Why Work Here?
At Troutman Pepper, our attorneys have the opportunity to shape their careers and thrive. We provide a collaborative environment where they can hone their skills through formal training, mentoring, and working alongside senior lawyers on client matters.
In 2020, we grew our capabilities by combining Troutman Sanders and Pepper Hamilton into one national firm. Our footprint spans eight of the 10 largest legal markets in the United States. Not only does our growth enhance our ability to provide a higher commitment to client care, but it also helps our associates form new relationships and discover more diverse, on-the-job opportunities.
Recently, Tiffany Bracewell (from the legacy Troutman firm) and Abbey Hazlett (from the legacy Pepper firm) sat down to talk face to face on a video call about life at Troutman Pepper.
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| Abbey Hazlett Partner Philadelphia |
Tiffany Bracewell Associate Atlanta |
Firm Integration
Working, Mentoring, and Pro Bono
Learn by doing challenging work.
Q: Tiffany, how have you developed your practice as an associate?
Tiffany Bracewell: There are always new areas for growth here. This year, I met and worked with Abbey for the first time. She asked me to write a client alert about the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which was a new and interesting practice area for me. Abbey and others gave me almost instantaneous feedback. She was very thoughtful about incorporating legacy Troutman associates in serving white collar clients.
Abbey Hazlett: Our professional development team is great at matching associates with partners. Tiffany threw herself into understanding the FCPA issues and came out with a work product perfect for our clients.
Follow your passion and give back to your community
Q: How does Troutman Pepper support young attorneys who want to pursue pro bono or community work?
Tiffany: Before I joined Troutman Pepper, I never thought in a million years that I could go to a big law firm and use my legal skills to defend indigent clients in criminal justice pro bono matters. The firm supported me taking a leave of absence to work as a Fellow of the Federal Defender Program here in Atlanta. I represent a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 2001. When my fellowship was over, I came back to the firm to serve firm clients. However, I’m still able to devote time to freeing this man of his life sentence.
Abbey: Like Tiffany, I’m able to work on things I’m passionate about. As a board member of the Committee of 70 in Philadelphia, I get to focus on voting rights. I remember going to the polls with my mom as a little girl. Now I take my young sons every election year.
We make pro bono work a high priority. Not only do we serve our communities, but pro bono experience also makes us better at serving our billable clients.
Balance professional and personal priorities.
Q: How do attorneys balance family and work in these unpredictable times?
Abbey: Our leadership has encouraged us to connect as much as possible using video. It’s important to be able to see each other’s expressions, particularly when you’re talking about complex issues.
The pandemic has actually helped us to get to know our colleagues and their values. You see a person’s real life. Right now, my son is watching a movie in the other room, and he might pop in here on this video call. That’s OK. My family is a big part of my life. That is who I am. One associate always has a cat sitting by his keyboard. I think there is an opportunity for us to get to know each other in a more personal way, even though we're not together in the office.
Tiffany: As an attorney, there is always a balancing act. Sometimes I feel like I have three jobs. I have Troutman Pepper client work and my pro bono commitments. My husband and I have a two-year-old son to care for. Oh, and a very needy German shepherd.
But you work hard and know that you can raise your hand and get the support you need.
Abbey: And we can do that in sweatpants.
Tiffany: (Laughing) Definitely in sweatpants.
A diverse culture makes us better attorneys.
Q: How does the firm encourage and support diversity and inclusion?
Tiffany: We know that diverse teams often achieve better results for clients. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental here. I will give you one example of many. You typically don’t see many women white collar partners at big law firms. This year, I’ve met a new group of them from the legacy Pepper firm, including Abbey. We all want to see people whose careers and lives we want to emulate.
Abbey: I hope every lawyer and staff member, from the rainmaker partners to first-year associates and the support staff that keep the ball moving and the lights on, feels like an integral part of what we do here.
We’re coming out of this merger and this pandemic better able to take on challenges. We’re better, stronger, more efficient, and more committed to the success of the firm as a collective. That’s why inclusion is so important.
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