Associate Attorney Performance Review Form

Associate Attorney Performance Review Form

PRACTITIONER'S GUIDANCE — DOCUMENTATION BEST PRACTICES:
- Performance reviews must be specific, factual, and based on observable behavior — avoid vague characterizations
- All ratings must be supported by documented examples — reviewers should maintain contemporaneous notes throughout the year
- Reviews must be non-discriminatory — avoid any language that could be perceived as relating to protected characteristics (race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, pregnancy, etc.)
- Negative reviews must be communicated clearly — courts have held that sudden terminations following positive reviews undermine adverse employment action defenses
- Under ABA Model Rule 5.1, supervising lawyers have professional responsibility obligations to ensure supervised lawyers' competence
- This form may be discoverable in wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment litigation — draft accordingly

Review Information

Associate Name: [________________________________]
Bar Number(s): [________________________________]
Practice Group: [________________________________]
Office Location: [________________________________]
Class Year: [____] (Year graduated law school: [____])
Date Joined Firm: [__/__/____]
Review Period: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]
Review Type: ☐ Annual Review ☐ Mid-Year Review ☐ Probationary Review ☐ Special Review

Primary Reviewer(s):

360-Degree Input Solicited From:
☐ Partners in practice group ☐ Partners in other groups ☐ Of Counsel ☐ Paralegals and legal assistants ☐ Clients (formal feedback) ☐ Peers (same-year associates)

Section 1 — Billable Hours Performance

1A. Hours Metrics

1B. BigLaw Billable Hour Benchmarks (2025)

1C. Hours Commentary

Reviewer's assessment of the associate's billable hours performance, including any context (parental leave, medical leave, industry-wide slowdown in practice area):

[________________________________]

Section 2 — Legal Skills and Work Quality

Rate each skill on a 1-5 scale using the following descriptors:

2A. Legal Research and Analysis

2B. Written Communication

2C. Oral Communication and Advocacy

2D. Matter/Project Management

2E. Client Service

Section 3 — Professional Development

3A. CLE Compliance

3B. Professional Development Activities

3C. Progress Against Prior Period Goals

Section 4 — Business Development and Firm Contributions

Section 5 — Pro Bono Contributions

Pro bono matter description: [________________________________]

Section 6 — Teamwork, Collegiality, and Professionalism

Section 7 — Strengths and Significant Accomplishments

(Specific matters, transactions, outcomes, client recognitions, and achievements this review period)

[________________________________]

Section 8 — Areas for Improvement and Development Plan

Section 9 — Goals for Next Review Period

Section 10 — Overall Rating and Partnership Track

10A. Overall Rating

Narrative Overall Rating:
☐ Exceptional (4.5–5.0) — Top performer; well ahead of class-year peers; exceptional partnership track
☐ Exceeds Expectations (3.5–4.4) — Strong performer; solid partnership track
☐ Meets Expectations (2.5–3.4) — Satisfactory; on track for class year; continued development needed
☐ Needs Improvement (1.5–2.4) — Below expectations; performance improvement plan (PIP) recommended
☐ Unsatisfactory (1.0–1.4) — Serious concerns; partnership consideration not recommended at this time; counsel regarding firm fit

10B. Partnership Track Assessment

Partnership Track Narrative:
[________________________________]

10C. Compensation Recommendation

☐ Compensation Adjustment: Recommend salary increase of [____]% / $[________________________________] effective [__/__/____]
☐ Bonus Recommendation: Recommend discretionary bonus of $[________________________________]
☐ No Change Recommended
☐ Reduction or PIP: See attached Performance Improvement Plan

Section 11 — Signatures and Acknowledgments

PRIMARY REVIEWER:
Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

ADDITIONAL REVIEWER (if applicable):
Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

PRACTICE GROUP LEADER APPROVAL:
Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

ASSOCIATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this performance evaluation. My signature does not indicate agreement with the contents, only that I have reviewed it.

Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]
☐ Associate has provided written response (attached)
☐ Associate declines to provide written response

HR/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Signature: [________________________________]
Printed Name: [________________________________]
Date: [__/__/____]

Sources: ABA Model Rules 1.1, 5.1, 5.2; NALP Associate Development Framework (2024); NALP 2025 Associate Salary Survey; Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e; ADEA, 29 U.S.C. § 621; ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12101; applicable state CLE requirements.