2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Alston & Bird

• “The summer program provided ample training that was relevant for summer associate projects as well as for work as an associate after graduation. Work assignments were small in scope but still substantive and crucial to the cases; feedback was always provided afterwards for those who sought it out.”
• “The work assignments were varied enough in each practice group to get a sense of what work as an associate would be.”
• “I was able to work on a number of substantive assignments during my summer, including billable and pro bono work.”
• “I don't remember much from the trainings. Generally, I think they were fine. The assignments were fairly substantive—other than one fake assignment everyone had to do, the summer associates get real work.”

• “The social aspects of the firm were great—partners and associates both interact with summer associates at lunches and firm-sponsored events and in everyday workplace life. There was great camaraderie among the summer associates, and the in-person, all-summers retreat in Atlanta was fun and interactive.”
• “The summer associate class was very close and spent a lot of time together. Firm social events during the summer program were always well-attended and enjoyable.”
• “Seeing Hadestown on Broadway.”
• “I really enjoyed our seminar on the history of graffiti and art class.”

• “My experience has been almost exactly aligned with expectations. The communication I received as a summer was constant and actually reflected the reality of working at the firm. I was very surprised by how much the firm encouraged and supported me choosing my final practice area. I ended up in the perfect group for me.”
• “I have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of substantive work I have done as a first-/second-year associate and how plugged in I am on some of the case teams I'm on.”
• “The firm reorganized the group I was hired into between my summer and start date, meaning the work I do now as a practitioner is slightly different. However, the work is still interesting and challenging, and the firm is receptive when I raise my hand for different types of experience.”
• “The expectations I had have mostly been met, but I kept my expectations very open. Because I did so little corporate work during my summer, I did not have much to compare it to. My group is just as friendly and great to work with as they were during the summer, though, and I do not feel like my interactions changed once I started.”

• “The firm sponsored a summer associate-only dinner/drinks that really allowed me to get to know my fellow summer associates outside of the office. We got a private tour of the state appellate/supreme court building, which was awesome, and really put into perspective what joining the practice of law would entail.”
• “One event functioned as a sort of choose your own adventure, in the sense that summer associates (and practicing associates) were able to choose one of three options. I enjoyed that event because folks generally chose something that they wanted to do, and the energy was great among both summers and associates.”
• “Dinner parties at partners' houses, the ‘summer associates-only’ party hosted at another summer associate's home, and the first-day dinner.”
• “Virtual cocktail making class.”

Summer associates at our firm don’t have the experience of “visiting for the summer”; rather, they are given the respect, mentoring, and career development afforded to all of our associates. From the moment you accept your offer to be a part of our summer program, we begin a personalized experience designed with your entire career path in mind. In other words, we see far beyond your first, second, and third years of law school—we see future partners, firm and community leaders, clients, and mentors. Our summer associates do real work for real clients and enjoy social events with our attorneys and a firm-wide retreat in the Atlanta office.