Professional Development Directors
Matthew Sutko, Appellate Coordinator, U.S. Department of Justice:
“Over the years I’ve edited or written well over a thousand appellate briefs, have spoken on appellate advocacy, and have attended legal writing seminars taught by some of the country’s top instructors. Without a doubt, your session is the best I’ve seen. You gave me a lot of easy to understand practical pointers that will improve my editing and brief-writing skills. The concept of ‘show—don’t tell’ alone is worth the seminar—it’s something I can use in every document I write. I really can’t say enough nice things about your session. Thanks again.”
Amy Zinman, Manager of Attorney Professional Development, Nixon Peabody:
“We brought Ross in to conduct a program for our first-year litigators. The program got rave reviews, such as: ‘Great tips and very relevant to my practice. I want to go back and revise all my memos now!’ We’ve now hired Ross to work with our summer associates and are looking for other opportunities to give more of our attorneys the benefit of his highly practical advice, and the enjoyment of attending his engaging presentation.”
Mike Gieger, Vice President, Qwest Law Department:
“Ross provided an all-day seminar for my entire department and, in addition to an unprecedented attendance rate, produced a first in my experience—virtually everyone who attended said that the seminar was ‘too short!’”
Sarah Staup, Director of Professional Personnel, Dykema:
“We have had Ross in to conduct several programs for our associates and summer associates, all of which received rave reviews. Comments such as:
‘Practical advice’;
‘Excellent handouts’; and
‘Kept my attention the entire time,’
keep resurfacing. Perhaps the most telling review came from a first year associate who commented that he ‘couldn't wait to leave the workshop and go write something!’ Ross has an easy, approachable personality, and he instills confidence immediately that he knows his craft well.”
New York Offices, Allen & Overy:
“The New York office of Allen & Overy LLP has used Ross Guberman as a writing skills instructor in programs for our summer and first year associates over the past two years. The feedback has been consistently positive. His knowledge, style and personality make his seminars educational yet enjoyable. Some of the comments from the 2008 Summer Associate class are:
‘The workshop was very well organized. Excellent’;
‘Examples were quite helpful’;
‘The most engaged I've been in a writing workshop’;
‘Very helpful and knowledgeable. Handles any question thrown at him’; and
‘The training was more extensive and relevant than most of what we receive in school.’”
Katherine M. White, former Senior Manager of Professional Development and Attorney Recruiting, Dickstein Shapiro:
“We have hired Ross to offer programs for our summer associates, new associates and our corporate group attorneys over the past two years, and each program has been very well received. I can highly recommend Ross to anyone who is looking for a useful and entertaining legal writing program.
Here are some quotes from our associates:
‘The course was both in depth and concise—everything legal writing should be! I enjoyed working through practical examples to test the tips discussed. The materials are clear, organized, and helpful. Great energy!’”
Darlene Bong, Professional Development Manager, Cooley Godward Kronish:
“Ross recently presented his briefwriting course and summer writing course for us and we’ve already invited him back for more! Ross enthusiastically demonstrates his passion for writing and teaching. We received unanimously positive feedback on his presentations and his materials. Ross engages his audience and imparts information they can immediately apply.”
Pete Kenny, Virginia CLE Seminar Attorney:
“We recently had Ross present for us again, and his
presentation received an extraordinary 4.95 average rating on a 5-point scale.
Here were some of the many glowing comments: ‘Engaging and memorable,’
‘dynamic,’ ‘helped relieve my fear of writing,’ ‘absolutely useful,’ ‘message
is poignant,’ ‘extremely informative,’ ‘excellent illustrations and real-life
stories,’ ‘very funny, very polished, very informative,’ ‘connects well with
audience,’ ‘very confident, approachable, and knowledgeable,’ ‘kept me
interested for the duration.’”
Gary R. Krohn, Esq., Attorney Development Manager, Mayer Brown LLP:
“Mayer Brown LLP's Chicago office recently hired Ross Guberman from Legal Writing Pro to present a legal writing clinic for Summer Associates. Ross and his professional staff are highly organized and they made scheduling the program easy. The half-day workshop was informative, energetic, and interactive. Most importantly, we received excellent feedback from the participants: ‘covered a subject that is under-taught at my school;’ ‘the Toolkit looks to be an invaluable resource;’ and ‘I've gotten this far without learning grammar, but it looks like it's time to learn.’”
Jennifer Pangione, Firm-Wide Attorney Development Training Manager, Skadden Arps:
“I thought the program went very well. I was amazed at how short three hours felt. You kept interest throughout the program, using several different formats. I’m a big fan of mixing up a program with lecture, PowerPoint, exercises, etc. It was worth my time to come down for the session.”
