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Summer Associates FAQs
1. What do you look for in a summer associate?
There is no Patton Boggs "type." Indeed, a distinctive feature of our firm is its diversity of personalities, backgrounds, talents, and interests. But we must evaluate hundreds of law students to select a summer associate class, and a few characteristics stand out in our evaluation process. Although we do not have a rigid policy regarding grades, an academic record that displays strong writing and verbal skills is a must. A flexible and adaptive personality is a plus, as are character, maturity, and a solid work ethic.
2. What can I expect from the Summer Program?
Expect to see clearly what practicing law at Patton Boggs is all about, not a dog-and-pony show. We have fun doing what we do, and we have no hesitation welcoming summer associates into the reality of practicing law here. Of course, we want summer associates to experience the cities we live in as well. We engage summer associates in a healthy mix of interesting work, relaxing diversions, and educational experiences. In addition to a designated writing mentor, each summer associate is assigned a partner-mentor and an associate-mentor to guide them in experiencing every professional aspect of Patton Boggs.
3. What type of work is given to summer associates?
We want summer associates to experience a breadth of legal areas and to get some sense of the diverse personalities at the firm. Examples of summer associate work assignments include tracking and analyzing legislation, conducting legal research, drafting motions and briefs, attending hearings and depositions, participating in negotiation and strategy sessions, drafting contracts, and much more. In recent years we've asked summer associates to work on issues such as cutting-edge telecommunications problems, Indian tribal sovereignty, commercial speech under the First Amendment, and political asylum.
4. How can summer associates really experience interesting dimensions of a sophisticated legal practice?
Don't clients object to paying for summer associates to attend proceedings already staffed by attorneys? Yes, sometimes clients would object to paying for summer associates to attend a congressional hearing or an oral argument in court or a deposition when the proceeding is already staffed by firm attorneys. But our Management and Recruitment Committees are committed to providing summer associates with as much hands-on experience as possible. We have a special non-billable number for summer associates to record time devoted to such experiences. That way, clients do not get billed, but the summer associate enjoys an experience that might not have been otherwise available.
5. How are summer associates assigned work?
Assignments for summer associates are administered by the Recruitment Committee and are monitored to ensure that each summer associate experiences a variety of practice areas and types of projects. We try to ensure that each summer associate works with as many attorneys in the firm as possible. That way, summer associates can discover their own affinities for practice areas and chemistries with differing attorney work styles.
6. What kind of training is provided to summer associates?
The summer program offers a rich array of training opportunities. Summer associates are welcomed and encouraged to attend practice group and other in-house seminars. A weekly seminar series addresses issues of particular pertinence to summer associates. Topics include legal writing, workload and time management, depositions, and the art of negotiation. In addition to the pre-scheduled seminars, each class is invited to propose topics of particular interest.
7. What type of social life can summer associates expect?
Patton Boggs has never been accused of being dull. The firm prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere and its reputation as a fun office where people actually like each other and like to socialize. Official and non-official events occur all summer long. As with our summer program generally, the social calendar reflects the diverse character and style of the firm. The social calendar certainly acquaints summer associates with the rich cultures of our various locales. We introduce them to things that we enjoy, from the battles of our favorite baseball team to our favorite neighborhood pubs. That way, summer associates get a realistic insight into the relaxed social climate of the firm. Summer events have included casual dinner parties at partners' homes, a boat cruise, baseball games, bowling parties, backyard barbecues, softball games, a casino night, trip to the horse races, and evenings at the theatre. Additionally, we bring all summer associates together to our DC office for training and an opportunity to meet firm leaders. This visit also provides time for all our firm summer associates to socialize.
8. Do you allow summer associates to "split," and do you have a minimum week requirement?
In DC, New Jersey, and Denver, we strongly discourage split summers. Nonetheless, we will consent to it for summer associates who commit to a minimum of 8 weeks spent with us during the first half of the summer. Split summers are allowed in Dallas (as is the norm for the region) provided the summer associate spends a minimum of 6 weeks with us during the first half of the summer.
9. Are summer associates expected to bill a certain number of hours?
We want summer associates to demonstrate their work ethic, but we believe it is unreasonable to expect a specific number of hours. Our greater concern is that summer associates get an accurate sense of the firm and enjoy their work and social experience here. We want our summer associates free to focus on producing good work, not on reaching some arbitrary number of hours regardless of quality.
10. How large is your summer class?
In DC and Dallas, the number has varied over the years, from 8 to 18, reflecting our practice to hire based upon our actual needs, and thus be in a position to extend offers to everyone. Based on this same principal, our Denver office typically hires from 2 to 5 summer associates. Our New Jersey office will be looking for 5 to 7 summer associates.
11. Do summer associates participate in pro bono projects?
Summer associates are strongly encouraged to take on pro bono projects and to be active participants in the firm’s community service activities. Our active and award-winning pro bono program offers summer associates a special opportunity to test their advocacy skills and gain immediate hands-on experience across a range of interesting legal fields. Our summer associates have participated in immigration, employment discrimination, Native American rights, non-profit corporate counseling, public benefits, wrongful imprisonment, economic development, civil liberties, international human rights, domestic violence, and death penalty cases.
12. What distinguishes the summer associate experience at Patton Boggs?
We think lawyering at Patton Boggs is a uniquely exciting professional experience. By introducing summer associates to the reality of the practice here, we believe our distinctive features become obvious and compelling. Our selection process for the summer program is meticulous, because we want to extend permanent offers to all summer associates. We intend our careful selection to remove some of the pressure from summer associates, who can thus forge closer bonds with their colleagues and enjoy a richer work experience without the distorting effects of an excessively competitive environment. We don’t pigeonhole anyone. We recognize that summer associates should not be expected to decide the particulars of their professional track without an opportunity to experience the breadth and the depth of a diverse practice. Pro bono work enhances that experience because our sophisticated program and diverse service-provider network enables summer associates to pick what uniquely excites them. Summer associates typically work on more than one pro bono project during their tenure, and often see the fruits of their labors to completion, a benefit not always available during a two- or three-month summer window with paying clients.
Any further questions about the Summer Associate Program? Contact our Director of Professional Recruitment Kara Reidy, or our Regional Directors, Camin Ayres (Dallas), Angela Welsh (Denver), or Karl Riehl (New Jersey). |
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