Bracewell

 

• “My work assignments were interesting and substantive. They were representative of the type of work I have been doing as a junior associate at the firm. I had the opportunity to work with many different partners and take part in both formal and informal training and mentoring opportunities.”
• “Very substantive, hands-on work equivalent to what you would do as a first-year associate. You have the opportunity to rotate through several groups to see what you might like to do, and you get the impression that your summer mentors are investing in your long-term career from day one.”
• “The assignments were driven not by the summer program but by the needs of the case for the practice groups I rotated through during my summer—meaning they were substantive, necessary work for the betterment of the case and our client's position. The assigning attorney would spend the necessary time to ensure I understood the case posture, necessary background information, and the intended work product.”
• “Work assignments as a summer are shockingly substantive. It's typically a blend of review/research and non-billable assignments that associates pass to summers.”

 

 

• “I think Bracewell has the best summer social events of any firm, certainly in Texas. Attendance is very strong—most associates and a strong sampling of partners attend every event, and the environment is laid-back enough to encourage you to forge friendships rather than feeling like you're always at a ‘capital-w’ Work event.”
• “The firm makes every effort to provide opportunities to engage with attorneys from throughout the firm, regardless of practice groups. And the events serve as a strong foundation for the development of genuine bonds and camaraderie among the summer associates in the class.”
• “Bracewell does an amazing job of making the firm feel familial. It was very clear from the start of my experience at Bracewell that everyone enjoyed the people they worked with. There were genuine relationships being formed between the associates, the partners, the admin, and the summers. There were so many opportunities to meet and get to know the people of Bracewell. Everyone was so welcoming.”
• “There are usually two to three after-work social events a week. These events usually include activities like pickleball, trivia, and typical happy hours. The events are usually well-attended by firm attorneys. We also generally have two to three summer associate and firm attorney lunches every week. From my experience, camaraderie among summer associates is great. They all usually get along and enjoy socializing and going to events together.”

 

 

• “Compared to my expectations as a summer associate, there weren't really any major differences now that I am a practicing attorney. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the level of responsibility and ownership of projects that I received as a junior associate. I felt like I had control over my assignments, which I enjoyed (and still enjoy).”
• “I got a very realistic summer experience handling real work and working with associates and partners on projects. I felt very prepared to take on assignments and hit the ground running as a first year. I was not made any promises that do not comport with reality.”
• “I think the summer program was a very realistic representation of what life would be like as a first-year associate. Junior associates were very forthcoming over the summer when asked about their lives and adjusting to the BigLaw life. There is still a very friendly and social feel at the firm; it was not a facade put on over the summer.”
• “I have been pleasantly surprised with how similar the summer assignments were to the assignments I receive as a first-year associate.”

 

• “Firmwide retreat in Austin, pickleball, Astros game, darts.”
• “Our summer retreat is one of the best events of the summer. The entire firm is invited to Austin, TX, where attorneys from all offices are able to meet each other and hang out in a more casual setting outside of the office. This was such a great way to meet people and get to them when work is not the main topic of discussion.”
• “The all-associate cookout. It's a great chance to interact with your future peers without concerns of putting on a show for partners.”
• “My favorite summer event was a sand-volleyball event at a bar with sand-volleyball courts.”

Bracewell is the ideal place to launch your legal career. Our open and collaborative culture ensures that you have the opportunity to work on significant matters and have meaningful connections with lawyers from the moment you join. Summer associates attend hearings, depositions, trials, negotiations and client meetings. They hone their writing skills by helping research and draft agreements, briefs, articles and blog posts. When not working, summer associates have the opportunity to explore their local communities and get to know our lawyers through social events and our two-day offsite summer associate retreat.