2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE PREMIUM SPONSOR Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

• “The work we were assigned as summers was substantive. We were able to try different practice areas, working across multiple practice areas at one time (not rotational). The training was really great. All of the firm attorneys took time to meet and explain the matters to us. I was given background information and market news to read about matters before I met with firm attorneys.”
• “I received substantive work assignments across a wide variety of practice areas, not busy work, and felt that I made meaningful contributions to the matters on which I worked. On every matter and assignment, every lawyer with which I worked made time for me: I also felt well-equipped to tackle the assignments that were given to me, and I always had someone to go to with any questions that arose.”
• “I had the opportunity to do substantive work on real cases, which I really appreciated: I was able to get a realistic sense of what my full-time work would look like. Additionally, Cleary staffs each summer associate to at least one team case so that associates have the opportunity to meet a larger group and experience working on a collaborative project.”
• “I was able to work in both the DC office and in the Brussels office. In both places, I felt like I was able to get substantive work assignments and get involved in very interesting cases despite being only a summer, and the program was full of trainings and other programs to provide summers with more knowledge about various practice areas and subjects relating to our day-to-day work.”

• “… My favorite summer event was probably the retreat that we did at the Salamander resort in Virginia, which we did with the DC summer group. That was a great opportunity to get to know my fellow summers in a fun setting and share some background with each other as we performed various activities, such as ziplining, building bikes for charity, or otherwise lounging by the pool or by the campfire at night.”
• “The social events were great and there were many events. I also enjoyed our firm's mentorship program. My favorite summer event was probably the cooking competition or the Hamptons trip..”
• “The firm provided a fantastic schedule of social events to facilitate connections with other summers and firm attorneys. Favorite summer events included the team cooking event, the team scavenger hunt, and generally the after-work happy hours at the office.”
• “We have a great culture in the bay offices. Everyone always says hello and is friendly with each other. My favorite summer events were a Napa valley winery overnight retreat and our end of summer party at a partner’s house.”

• “Overall, the firm tried to show more about the reality of being an associate during the summer program, so overall my experience has not differed from my expectations. The main difference is that I never really see the other members of my class (which makes sense), which differs from the summer experience when we had events constantly. ...”
• “One thing that is certainly different between my time as a summer and now as a full-time associate is the number of resources the firm dedicates to making sure I am staffed appropriately on cases. … I have felt fully integrated within my teams and have felt that the cadence of work has been far more regular than as a summer.”
• “I am doing more substantive legal work than I thought I would be and have had better work-life balance than I thought. I also realized that Cleary has better perks than most other firms (like free snacks/meals every day, gym in the office, generous Uber policy, etc.).”
• “I have been pleasantly surprised by the mini-MBA program that runs during the first two weeks after joining the firm. This was really helpful and allowed [me] to settle in the job nicely. I have also been happy to see that the mentorship program is still in place once you join the firm. Meeting with associate and partner mentors that really care about the program has been really helpful. Workwise, I personally didn't get to choose my practice area, but people are open to you working on different matters that interest you particularly. So far, all the deals I have worked on, the staffer assigned me to them because she knew they were relevant to my interests.”

Cleary Gottlieb’s summer program gives summer associates a genuine introduction to life at the firm combining high-caliber legal work with structured training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Our work assignment system is uniquely tailored to each summer associate’s professional experience and interests, whether they choose to explore a range of practice groups, focus on a particular discipline, or contribute to the firm’s pro bono matters. Development is woven throughout the program. Formal opportunities include litigation and corporate practice seminars as well as skills development courses, while practice group presentations offer a more informal way to learn about each area of the firm and meet the lawyers who practice there. The firm also provides robust mentoring, support at every level, including guidance from partners, senior lawyers, and associates, alongside a comprehensive feedback process. Summer associates interested in broadening their experience further can apply for optional rotations in one of the firm’s international offices.