| Summary |
To secure a long-term offer from your summer associate program, focus on delivering consistent, high-quality work, building strong relationships across the firm, seeking diverse assignments, showing genuine interest in the firm’s work, and applying feedback quickly. Maintain professionalism in every interaction, and end the summer with gratitude, enthusiasm, and polished final deliverables to leave a lasting positive impression.
| Questions Answered in This Article |
- How can summer associates understand a law firm’s expectations early in the program?
By clarifying preferred communication styles, learning timekeeping and billing procedures, understanding quality standards, and asking thoughtful questions at the start to avoid missteps.
- What is the best way to consistently deliver excellent work as a summer associate?
Meet or beat deadlines, proofread carefully, fully understand assignments before starting, anticipate follow-up needs, and produce thorough, high-quality work every time.
- Why is building relationships across the firm important during a summer program?
Relationships create internal advocates who can support you during offer decisions and provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to different practice areas.
- How should summer associates demonstrate interest in the firm’s work and clients?
By researching the firm’s industries, staying informed on recent cases or deals, asking strategic questions about matters, and engaging in related practice area events.
- What steps should a summer associate take to end the program on a high note?
Complete all assignments with care, thank everyone you’ve worked with, express enthusiasm for returning full-time, request final feedback, and maintain professional connections after the program ends.
Your summer associate program is more than just a 10-week introduction to law firm life—it’s essentially a prolonged job interview. While law schools prepare you to think like a lawyer, your summer program is where you prove you can perform like one.
The ultimate goal? To finish the summer with a full-time offer in hand. Here’s how to make the most of your summer associate experience and set yourself up for a long, successful career at your firm.
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Understand the Firm’s Expectations Early
Clarifying expectations in your first days as a summer associate sets the tone for success. Knowing exactly how the firm operates helps you avoid missteps and deliver work that meets or exceeds their standards.
- Learn the preferred communication style—email, phone, in-person check-ins.
- Understand timekeeping procedures and billing requirements.
- Ask how assignments are typically delegated and the expected turnaround time.
- Identify the quality standards for written work, research, and client deliverables.
Deliver Excellent Work Every Time
As a summer associate, every assignment is an opportunity to build trust and prove you’re a strong long-term hire. Even seemingly small tasks can influence how attorneys perceive your professionalism and readiness for full-time work.
- Meet or Beat Deadlines – Timeliness is critical. If a deadline is unrealistic, communicate early so adjustments can be made.
- Prioritize Accuracy – Proofread all work carefully for grammar, citations, and formatting. Small mistakes can undermine your credibility.
- Understand the Assignment Fully – Ask clarifying questions before you start, and confirm the scope, format, and audience for your work.
- Provide Thorough, Useful Work Product – Anticipate potential follow-up questions and include relevant extra research or explanations.
- Be Consistent – High-quality results across multiple assignments build your reputation as dependable and capable.
Pro Tip: Treat every task as if it’s going directly to a client—because often, it will. That mindset naturally raises the quality of your work.
Build Relationships Across the Firm
Your summer associate experience isn’t just about the work—it’s also about building a strong professional network inside the firm. Relationships you develop now can influence your reputation, mentorship opportunities, and ultimately, your chances of receiving a full-time offer.
- Meet Attorneys Beyond Your Practice Group – Introduce yourself to lawyers from different departments to gain exposure to diverse areas of law and broaden your internal network.
- Engage in Firm Events – Attend lunches, social gatherings, training sessions, and pro bono activities. These informal settings help you connect with colleagues on a personal level.
- Show Genuine Interest – Ask about attorneys’ career paths, recent cases, and practice areas. People remember genuine curiosity over transactional conversations.
- Connect with Support Staff – Treat paralegals, legal assistants, and administrative staff with respect. They often have valuable insights and can be strong advocates for you.
- Follow Up Thoughtfully – After meeting someone new, send a brief thank-you or connect on LinkedIn with a personalized note to keep the relationship warm.
Pro Tip: People hire—and advocate for—those they like and trust. Building rapport across the firm creates allies who can speak positively about you during hiring discussions.
Seek Out Diverse Assignments
Summer programs are your chance to explore the breadth of a law firm’s work and show that you’re adaptable. Taking on a variety of assignments not only builds your skills but also demonstrates to partners and recruiters that you can handle different practice areas and client needs.
- Request Work from Multiple Practice Groups – If possible, get exposure to both transactional and litigation matters to develop a broader perspective.
- Volunteer for Challenging or Unfamiliar Tasks – Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, new assignments can expand your skill set and help you discover unexpected interests.
- Balance Complexity with Manageability – Aim for a mix of quick-turnaround tasks and longer, more in-depth projects to showcase versatility.
- Work with Different Attorneys – Building relationships with lawyers at various levels across multiple teams gives you more advocates when hiring decisions are made.
- Track Your Experience – Keep a simple log of assignments, the skills you used, and what you learned. This will help during your end-of-summer evaluation.
Pro Tip: Saying “yes” to a wide range of assignments signals enthusiasm and flexibility—two qualities firms value highly in potential associates.
Be a Team Player
Law firms succeed through collaboration, and your ability to work well with others is just as important as your legal skills. Being a true team player builds goodwill, strengthens relationships, and enhances your reputation across the firm.
- Offer Help Proactively – If you finish your work early, ask teammates if they need assistance. This shows initiative and reliability.
