Ballard Spahr

• “We received training throughout the whole summer. The firm had assignments waiting and ready to go for us when we started. We also had the opportunity to seek out work from any practice group or attorney. We had the flexibility to seek out the experiences that we each wanted.”
• “The firm provides a variety of training across different areas that are applicable to different practices, which was incredibly helpful. They also provide department specific training as well as basic training for things that we need to know as incoming first years, which I also found helpful. The work assignment system was beneficial to me because it allowed me to choose what I wanted to do with my time and to explore different areas of interest.”
• “The work is distributed through a portal, so you have the opportunity to work with attorneys in other offices. Over the summer, you are also encouraged to network with attorneys and solicit work personally. The assignments were very similar to what first-year associates would be expected to do, and other associates were very helpful in explaining what needed to be done or providing examples.”
• “I was most impressed by the breadth of opportunities available to me and partner and associate willingness to find work and give me an opportunity to work with them throughout the summer.”

• “The social events were wonderful. There was a wide variety of events, all of which were well-attended by associates and partners of the firm.”
• “I really appreciated how sparing the firm was with social events that occurred outside of work hours. There were good events, but I did not feel like I spent all of my free time with the firm over the summer. I had friends at other large firms who had no time to enjoy their summer because they were constantly attending firm events.”
• “There were many social events and a lot of opportunities to get to know attorneys at the firm. The summer associates had many opportunities to get to know each other. Overall, the environment was friendly and welcoming.”
• “The summer team at Ballard does a great job at putting together a variety of social events to allow interaction with attorneys and between summer associates. From going to a Phillies game, to a bus tour of Philadelphia when the other summer associates from the different offices visited, it was overall a great experience and allowed for both informal and formal networking. I have many favorite events from the summer, and it would be difficult to choose just one, but if I had to pick, it would be the bus tour because it was something with all offices. ...”

• “Everyone was fairly straightforward about the expectations of a first-year associate. I knew I would be required to work long hours and that I would receive a lot of feedback no matter how many times I proofread my work. I am pleasantly surprised by the tone of feedback. Every attorney I have worked with in the firm clearly wants to take any opportunity to teach the new associates, not just give reasonless edits.”
• “I think the difference is simply focusing on one practice area and the workload that begins immediately. The summer is a very casual time, whereas upon starting as an attorney the expectations are much higher.”
• “I feel like my experience as a practicing attorney has been mostly in line with what I expected when I was a summer associate. Obviously expectations are higher, and the firm isn't working to impress you anymore. I liked that as a summer associate there was a portal system where you could grab cases that most interested you. I get why that's less practical after everyone is sorted into practice groups, but I liked having a bit more freedom. While some of the matters I've worked on at the firm have been really interesting and/or felt meaningful, some have also felt like a slog.”
• “I've been pleasantly surprised by the ability to work with certain partners. Over the summer, most of my work came from senior associates who could supervise/train me on assignments. When I started, I expected more of the same. The partners here, however, are incredibly sensitive to first-year associates and provide just the same amount of explanation and training when it comes to assignments.”

The Summer Associate Program is the primary source for recruiting first-year associates at Ballard Spahr. The program provides a strong foundation of key skills, experiences, and relationships that will allow our summer associates to launch successful careers at the firm. Summer associates receive significant on-the-job training. They do meaningful work, participate in pro bono projects, develop mentor relationships with associates and partners, interface with clients, and have at their disposal a range of innovative training programs and valuable networking opportunities. They work side by side with attorneys and attend department and practice group meetings throughout the summer. A highlight of our program is the annual firmwide summer associate retreat, when summer associates from every office travel to Philadelphia for training, networking, and social events. This experience promotes the development of relationships with colleagues across all practices and office locations.