Hi.
I’m Susan Brooks.
I’m a senior law school admissions consultant with Admissions Consultants.
I was formerly the Associate Director of Admissions at both New York Law School and Georgetown
Law so I have a lot of experience reviewing law school applications and I look forward
to working with you.
You've worked hard to get your summer associate position—but getting the job is just the
beginning.
It's up to you to make the most of the opportunity now placed before you.
The following tips might seem like a lot to remember, but above all else, keep this in
mind: learn from everyone you work with and in everything you do, and you will have a
fun and rewarding summer.
There is no such thing as a rough draft.
Many attorneys will say, "Oh, just give me a draft of this by tomorrow."
Don't believe them!!!
Always put your best foot forward.
Sure, they might make revisions to any document you give them, but always make sure the document
you have turned in reflects the best of your abilities.
Your interview continues throughout the summer.
No doubt about it--the firm is glad to have you, but you will be evaluated, both professionally
and personally, throughout the summer.
And this advice extends to any and all social functions!
Try to go to the majority of functions by yourself so you can circulate with the attorneys
rather than treating the event as an opportunity to go on a date.
Some of the events might not seem like the most enjoyable way to spend your precious
free time, but try to attend as many of them as possible.
A note regarding drinking: if everyone else is drinking during an after-hours event, you
might consider having one, but only one, with them.
Never drink or smoke during the day, no matter what anyone else is doing and moreover, never
feel pressure to drink if you are a teetotaler.
People will not be upset if you stick to soda!
You will also find it quite common for attorneys to come up to you in the office and ask how
your summer is going.
Be enthusiastic!
Let them know that you enjoy your work and your contacts with the attorneys there.
Your enthusiasm will be contagious and will be remembered when the time comes for the
hiring committee to sit down at the end of the summer to consider offers of permanent
employment.
Your professional appearance and demeanor are important aspects of your evaluation.
Business and professional attire is expected unless you are specifically instructed to
dress casually.
Invest in some professional outfits including shoes.
You need to dress as well as act the role.
Get to know the attorneys who do the type of work you hope to do as early as possible.
If you already know the type of law you hope to practice, or if you have identified a few
areas of interest, make sure to introduce yourself to the attorneys in those areas.
Express interest in working for them or on their projects, ask them about opportunities
to tag-along or to accompany them to court appearances.
Even if summer work assignments are coordinated by one staff member, getting to know attorneys
in your area of interest can position you for the future.
If you are supposed to report to one source (such as the recruitment coordinator) for
your assignments, see if the attorney you hope to work for can route your assignments
through that staff member.
Some firms match their summer associates with permanent associate "mentors" who are responsible
for arranging lunches with other firm members.
If you have a mentor, tell him or her that you are interested in meeting with attorneys
in a particular practice area.
Ask for feedback rather than relying on others to get it for you.
Many firms claim to offer great feedback during the summer.
In reality, summer associate evaluations fall to the bottom of an attorney's work pile.
Don't wait until your mid-summer or end of summer review to find out that someone was
dissatisfied with your work.
After completing every assignment, ask to speak with the assigning attorney and express
your eagerness to receive constructive comments.
Even if you disagree with what is said, don't discuss your feelings during the feedback
session.
This will give you more time to make any necessary changes and will also reflect well on your
professionalism.
Stay out of office politics.
Avoid gossiping about anyone in or out of the office, whether they are support staff,
attorneys or fellow summer associates.
Remember to be especially thoughtful to secretaries.
Communicate, communicate, communicate.
You might be working with more than one attorney on a particular project.
In the event you are working with a partner and an associate on a deal, make sure that
the left hand knows what the right hand is directing.
For example, a student was told by an associate not to complete a particular assignment given
to her by a partner.
The student did not confirm these instructions with the partner, who ended up faulting the
student at the end of the summer for not completing the assignment.
Avoid falling into a similar situation by verifying major instructions with the attorney
who will be reviewing your work at the end of each project.
Are you looking for assistance with your law school applications or your internship interviews?
Call us at 1.800.809.0800 to learn more about how we can maximize your chances of gaining
admission to your top-choice law school and assist you with your internship interview
preparations.