Training

AGG places the highest priority on the training and development of its attorneys. From the outset, associates are encouraged to accept responsibility and become fully involved in various aspects of the firm's practice and administration. A significant part of associate training is 'on-the-job' experience guided by partners and senior level attorneys. We also encourage participation in professional seminars, trade organizations and continuing legal education (CLE) programs.

The firm has recently implemented a formalized attorney development program called AGG Academy. The program’s focus is to provide curriculum that assists new attorneys with their integration into both the firm and the practice of law. Held regularly throughout the year, program topics range from delegation skills to managing a practice to client development. While the topics mainly cater to the needs of newer attorneys, the programs are open to all attorneys within the firm.

All attorneys are encouraged to actively participate in regularly scheduled practice group meetings where discussions on new legal developments and strategies for expanding and improving our services to clients are explored. In addition, each practice group handles its own in-house, practice group-specific training. 
 
Mentoring

First-year associates are assigned mentors within their practice group, a process carried out in connection with the State Bar of Georgia’s Transition Into Law Practice Program (TILPP). The first-year associate mentor is either a partner or senior associate whose role is to ease the new associate’s integration into the firm, his or her practice group and the practice of law. The pair will develop and implement a mentoring plan that will ensure that the new associate gains practical experience relevant to his or her practice throughout his or her first year.  

Each second- through fourth-year associate is paired with a mentor as a part of AGG’s Mentoring Program. This mentor is a partner outside of the associate’s practice group whose role is to help the associate identify and achieve professional goals from a more global perspective and to expose the associate to other practice areas and attorneys in the firm. The mentor helps the associate think critically about his or her career goals and helps the associate strategize best practices for achieving those goals. AGG believes that successful mentoring relationships will not only enhance the career and social aspects of associates’ professional development, but it will also give our more experienced legal practitioners the opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on their own careers.

Associate Evaluations

In addition to day-to-day informal feedback, associates receive bi-annual evaluations each year that incorporate assessments from all attorneys with whom the associate worked.

Associates' Committee

The associates elect an associates' committee, which is currently comprised of four individuals from various practice areas in the firm. This committee meets periodically to address topics of interest and represents all associates to the executive committee concerning any questions or issues. The firm’s managing partner also holds quarterly Associates Meetings (for all associates) to facilitate fluid communication.

Diversity

It is the policy of AGG to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or disability. This obligation applies to recruiting, hiring and promotion of those qualified individuals, as well as to all others facets of employment. Please click here to learn more about the firm’s diversity initiatives.

Partnership Track

Generally, AGG has an 8½-year partnership track. However, associates who fulfill the requirements for partnership at an accelerated rate may become a partner in a shorter time period.

Associates Promoted to Partnership
2009 – 1
2008 – 1
2007 – 6
2006 – 4

Compensation

The base salary for first-year associates is currently $110,000. While billable hours are tracked, first-year associates are not held accountable to a billable hour requirement. Hours-based bonuses are awarded to associates meeting certain billable hour thresholds. In addition, discretionary bonuses may be awarded in recognition of exceptional work performance, client service, business development or pro bono activities. Associates completing judicial clerkships may receive a clerkship bonus, plus one year's credit toward partnership.

Billable Hours

With the exception of first-year associates, the billable hour expectation for all AGG associates is 1900 annually.

Benefits

Our attorneys enjoy a full range of benefits, including medical insurance, short-/long-term disability, life and dependent life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts (FLEX), 401(k), parental/maternity leave, child day-care, Bar Exam review course fees, State Bar dues and CLE.