"Our professional development program is second to none. As the profession evolves, our program will evolve. We intend to lead the way."

Greg McCashin National Director for Professional Excellence

Our training strategy at Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) is three-dimensional:

• substantive knowledge
• practice skills
• client skills

The substantive knowledge base is our comprehensive program of continuing legal education.

Practice skills training means training our professionals so that they are equipped with the best skills necessary to serve our clients.

Client skills training facilitates quality and sustainability in the client-lawyer relationship.

We believe that all three dimensions-substantive knowledge, practice skills, and client skills-are necessary to accelerate the development of a well-rounded lawyer.

To implement our training, we have recruited Greg McCashin, who is an experienced practitioner who has been a permanent faculty member of the LSUC's Bar Admission Course. Greg is fully bilingual.

At BLG, training is an important part of our positioning in the legal market. Some of our professionals may explore alternative careers at some stages in their lives. As BLG alumni, they will be able to recommend BLG as the best possible preparation for their legal careers.

The BLG 3-Dimensional Curriculum

Substantive Knowledge	Practice Skills	Client Skills
Continuing Legal Education How-to Basics Precedents Opinions Specialized Expertise Practice Group Meetings New Legislation New Trends Learning Your Client's Business	Conflicts and Ethics Research Time Management Advocacy Career Planning Coaching Law Firm Economics Law Firm Leadership	Client Service Billing Building Relationships Interviewing Public Speaking & Networking Marketing Selling

These courses are offered throughout the year. Also in place is a series of intensive programs that facilitate the path to partnership.

BLG 101 - The orientation program at BLG is customized for students, new associates, and lateral hires. This intensive orientation program covers everything that our professionals will need to know to hit the ground running. In addition to offering substantive knowledge, practice skills, and client skills, BLG 101 structures opportunities to help our professionals to get to know colleagues and support professionals at the firm.

BLG 301 - All associates in third year participate in a three-day program that focuses on the enhancing practice skills in an intensive training program. Associates are divided into broad practice streams: Litigation and Transactions. The content of the program is interactive training based on fact scenarios, role-playing, and practice opportunities.

BLG 501 - Senior associates from all of the firm's offices will be brought together for a three-day intensive program that focuses on the transition to partnership. Client, practice development and leadership skills will be developed so that our senior associates are equipped with the skills that are required to become partners at BLG.

Teachers Wanted
Many of the internal programs offered at BLG are taught by members of the firm. While it is efficient and effective to continuously share our expertise across the firm, we believe that the best way to learn is to teach. We want to recruit students and associates who are interested in becoming internal teachers and mentors as they gain experience and develop specialized expertise. We also bring in outside experts, consultants, alumni, and clients to help deliver our programs. Finally, we encourage members of the firm to take advantage of external CLE programs.