Susan J. Irion, former Director of Professional Development, DLA Piper US LLP:
“Ross Guberman is a superb teacher of writing skills. He successfully combines a highly-engaging classroom style and scholarly knowledge of legal writing to deliver training that sticks. At DLA Piper, Ross has trained all levels of associates, who provide feedback about his tips and instruction, such as:
‘Practical. Immediately applicable’;
‘[I] liked the knowledge and enthusiasm of the speaker’;
‘I loved the exercises’;
‘[Ross has] an excellent command of the subject—knows everything!’; and
‘[He] helped me focus on what we are really trying to achieve with legal writing.’
“As a former legal writing professor myself, I really appreciate Ross’s skill with adult learners. I recommend him to any legal writer who wants to write for the greatest impact.”
Nancy L. Gray, former Associate Director, Legal Recruiting, Weil, Gotshal & Manges:
“Ross’s program is both practical and entertaining. Summer associates are particularly enamored with the Toolkit!”
Robin Sellier, Professional Development Manager, Schulte Roth & Zabel:
“Ross teaches engaging and informative seminars that garner consistently enthusiastic reviews from our attorneys. We have offered three different Legal Writing Pro seminars, and each was a great success. Ross is also flexible and creative, adapting his programs to the firm's needs.”
John Hayden, Principal, Fish & Richardson:
“This was an excellent program and a perfect conclusion to our summer associate retreat. Ross was incredibly energetic and engaging. The program flew by despite being during an early morning after two long days of activities. All of the participants, including summer associates, associates and principals, gained new insights and ideas. We definitely plan to engage Ross again next year!”
Andrew Hales, Professional Development Manager, Venable:
“Time and again, our associates find your workshop to be the most practical, most useful writing program they’ve ever attended. Your approach is right on.”
Nena Shaw, Esq., former Manager of Professional Development, Goodwin Procter:
“Of all the skills associates need to know, writing is the most critical. Through all his programs, Ross provides excellent advice and useful checklists that can help improve anyone’s writing. There is no other writing consultant I would use for attorneys at my firm.”
Yasmeen I. Burns, Professional Development Manager, Dow Lohnes:
“Your presentation on Four Steps to Standout Legal Writing was very well received by our associates. The information in your presentation and the additional reference material you provided were both fascinating and enlightening to them all.”
Jane Rhee, Esq., Manager of Professional Development & Training, Shearman & Sterling:
“Ross’s programs are very engaging, interactive and focused. Ross’s experience and background provides our associates with the practical, real world examples that help them achieve their best in legal writing.”
Laura Saklad, Chief Lawyer Development Officer, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP:
“Ross conducts astoundingly practical, focused sessions with an enthusiasm one rarely finds in such presentations. The programs are outstanding, and consistently a favorite at our firm. His Four Steps approach to legal writing provides attorneys with tangible tips they can easily apply to improve their work.”
J.D. Neary, Firm-Wide Training Director, McGuireWoods:
“The thing I liked best about the class is that Ross ‘gets it.’ He understands how courts want information delivered to them, and he is able to get that across to associates by using real-life writing examples, both good and bad. The content and delivery were excellent.”
Raymond C. Ruppert, Director of CLE, North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, President, ACLEA:
“Ross’s program evaluations speak volumes. Both his program and materials score consistently superb ratings.”
Kay Nash, Director of Professional Development, Wiley Rein LLP:
“Ross's engaging presentations stress the need to write to advocate a client's position or answer a client's problem—not just to put legal research on to the printed page. This approach has helped our associates move their legal writing to the next level. Ross's practical approach and comprehensive materials add tremendous value to the program. Above all else, I appreciate Ross's sense of humor and the ease of planning one of his workshops!”
Peter Sloan, Career Development Partner, Blackwell Sanders:
“Ross uses fresh, timely examples and an engaging presentation style to make his writing seminars fun. Well done!”
Judy Kalman, Director, AG Institute at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General:
“Excellent, accessible examples used with a purpose. Engaging style; your enthusiasm is infectious. You have an outstanding ability to articulate why and what the objectives are. I am going to try to apply your techniques in the next brief I write. Thank you.”
Jerry Liebes, Chief Learning Officer, FCC:
“Ross’s workshops received high praise from our attorneys, who not only liked his presentations but also found them useful and applicable to their work. They want him back for more.”
Gwendolyn Byrd, CLE Director, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis:
“Thank you for coming to St. Louis and presenting your Legal Writing Seminar. The feedback was all positive. The evaluation remarks praised your delivery, style and the information they received. Many said it was the best seminar they had ever attended. Some of the attendees told me they were going to contact you to present at their firm. Your personal and materials rating on a scale of 1 to 5 averaged a 5 with some 5+ responses. It was a pleasure working with you. I look forward to your return.”
Jim Lovelace, former Manager of Lawyer Development, Miller & Chevalier:
“We invited Ross to do a workshop largely on the recommendation of an associate who had taken his advanced writing course at GW Law School. She raved about him! Ross did not disappoint, and our other associates were quite pleased as well. Ross has a real knack for bringing his points to a down-to-earth level that are easy to remember and implement. We’re excited to have him come back.”
