Foley & Lardner LLP

• “Work assignments as substantive as what a first year would be expected to complete, but attorneys are committed to training associates to be able to complete the assignment.”
• “There was a specific assignment portal for first-year associates. I obtained many work assignments through the portal, which allowed me to work with many attorneys across the firm's offices. The partners and associates in my office also made an effort to see me in person if they had work assignments to provide me. On the topic of trainings, the firm provided in-depth trainings on a number of software programs, which I have started to use in my first year too. This makes the summer trainings feel more important because they are training the summer associates on using applications that will continue to be used if returning to the firm.”
• “Foley & Lardner provides a work allocation system that permits summer associates to choose from a wide variety of projects assigned by attorneys throughout various offices. I was encouraged to take on projects from various practice groups. Summer associates are also provided a project coordinator, an associate mentor, and a partner mentor on day one. I felt supported throughout the entire summer and had weekly meetings with my project coordinator, who ensured I had an adequate amount of work and was receiving feedback on my work product.”
• “The summer associate program allowed attendance at any associate firmwide training programs scheduled over the summer, in addition to trainings held specifically for summer associates. Substantive work was provided in person from local attorneys and from attorneys at other offices, and assignments could be selected off of an open assignment board if there was one in your practice area or of interest.”

• “The firm did a great job with the social events. The turnouts were always great, with many partners and associates from the firm being present, allowing networking and fellowship. The best summer events included a boat cruise on the Chicago River and backpack stuffing for the Boys & Girls Club.”
• “As with the legal profession, networking is key. Foley & Lardner offers significant opportunities to network with attorneys inside and outside your practice area. There are a handful of events that are hosted, but it is not an overwhelming number of events where you feel like you are working a full-time job and then also having to stay for a three-hour event afterwards. Outside structured events, Foley & Lardner gives you ample time in your schedule to shadow calls, ask questions, and also schedule times to have coffee or lunch with attorneys.”
• “The summer program was rich with social opportunities that made it easy to connect with attorneys and fellow summer associates. The firm organized a variety of events that struck a great balance between fun and meaningful interaction. Highlights included happy hours, a painting class where we got to unleash our creative sides, a scenic wine tour that doubled as a bonding experience, and countless lunches and dinners that gave us time to engage in relaxed conversation.”
• “There were several all-attorney/officewide events that allowed us to really get to know everyone over the summer.”

• “I have been pleasantly surprised with how quickly the attorneys have welcomed me back into the office and made me feel like I am part of the community. I was surprised by how slowly the ramp-up period seems to be based on how quickly you gain assignments as a summer attorney. Ultimately, this also relies on the work coming in for the partners and other associates, so it is not entirely in their control.”
• “I have been pleasantly surprised with how similar the work is from being a summer to a first year; however, there is less time and energy to really sit down and ‘walk through’ projects. Feedback is really a self-taught mechanism, and that is a steep learning curve.”
• “Transitioning from summer associate to full-time associate brought both expected and surprising elements. One of the biggest differences was the pace and volume of work. As a summer, assignments were curated and spaced out to allow learning and exploration. [For] a full-time associate, the workflow is more dynamic and fast-paced—but also more rewarding. I’ve found myself quickly gaining confidence and responsibility.”
• “It feels like the work allocation systems were more fulsome [when I was] a summer associate. Having something similar to the work project portal would help with the ramp-up during the first year.”

For more than 180 years, we have deeply committed ourselves to offering law students an environment rooted in integrity, camaraderie, thought leadership, innovation, diversity, stewardship, and professional satisfaction. Our summer associate program strikes a balance between substantive work experience, opportunities for professional development, and social activities in and around the cities where we host summer programs. Our popular Foley Academy training program is designed to provide practical pointers not necessarily covered in the law school curriculum and is aimed at positioning our summer associates for a successful and rewarding career. The summer program includes a signature multiday retreat that brings together summer associates from across the country for an immersive experience focused on connection, leadership engagement, and a deeper introduction to Foley’s vision, strategy, and culture. Beyond the retreat, our summer program includes a variety of social events such as baseball games, paint-and-sip gatherings, cooking classes, and community engagement activities—such as those supporting our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America—that offer fun, purposeful ways to connect with others and give back throughout the summer.