- Share Credit Generously – Acknowledge the contributions of colleagues, paralegals, and support staff when presenting work or discussing results.
- Communicate Clearly and Often – Keep supervisors and teammates updated on your progress so they’re never left wondering about the status of a project.
- Respect Everyone’s Role – Treat partners, associates, and staff with equal professionalism—every role contributes to the firm’s success.
- Stay Positive Under Pressure – High workloads and tight deadlines are common; maintaining a constructive attitude helps keep team morale strong.
Pro Tip: People remember how you made them feel. When you consistently support your team and show respect for everyone’s contributions, you build a reputation as someone they want to work with again.
Show Interest in the Firm’s Work and Clients
Law firms want summer associates who demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the work they do and the clients they serve. Showing interest goes beyond simply completing assignments—it means engaging with the firm’s cases, deals, and industry focus in a way that reflects curiosity and commitment.
- Research the Firm’s Clients and Industries – Learn about the sectors the firm represents, such as finance, tech, healthcare, or energy, so you understand the business context behind the legal work.
- Stay Informed on Recent Cases and Deals – Follow press releases, firm newsletters, and legal news coverage to be aware of the firm’s most significant matters.
- Ask Smart Questions – When appropriate, ask about the strategy behind a case or deal. This shows you’re thinking beyond the immediate task and considering the bigger picture.
- Engage in Related Practice Area Events – Attend CLEs, internal presentations, or industry seminars to deepen your knowledge and make connections.
- Tie Assignments to Broader Impact – Consider how your work fits into the client’s goals or the matter’s overall progress, and discuss that perspective when presenting your results.
Pro Tip: When attorneys see that you care about the firm’s clients and successes as much as they do, they’re more likely to view you as a future colleague rather than just a temporary summer hire.
Ask for Feedback—and Apply It
Seeking feedback during your summer associate program shows self-awareness, humility, and a commitment to growth. But asking for input is only half the equation—how you respond and apply it matters even more.- Request Feedback Early and Often – Don’t wait until your mid-summer or final review. After completing an assignment, ask your supervising attorney what you did well and where you can improve.
- Be Specific in Your Request – Instead of “How did I do?”, try “Was my analysis clear, or should I approach it differently next time?” This invites more actionable advice.
- Listen Without Defensiveness – Take notes, thank the person for their input, and avoid making excuses.
- Implement Changes Immediately – Apply suggestions to your next assignment to show you take feedback seriously and can adapt quickly.
- Follow Up on Progress – Later in the summer, check in to confirm that you’ve addressed prior concerns and are meeting expectations.
Pro Tip: Attorneys notice when someone grows during the program. Showing measurable improvement after receiving feedback can be a deciding factor in whether you receive a full-time offer.
Maintain Professionalism at All Times
In a summer associate program, every interaction counts toward your reputation—both in and out of the office. The way you present yourself signals to partners and colleagues whether you’re ready to represent the firm and its clients.
- Be Punctual – Arrive on time for meetings, calls, and events. In the legal world, lateness is often interpreted as a lack of respect for others’ time.
- Dress Appropriately – Follow the firm’s dress code, leaning toward more formal attire when in doubt. Your appearance should match the professional standards of the workplace.
- Mind Your Conduct at Social Events – Networking receptions, dinners, and happy hours are still part of your evaluation. Avoid overindulging in alcohol and maintain professional boundaries.
- Communicate with Care – Keep emails, instant messages, and phone calls professional, even in casual internal conversations. Avoid gossip and negative talk about colleagues or clients.
- Respect Confidentiality – Never discuss client matters in public or with unauthorized individuals. Confidentiality breaches can end a legal career before it begins.
- Stay Present and Engaged – Put away your phone during meetings and conversations to show attentiveness and respect.
Pro Tip: Law firm hiring decisions often come down to whether attorneys trust you to be client-facing. Professionalism at all times—inside and outside the office—builds that trust.
End the Summer on a High Note
The final weeks of your summer associate program are just as important as the first. How you wrap up your time can leave a lasting impression that influences hiring decisions and future opportunities.
- Finish All Assignments Strong – Ensure your final projects are polished, complete, and submitted on time. Leaving unfinished work or sloppy deliverables can overshadow earlier successes.
- Express Gratitude – Personally thank the partners, associates, and staff you’ve worked with. A short, sincere thank-you email or handwritten note can go a long way.
- Reaffirm Your Interest in the Firm – Let key decision-makers know that you’d be excited to return as a full-time associate. Show enthusiasm for the work, the people, and the culture.
- Request Final Feedback – Ask for a quick end-of-summer check-in to understand what you did well and where you can grow before starting full-time.
- Leave Your Network Warm – Connect on LinkedIn with colleagues you’ve worked closely with, and keep in touch even after the program ends.
- Participate in Closing Events – Attend wrap-up meetings, presentations, or social gatherings to demonstrate engagement until your last day.
Pro Tip: People tend to remember the most recent interactions they have with you. By ending the summer on a strong, positive, and appreciative note, you solidify your image as a valuable future colleague.
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Final Thoughts
The summer associate program is your best opportunity to turn a temporary position into a long-term career. By delivering excellent work, building relationships, showing initiative, and demonstrating genuine interest in the firm’s mission, you position yourself as a must-hire candidate.
If you treat your summer like the extended interview it is, you’ll leave with more than just experience—you’ll leave with an offer and a clear path to future success.