Linda Hardenstein, former Professional Development Director, Patton Boggs:
“Our associates continue to give feedback about how they are applying the skills taught in Ross Guberman’s writing program. Ross’s use of well-known cases made the teaching come alive. He made the materials relevant to each of the four practice groups represented in the room. His energy and program design encouraged even the most reluctant attorneys to participate without hesitation.”
Gail McGinley, Manager, Legal Personnel & Recruiting, Willkie Farr & Gallagher:
“Ross has presented numerous writing programs for our summer associates, as well as associates at all levels. His reviews are consistently great—participants always enjoy his interactive and example-driven presentations and find his materials to be very useful. Ross’s command of the subject matter is excellent and his presentations are always engaging. We have asked him to tailor programs to the specific needs of practice groups and it was clear that he had taken our suggestions into consideration while working on the program. It’s always a pleasure working with Ross and we would not hesitate offering a recommendation. We always look forward to Ross returning to Willkie!”
JeanMarie Campbell, Former Firmwide Director of Attorney Development,
Akin Gump:
“Ross Guberman’s program is practical, relevant and most importantly, engaging. When I receive feedback from my associates touting the content of his presentation as well as his energy and enthusiasm, I know that I have struck gold. Ross’s program is a winner in my book!”
Tammy S. Tremain, Managing Attorney for CLE,
Wisconsin State Bar:
“Ross’s program was fantastic. My attendees gave Ross very high marks for his content, course materials and delivery. It was a very personable, well-presented program. The concepts presented can easily and seamlessly be applied to every-day practice.”
Rick Slee, Assistant Director for CLE, Ohio State Bar:
“I just finished reviewing the evaluations from the Columbus and Cincinnati programs, and the attendees were unanimous in their praise for you and the seminar. Close to 100% of those in attendance rated you as ‘Excellent.’ Sample comments: ‘An entertaining and informative program that I highly recommend.’ ‘Fantastic speaker.’ ‘Your tips are easy to follow and understand. You make it worthwhile to pay attention in a CLE.’ We’re looking forward to bringing you back to Ohio next year.”
Sharon DiPasquale, former Director of Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development, Dow, Lohnes & Albertson:
“I am thrilled with how the program turned out and how well received it was by all of the associates. I enjoyed working with you and appreciate your responsiveness in every aspect of this program—from beginning to end. We will definitely be calling on you again for our writing program needs.”
Christine Mersten, Deputy Attorney General and Director of CLE,
Office of the California Attorney General:
“Ross taught at each of our offices in our major cities. He was insightful, entertaining, and his materials extremely beneficial. Our deputies had such a good time and learned so much they didn’t want to leave when his presentation was concluded! We received some of the highest scores we have ever seen on the evaluations for Ross’s class.”
Randi Lewis, Esq., Director of Diversity and Professional Development,
Miles & Stockbridge:
“I wanted to let you know how well your writing course was received by our lawyers this fall. They told me this was the best writing workshop they have ever taken. As you know, after you conducted your workshop this summer, many of the summer associates told me enthusiastically that this was one of the highlights of our summer program. Your workshop as well as the strength of your personality played a big role in our #5 national ranking [out of 159] in the American Lawyer 2004 Summer Associates Survey.”
Magda Hageman-Apol, former Firm-Wide Director for Professional Development, K&L Gates:
“Ross Guberman hit the mark with his writing seminar for our First Year class. The program content and presentation were first rate. He employed a simple way to make legal writing understandable, used colorful recent examples to demonstrate his rules and had effective tips for immediate implementation to improve work product. Evaluations from the group were extremely favorable and Ross was very responsive to our needs.”
Karen Morita, Human Resources Director, Greenberg Traurig:
“Ross Guberman’s email workshop for our business staff and paralegals provided interactive exercises and practical tips that could be put to use immediately. The supporting materials provide a reference for the participants to carry back to their desk and provide insight for those who were unable to attend the course. The best part of the workshop, however, is that Ross was funny and entertaining. We have received nothing but positive feedback from the participants and see daily the evidence of the learning that took place in the e-mail messages written by our employees.”
Karen Lee, CLE Seminars Manager, Oregon State Bar:
“Our bar members were extremely pleased with Ross’s CLE presentations. In fact, several members commented that they wanted longer programs! The programs delivered relevant and practical information that could be implemented immediately. Ross’s delivery style is energetic and well-paced. Time spent in any of Ross’s writing seminars is time well-spent.”
Colleen Sheffler, Assistant Director, Minnesota CLE:
“Your enthusiasm created a high-energy atmosphere and encouraged attendee participation in the exercises. We heard several comments that your focus on legal writing, as opposed to a more general approach, was appreciated—and what they came for. The written materials are excellent, and will serve as a useful reference in the future.”
Rob Koonce, Director, Center for Legal Education and Professional Development, New Mexico State Bar:
“Ross Guberman’s delivery of legal writing can be described as nothing less than a commanding performance. As aptly noted by an attendee, his presentation was ‘well-organized, interesting, engaging, and to the point.’”
