Faegre Drinker

• “The firm provides summer associates with opportunities to engage in real client work. Summer associates receive a variety of assignments in different practice areas to decide what practice area might be a good fit. There are also training sessions throughout the summer on the different practice areas so summer associates can learn what types of work associates do in each group.”
• “The summer program struck a healthy balance of structure and autonomy. I worked on substantive assignments from the beginning, but the Recruiting Team always made sure that my work commitments did not interfere with my social commitments.”
• “The firm did an excellent job of providing us with training. We were able to hit the ground running by working on fun, substantive projects to get a feel of what life as an associate is really like.”
• “Everyone is very eager to train and expose summer associates to real assignments. Most of mine were substantive and required learning something new.”

• “The summer associate program involved several social events and other informal opportunities to engage with attorneys and staff. We usually had one scheduled social event per week. We were also encouraged to schedule coffees and lunches with attorneys. The firm attorneys were always receptive to making connections and building relationships with the summer associates.”
• “The Recruitment Team did a very good job of providing casual but fun events to summer associates. In particular, I appreciated the variety of events planned that were accessible to people with different levels of social comfort.”
• “The firm had numerous social events scheduled throughout the summer. All of the events were exciting and engaging, and [they] gave us an opportunity to connect with attorneys on a more personal level. [In] the summer associate class, we developed an amazing relationship with one another. All of the 2Ls returned to the firm, and we have a great relationship with one another both inside and outside the firm.”
• “Rooftop bars, indoor putt-putt, baseball games, museum tours, sailing. Lunch catered at least one day a week to draw folks into the office to meet the summer associates. Attorneys and non-attorney professionals strongly encouraged to be in-office during the summer program to socialize with the summer associates. Plenty of social opportunities for the summer associates but not an overwhelming amount. We don't want summer associates to be burdened by social events. We appreciate that it's still their summer break from law school.”

• Summer associate programs, in general, are often not an accurate experience of the amount of hours worked as a full-time associate. However, the summer associate program, through work assignments and networking opportunities, allowed me to meet with multiple attorneys and get an idea of the work of each practice group and what I could expect as an associate.”
• “I think the summer program did a fairly good job of setting reasonable expectations for what the practice of law would be like at the firm. The recruitment leads were frank and honest about the demands of the job but also were enthusiastic about the opportunities that working at the firm presents.”
• “I experienced no difference between the work and expectation of being a summer associate and being a first-year associate. I felt well prepared and supported by associates, partners, and staff at Faegre Drinker during the transition from student to practicing attorney.”
• “I don't think I realized how much independence comes with being a first-year associate. I was under the impression that the work would find you naturally, and some of it does, but I didn't realize how much I had to advocate for myself and reach out to people for work.”

• “My favorite part of the summer program was not a specific event but the weekly firm-sponsored softball games, which provided a stress-free environment for getting to know other summer associates and attorneys from across the firm.”
• “Candle-making session, AAA baseball game, and partner dinner.”
• “We had a very fun summer associate summit in another city that brought all of the summer associates across the country together.”
• “Weekly firm lawyer-league softball games; cooking class.”

Engaging work and supportive mentors make Faegre Drinker an ideal first—and hopefully last—place for law students to work. Beginning with our summer associate program, we provide support and training to help law students and new lawyers build the skills and behaviors to grow a sophisticated legal practice and develop rewarding client relationships. Summer associates receive a hands-on, meaningful experience. We encourage growth with challenging work, intensive professional development programs, personalized mentoring and coaching, and respectful yet candid feedback. We have a full-time legal writing coach and advisor who provides individual writing guidance to summer associates. Summer associates can participate in pro bono work and connect with peers and our lawyers throughout the summer.