Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

• “We had a lot of trainings oriented towards discovering the different practice groups and their work in addition to lunch training organized by the practice groups themselves. We could work in any practice group we wanted and were included in the teams.”
• “We received a good number of assignments so we were able to get a taste of what the kind of work we eventually would be doing was like, but we also were not drowning in work and were able to enjoy the summer program activities.”
• “I was tasked with very substantive assignments including research, drafting memos, and drafting client updates. The assignments I were brought in on were described in great detail, allowing me a full understanding of the larger matter.”
• “I was included on teams and given meaningful assignments while not being overburdened. Training sessions were frequent and informative.”

• “I had a great experience. Firm attorneys were consistently friendly, kind, welcoming, and enthusiastic to speak with me. I had a great connection with my fellow summer associates. I enjoyed many of our summer events, including attending Yankees and Mets games and enjoying dinner at a partner's home along with other summer associates and full-time associates. My favorite may have been a firmwide event at the Central Park Zoo, which provided a great environment to speak with many associates and partners and even meet people's families. It was a warm, welcoming environment.”
• “We went to lunches and dinners often with associates and partners. Our summer associate class in DC was relatively small, but we were very close and had the opportunity to meet many people. The partners hosted a variety of summer events to welcome us, and the firm overall was generous in providing us transportation and hotel rooms to attend the events at the NYC office, as well. My favorite event was the event at the zoo in NYC.”
• “We had on average two or three events organized by the firm per week, and in addition, associates would organize outings paid for by the firm, such as workout classes, shows, nail salon, etc. (and lunches). As summers we got to know each other and a lot of people became good friends.”
• “There were lots of opportunity for interaction with partners and associates, both via the formal advising program and otherwise. Summer associates were located in case rooms, which helped foster camaraderie. Towards the end of the summer, groups of associates were invited to dinner at partners' homes, and that was my favorite event.”

• “My experience aligns closely with the expectations I had as a summer. If anything, I feel like I've been given more substantive work/responsibility as a first year than I expected. I also never feel nervous to email/call/work directly with partners or senior lawyers, which was something I noticed and really valued as a summer.”
• “If you go into corporate practice, you are not able to decide which practice area you go into, and you get randomly placed into one. However, you are able to rotate to a second group after a year, which leaves you with great experience in two different groups after two years. I believe this method helps make an associate more valuable to a team as they can offer different perspectives and also gives you a chance to try out an area you might not have thought of before.”
• “I didn't expect everyone to remain as patient and kind when I returned as a full-time associate since the honeymoon period of being a summer associate was now over but was pleasantly surprised when everyone was. As it turns out, that really is the culture of the firm, and everything I'd read online about that and experienced through my interactions with others was true.”
• “Overall, my expectations have matched the reality of life at Debevoise. I was given much more substantive work than I expected early on (which, while great for my professional development, was sometimes stressful!). The only thing that was oversold was the idea of a staffing partner in each group who allocates work based on availability. While this exists, in reality, the staffing process is very opaque.”

During your summer, we will introduce you to the firm—to Debevoise partners, counsel, and associates, your summer colleagues, and the practice of law. Summer associates are involved in substantive client work from the outset, and our summer program offers the flexibility to explore different practice areas or focus on just one. You’ll be invited to participate in firm training programs and attend department and practice lunches alongside Debevoise attorneys discussing substantive developments and exchanging insights about issues affecting our clients. Programs cover topics such as the fundamentals of negotiation, developing a core theory for litigation, a workshop on effective legal writing, and Private Equity Funds 101. The summer program also offers exposure to our pro bono program and information about the opportunities to get involved. Organized social events introduce summer associates to New York, to each other, and to lawyers within the firm. In prior summers, these have included an evening at the Central Park Zoo, sporting and cultural events, and pro bono benefits and activities.