Training - AGG places the highest priority on the training and development of new 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 and continuing legal education classes.  In addition, new associates will join practice groups aligned with their interests.  

The firm has recently implemented a formalized attorney development program called AGG Academy. The focus of AGG Academy 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 the regular meetings of the practice group 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. Smaller practice groups find that ‘on-the-job’ training best meets their needs, while larger practice groups find it best to enhance informal training with regular, formal training sessions. 

Mentoring – Each first-year associate is assigned a mentor within his or her practice group in connection with the State Bar of Georgia’s Transition into Law Practice Program (“TILPP”). This mentor is either a senior associate or partner 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 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 the AGG 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 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 which incorporate assessments from all attorneys with whom the associate worked.

Associates' Committee - The associates elect an associates' committee, which is currently comprised of five 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.

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.

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
2004 – 5
2005 – 4
2006 – 4
2007 – 6

Compensation - The base salary for first-year associates is currently $130,000. Those completing judicial clerkships receive a clerkship bonus, plus one year's credit toward partnership. Hours-based bonuses are awarded to those meeting certain billable hour thresholds above the 1900 billable hour expectation. In addition, discretionary bonuses may be awarded in recognition of exceptional work performance, client service, business development or pro bono activities.

Billable Hours - The billable hour expectation for associates is 1900 annually.

Department Assignments - We attempt to place incoming associates in their desired practice areas, depending on our current hiring needs. If an associate desires to transfer to another practice area, the firm will make every effort to accommodate such requests.

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, Bar Exam review course fees, State Bar dues and CLE.