BakerHostetler

• “The program included various trainings regarding the firm’s software, along with writing seminars, negotiation trainings, etc. Additionally, I received an extensive amount of assignments across a broad range of practice areas that kept me busy throughout the entire summer.”
• “Baker excels at getting summer associates any and all work assignments they're looking for. For example, I wanted to get courtroom experience, and I was able to get that by getting the opportunity to attend a pro bono adoption hearing. Additionally, all summer associates are involved in a summer legal writing program, which capstones with drafting a legal memorandum. Feedback is given formally twice during the summer and informally often.”
• “The work felt substantive from day one. I was given real assignments, and the attorneys took the time to walk me through the context behind each project. I left the summer feeling like I had an actual previous of practice, not just shadow experiences.”
• “The summer associate program was a good experience for me because I was essentially assigned to a practice group from the start, which allowed me to gain more training in the area, do more projects for my future team, and develop more meaningful relationships with my future team members.”

• “The firm made sure there was at least one (if not more) social events every week of the program. Associates and partners attended and were very friendly. My favorite event was the cooking class.”
• “They organized great social events both in and outside the office. It is a small summer class, so you have the opportunity to get to know a lot of attorneys.”
• “Baker's summer program had at least one social event per week, sometimes two. The summer program was small, but that made it easier to connect and bond with the summer class. Our summer class was and remains very close. We frequently hear comments from partners that we are the closest summer class they've ever seen, at Baker and other firms. My favorite summer event was a cooking class where we learned how to cook ratatouille and a barbeque at the Office Managing Partner's house.”
• “The social side was genuinely fun. The attorneys showed up, were relaxed, and treated us like part of the team. My favorite event was the summer associate dinner at our Managing Partner’s house because it felt the most natural and gave me a chance to really get to know people.”

• “The biggest surprise was how quickly I was trusted with real responsibility, which is more than I expected from my experience as a summer associate. I also did not realize how collaborative the practice would be. I assumed I would not work directly with partners, but they were very hands-on and accessible.”
• “The work I've been given has varied slightly in that I am contributing to more substantive motions as an associate. The research opportunities are fairly similar. As an associate, I have more autonomy over what practice areas I want to work with.”
• “One pleasant surprise has been the level of responsibility and trust placed in junior associates. While I expected to start with mostly research and drafting tasks, I’ve been given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to client matters, attend strategy meetings, and even help prepare for depositions and hearings. The learning curve is steep, but the support from senior attorneys has made it manageable and rewarding.”
• “I have been given way more substantive and complex assignments in my first year that push my abilities, including drafting motions, drafting deposition outlines, sitting second chair in depositions, drafting witness scripts, sitting second chair at trial, etc.”

Our multifaceted summer associate program will give you a taste of what it's like to work at a top law firm, offering real-world experience in a range of disciplines and providing many opportunities to connect with our lawyers, clients, and other summer associates. Throughout the summer, you will participate in a firmwide summer training program, as well as conferences, practice group sessions, depositions, trials and other court proceedings, labor arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and business transaction closings. Work assignments are closely monitored to ensure that you work on multiple projects with a variety of lawyers in different practice areas.

You will be partnered with mentors, oftentimes former summer associates, who help facilitate introductions to other attorneys in your office and offer advice and insight on our firm, culture, and clients. Both formal and informal feedback is provided throughout the summer.