BCLP

• “It was a 10-week rotational program: 3 weeks litigation, 3 weeks corporate, and 4 weeks to choose whatever group you want to get work from. The work assignments were substantive, and we worked full 40-hour weeks. I learned so much, and it ultimately helped me decide which practice group I wanted to join.”
• “I received assignments from all practice groups. Within a reasonable amount of time, I received detailed feedback, usually including an in-person interaction, from the assigning attorney. I felt like I received actual important lawyering assignments.”
• “I think there was a good effort to provide substantive assignments to summer associates, and most assignments were appropriate for a summer associate. The work assignments never took an extremely long time, which allowed for a variety of experiences.”
• “BCLP's summer program is well-designed and provides insight into each practice area at the firm and experience with projects in each practice area. The assignments were nonrepetitive and nontrivial. Valuable feedback was given for each assignment. There is also significant training on work outreach and managing workflow.”

• “Partners, counsel, associates, and staff would all attend the weekly summer events. The firm was invested in our personal development and really showed their care for each of us individually. My favorite summer event was dinner at the Missouri Botanical Gardens with the firm's leaders. Everyone was invited to bring their partners, and we took time to get to know each other against a beautiful backdrop of the gardens and a lovely dinner.”
• “There was about one event a week that varied from happy hour to a more coordinated off-site event like pizza-making or karaoke. The energy from attorneys was great, and I felt very welcomed. It was not an overwhelming amount of socializing.”
• “There were many social events, and I felt I was able to meet the majority of attorneys at the St. Louis office. Everyone was very enthusiastic. One of my favorite events was dinner at a partner's house. It was intimate and friendly. Another highlight was an event at a local arcade. It was great to get to know the other summer associates (and attorneys at the firm) in a laid-back, fun atmosphere. There's no better bonding exercise than playing Mario Kart.”
• “The summer associate events are well-attended, and partners take a keen interest in the summer associate program. The end-of-summer karaoke event is always popular and always memorable.”

• “Summer projects were often research-focused, whereas now the bulk of my work is drafting. I understand why the firm would not have a summer associate draft client documents, but my day-to-day now vs. the summer is significantly different. However, it is nice to be given more responsibility, and I do not feel like I'm doing ‘grunt work.’”
• “Being a full-time associate requires more self-starting than being a summer associate. The summer associate program has structured work to expose you to a range of partners and projects. Being a full-time associate requires you to take a more active role in getting your own work.”
• “The free market system is consistent throughout. Practice group placement as a full-time associate is based on a mix of survey responses and need. The summer program is somewhat informal but representative of your actual career at the firm. It is designed to expose you to as many people and practice areas as possible. The work is substantive and in line with that of a first- or second-year associate. There is a centralized assignment system, but it is rarely used. Partners consider summer associates to be valued members of the team when giving out assignments.”
• “I am now solely receiving work [in one practice area] as opposed to work from a variety of practice groups. I have been pleasantly surprised to see that my interactions in the firm have not been limited to [this one practice area]. It is a very friendly environment where there is cross-department communication.”

BCLP’s U.S. Summer Program provides summer associates with a real-world junior associate experience working in a team environment. Summer associates engage in substantive, challenging work that allows them the freedom to test their skills through projects across various practice areas and working with a mix of partners and associates. The program allows summer associates to learn about the firm’s core values, provides formal and informal training, and feedback including a formal review process. Expectations are realistic, and our summer associates are provided with many opportunities to shadow attorneys, including attending client meetings, depositions, hearings, oral arguments, board meetings, and much more. BCLP sponsors a variety of cultural, educational, volunteer, and recreational activities throughout the program to give our summer associates ample opportunities to interact with our colleagues. For many, getting to know our people is the best part of the summer experience.