Recruiting
The Firm's History
Hoskin Farina & Kampf, Professional
Corporation, traces its history from Vincent & Vincent, one of
the first law partnerships established in western Colorado around
the turn of the century. The modern history of the firm began
when James K. Groves returned to Grand Junction after law school to
associate with Alexander Bowie around 1933. James Groves became
one of the most prominent attorneys in the Rocky Mountain region,
recognized for his particular expertise in natural resources law and
was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1968. In the
1950's, William H. Nelson joined James Groves. William H.
Nelson carried on the tradition of quality representation as the
firm grew to its present day size.
Associate Attorneys
Our principal goal is and always has been to provide increased
value to our clients through high-quality, efficient and timely legal services
that are aligned with and responsive to our clients' needs and challenges.
Achievement of that goal depends on hiring and supporting attorneys qualified to
meet the responsibilities of a sophisticated regional practice. It is
expected that an associate attorney will obtain his or her license to practice
law in Colorado following the earliest available Colorado bar examination.
Compensation for associate attorneys consists of base salary -- generally
which is adjusted annually on an individual basis -- and an incentive bonus plan
which is available commencing with an associate attorney's first full year with
the firm, and annual contributions to an employee's profit sharing plan.
The firm has historically funded each employee's plan with a generous
contribution computed as a percentage of the employee's salary. Employees
are eligible to enter the firm's profit sharing plan at the earlier of January 1
or July 1 following the employee's first anniversary of employment. Other
benefits provided by the firm to associate attorneys include group life, health
and long term disability insurance plans; reimbursement for professional dues
and expenses; and a travel and expense allowance for continuing legal education
and other professional activities. The firm has no set vacation policy for
either associate attorneys or shareholders; each attorney is free to coordinate
personal vacation time consistent with the maintenance of a professional
practice.
Associate attorneys can expect to work in a variety of the firm's areas of
practice. In addition to performing research and writing tasks, a new
associate is expected to develop skills for effective client communication,
negotiations with other attorneys, drafting complex documents and litigation
with adverse parties. Although the time period varies with individual
skill and dedication, the firm delegates increased responsibilities to associate
attorneys as rapidly as possible, and an associate normally becomes fully and
directly occupied with client matters within one year.
Our attorneys have the opportunity to develop practice areas
of specialization consistent with their individual interests and particular
expertise; however, the demands of our practice require that each attorney gains
experience and expertise in several practice areas. Associate attorneys are
also encouraged to participate in community and professional organizations in
areas of their interest.
Associate attorneys are given regular feedback as to their performance. More
formal evaluations of all associates are conducted at or near the end of each
calendar year. Generally, a decision as to whether the firm will offer an
associate attorney the opportunity to become a shareholder is made by the
beginning of the calendar year following the sixth anniversary of employment.
The Community and Regional
Environment
As the largest community between
Denver and Salt Lake City,
Grand Junction
is the center of transportation, business, professional and cultural
activities for an extensive geographic area. As a result, Grand Junction possesses the amenities and
opportunities of a city several times larger than its urban area
population of approximately 140,000. In addition to the
traditional areas of agriculture, energy and tourism, Grand Junction has
attracted new services and light manufacturing industries to the
community, thus broadening its economic base. The community
offers a strong public school system, a four-year college with
post-graduate programs, a symphony orchestra and regional arts
center, museums, major hospital and medical center facilities, an
extensive parks and recreation program, and several golf, tennis and
athletic club facilities.
The Grand Junction area enjoys four distinct
seasons, none of which is severe. Sunny, mild and dry weather prevails
most of the year, enabling residents to take advantage of the abundance of
outdoor recreational opportunities available in western
Colorado
and eastern Utah.
The resort areas of Aspen,
Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride and Powderhorn are all easily accessible for
winter or summer sports or summer cultural festivals. Within a short distance
from Grand Junction are some of the finest mountain and canyon areas in the
Rocky Mountain region, including several national parks, monuments and
recreation areas, for skiing, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, road and
mountain bicycling, whitewater river rafting and boating.