Tony Froio (courtesy photo)
Many lawyers hope to be able to someday handle a trial from start to finish, but not many are able to do so because of the way their firms are structured. How, then, can a would-be trial attorney gain the skills that are needed to make their dreams come true?
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Anthony Froio, managing partner of Am Law 200 firm Robins Kaplan, to get his thoughts on the matter. Here is a (lightly edited and condensed) write-up of our lively conversation on what attorneys may experience when working at a trial-focused Biglaw firm.
Staci Zaretsky (SZ): After spending three decades at Robins Kaplan, I’d love you to tell me about some of the benefits of working at a true trial firm like the one you now lead.
Tony Froio (TF): There are numerous advantages to working at a trial-focused firm. Firstly, our partnership is deeply committed to trial excellence, investing significant time and resources in training lawyers at all levels to ensure proficiency in every phase of trial proceedings. Through our dedication to alternative fee arrangements, we provide clients with access to trial opportunities that may otherwise be unattainable. We prioritize assembling diverse and dynamic trial teams, ensuring that the best team is matched with each client and case to deliver optimal results. Furthermore, we empower young lawyers by offering them opportunities to contribute meaningfully to cases, including active involvement in trial proceedings. Our firm boasts one of the most comprehensive trial skills training programs available, allowing our lawyers to refine their skills and apply them effectively in real-world cases. In addition, our firm’s Minneapolis office houses a dedicated courtroom, providing our attorneys with the invaluable opportunity to practice trial proceedings in a real courtroom environment.
SZ: Many Biglaw associates find it difficult to gain experience handling matters from start to finish early on in their careers. How does your firm differ in this regard?
TF: Compared to many Biglaw firms where associates may struggle to gain experience handling matters from start to finish, we take a proactive approach to staffing our cases with an eye toward the actual trial. We carefully balance expertise, diversity, and skill sets when assigning teams to cases, ensuring every member has a meaningful role to play. Our partners are committed to not only staffing cases appropriately, but also to keeping the entire team engaged throughout the case’s development. This commitment serves both our clients’ interests and our goal of providing young lawyers with opportunities to play key roles in the full spectrum of case management. Of course, we prioritize client and case budgets, recognizing their critical importance in this process. By staffing with the whole case in mind, we offer associates unparalleled opportunities to gain hands-on experience and contribute to matters from inception to resolution.
SZ: Mentorship is incredibly important for young lawyers, but some are struggling to make connections within their firms. As a mentorship maven, how can partners best guide Biglaw’s future rainmakers?
TF: Partners can best guide future rainmakers by actively involving young lawyers in cases from start to finish, allowing them to gain firsthand experience in all aspects of case management. Partners should introduce young lawyers to clients as key team members, providing them with lead roles on significant assignments with clients’ approval. By offering leadership roles on assignments such as motion hearings, depositions, and other meaningful casework, partners can empower young lawyers to take ownership of their professional development. It’s crucial to make them integral and valuable members of the team. Additionally, partners should prioritize including young lawyers in pitch opportunities and industry group presentations, which provide tangible experiences that foster their growth as future leaders in the firm and encourage and reward the development of their own business plans.
On behalf of everyone here at Above the Law, we’d like to thank Tony Froio for taking the time to help answer some pressing career questions for prospective trial attorneys.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
