Succeeding as a Law Firm Summer Associate

In this post, we’ll show you how to make a positive—and lasting—impression on your summer employer. The key to this is, in a word, commitment. Commitment is essential to the practice of law. Clients are very committed to seeing their legal problems solved, and they expect their lawyers to share that commitment. We also know that most lawyers try their very best to demonstrate that commitment on each matter. This summer, you can strengthen the relationships you build at your firm by demonstrating commitment yourself. The way to do this is no secret—you’ll have to work hard.

A big part of working hard, in turn, is putting in the time. In that vein, don’t expect your legal career to follow the standard 9-to-5 schedule. For many partners and full-time associates, most work days start early. Those days often begin with things like client meetings or court appearances, and they just as often continue well into the evening. 

So, this summer, plan to get in early and leave late. Try to be in the office when most people arrive, as well as when they leave. Though this will be tiring, it’ll clearly signal your commitment to a legal career. Being in the office at these times will also give you more opportunities to connect with the firm’s attorneys, and to talk with them in a way that’s rarely possible during a busy work day.

And when workloads are especially heavy, late nights are common. Those putting in the late nights aren’t all raving workaholics, although it may sometimes feel that way. They’re simply committed to delivering what their clients want and need and to making their own work product the best it can be. 

Speaking of work, if you’re light on work to do, ask for some. Make sure your colleagues and superiors know that you’re ready to help however you can, even if only by making copies or ordering take-out. 

You can also demonstrate commitment by proactively learning as much as possible about the firm, its clients, and those who work there. You’ll certainly discover much by talking to people at social functions, but you’ll find out even more by reading everything you can on the firm’s website and internal database. You should also check out your firm’s brochures, bios, and lists of notable cases or transactions. 

But the best way to learn is by watching how people work at your firm. If you have the chance to attend things like depositions, mediations, court conferences, court hearings, or client meetings, do it without hesitation. This lets you see the firm’s lawyers in action, and even discuss the experience with them as you head back to the office. Of course, always remember, work comes first. So, for instance, if you have a deadline to meet, you’ll have to stay at the office and catch the next opportunity to observe.

Take the time to learn how the firm finds new clients and develops relationships with existing clients. Business development and client service are the lifeblood of every firm. Partners and senior associates devote considerable time to these things. One of the many ways lawyers engage with current and prospective clients is by writing articles to appear on their firm’s website or in external publications. These articles might also be distributed through social media or as client alerts or newsletters.

But researching and writing articles takes time, a resource that, for busy lawyers, is always in short supply. For any summer associate who wants to stand out, this provides a tremendous opportunity to build key relationships.

So, how do you get involved in this process? First, identify the lawyers at the firm who write regularly. Study their practice areas and the clients they serve, and be sure to review their bios on the firm’s intranet. Find out where they’ve been published and what subjects they’ve written or spoken about. Talk to others at the firm, such as the firm’s law librarians. From them, you can learn which trade publications, blogs, websites, and newsletters you should read to get a sense of what these lawyers, and their clients, will find most interesting. But don’t stop there. Research other lawyers in the same practice area, even if they’re with other firms, and look for what they’ve written and where their work has been published.

As you search, keep 2 things in mind. First, try to find topics you have an interest in writing about. Second, look for material that might be useful to your firm’s clients. Lawyers are always on the lookout for new ways to communicate with clients. If you can find anything that helps them do this, they’ll probably recognize your efforts. When you do come across something you feel is new and interesting, share it with those in your orbit and gauge the reaction.

Once you have a list of potential topics, present them to the relevant partner. Offer to prepare an initial draft of an article on any topic that interests the partner. If the partner is open to your involvement but doesn’t like any of the topics you’ve come up with, don’t be discouraged. Keep researching until you come across a topic that gets a positive reaction.

And once the partner gives you the green light, work hard to make your article the best it can be. And don’t forget to consult with your firm’s marketing department, if it has one, as you move along with the article. The marketing team can provide invaluable support once the article is ready to publish.

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