strengthening the mentoring relationship and promoting essential skills. Kathryn Frederick, Firm-Wide Attorney Development Manager, appreciates that the nature of the videos promotes a more dynamic learning environment. She says, “Integrating short videos into our PD curriculum helps us reach associates who benefit from asynchronous learning, including neurodiverse associates."
Gunderson encourages engagement by crediting associates with "Investment Hours" that count toward billable requirements. As a result, the firm sees a high level of participation in the program, and associates appreciate the firm’s commitment to their growth.
Associates, both first-years and their more senior “buddies,” have responded very positively to the program. Ms. Humphrey notes that "even associates that were initially skeptical have come to appreciate that the videos are a light lift with substantial value, leading to deep discussions on important topics such as communication, professionalism, productivity, and more."
Senior Associate, Julie Mahoney, says “I think the Buddy System is really great. I’ve developed a strong relationship with [my Buddy Mentee], and he’s mentioned how much he appreciates having someone to ask “silly” questions. I also think it’s helped him integrate into the group faster because I’ve given him tips on how to connect with people and I’ve made sure others in the group are reaching out to him. At first I was skeptical of the Buddy System, including the WorkBetter series. However, the videos were well-polished and have inspired great conversation (plus they aren’t as cheesy as I thought!). Lastly, the fact that they’re only 3-5 minutes really keeps the program a light lift, while still being impactful.”
Gunderson's use of WorkBetter videos demonstrates how on-demand learning can enhance structured mentoring, ensuring first-year associates develop critical professional skills and start their careers on a strong note.
By: Kandice Thorn, Founder, WorkBetter for Lawyers
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