Baker Botts L.L.P.

Training & Assignments

• “I received actual work assignments, including research and drafting documents which were used in litigation or patent prosecution. Attorneys in the office were always available to answer questions and help guide me through assignments. I received valuable feedback throughout the summer.”
• “The summer at Baker Botts is definitely more work-focused than socially-focused. The summer is a free-market system in which summers are allowed to rotate between departments. The summer associates have autonomy to create their own summer program and pick the assignments they want to do. Summer associates are tasked with real billable work and have opportunities to interact with clients during the summer.”
• “Baker Botts offered continued learning opportunities, such as working one-on-one with someone on your writing or negotiation simulations. I also handled substantive projects and worked directly with several partners. As just a summer associate, the partner had me corresponding with the client directly.”

Social Opportunities

• “The summer classes at Baker Botts are typically very close. There are weekly summer social events that cater to all types of activities. Summers interact with attorneys on a daily basis and are typically invited to lunch with at least one attorney every day.”
• “There were many social events throughout the summer which provided an opportunity to meet and interact with many attorneys both inside and outside of my practice area. The social events were well thought out and fun. There was great camaraderie among summer associates, particularly within my practice area. We frequently would meet up even outside of scheduled social events.”
• “Due to the pandemic, our opportunities for social events were extremely limited, although my group made an effort to host online events that were really fun and helped me connect with other attorneys.”
• “I loved that there were never any events on the weekends. Everyone was so nice and open to have lunch/coffee or just talk about anything. It truly felt there was an open-door policy for everyone's offices. The camaraderie was a bit closer with the other summer associates whom you worked on the same floor with, but everyone was nice and welcoming and got along.”

Associate Experience vs. Summer Expectations

• “My experience practicing is largely what I expected, based on my experience as a summer associate. One key difference is that there is more inter-office collaboration than I expected as a summer associate, which may be a result of the pandemic. I think more inter-office collaboration is a good thing, though.”
• “Representations to me as a summer have been honored as an associate: ability to practice in IP broadly (not having to choose only litigation or prosecution out the gate), billable hours targets, and working with sophisticated clients on cutting-edge technology. I've also been pleasantly surprised by the collegiality and work ethic of both partners and associates across the group.”
• “It mostly tracks my expectations. I would say the corporate work fluctuates greatly, which I didn't completely expect. There are some times when I can leave at 5 and go home, and others where I have to work late. It's unpredictable as a junior.”

Favorite Summer Events

• “Tour of DC and the African American museum.” 
• “Virtual coffee with my partner and associate mentors.” 
• “In-office putt putt (where each floor gets very enthusiastic about the theme and design of their putt putt hole, and there is delicious food per hole, too).” 
• “A ‘get to know your class’ scavenger hunt.”

As a summer associate, we want you to experience what it is like to be a lawyer within our offices—both working with clients and getting to know your colleagues on a professional and personal level. During the summer program, the firm provides you with many opportunities to gain substantive and practical knowledge, in addition to meeting our lawyers and gaining a better understanding of our firm's heritage and culture. The cornerstone of our summer program, Baker Weekend, brings together summer associates and lawyers from all seven of our domestic offices for a weekend of training and social events. Our summer associates enjoy a weekend of socializing with each other and our attorneys in a fun, casual setting.