Greenberg Traurig, LLP

• “I enjoyed the assignment pool system as opposed to rotations so you could eliminate groups you weren't as interested in after getting exposure and focus on what you were.”
• “We had about one week of training, mostly dealing with learning the technology (word, comparing docs, etc.). The summer associate position offered many wonderful opportunities to handle substantive assignments in different areas of real estate law (leasing, purchase and sale, loans, etc.).”
• “I received substantive work assignments with the appropriate level of autonomy and directions. I was able to participate in active and ongoing matters in my desired practice area. The firm provided many mandatory trainings that prepared me for the work assignments and for my eventual transition to a full-time associate. The firm also provided many supplemental trainings that greatly improved my skills as a practicing attorney.”
• “I was given substantive work and, in some cases, even felt like an integrated member of the team. I was given opportunities to work with many different groups/teams and get a feel for the differences between them (both the social dynamics and the types of work they do).”

• “It seemed typical of experiences that I heard about from peers at law school who attended summer associate programs at other firms: usually one big social event a week, such as going to baseball game, cooking or painting, bowling, etc. I was taken out to lunches with folks ranging from other associates to senior partners at the firm, etc., several times a week.”
• “All great! And deeply appreciated the message that there isn't pressure to drink.”
• “Social events were well-planned and enjoyable, with a wide variety of activities. I was able to interact with a large number of attorneys from multiple practice groups who were eager to answer questions and get to know us. I was, and still am, very good friends with several from my summer associate class. There was no amount of competition between summer associates because they recruit with the intent of giving everyone an offer at the end of the year. My favorite summer associate event was Whirly Ball, a strange Midwest sport that I learned that summer.”
• “I enjoyed the firm's summer associate program including the social events. It was an additional way to interact with firm attorneys. There was participation across the board: Partners and associates would attend the events. My favorite summer event was a salsa dancing class and a cooking class.”

• “My experience at the firm thus far aligns with the expectations I had when I was a summer associate. I have been pleasantly surprised by how well I've been integrated onto cases as a first-year associate.”
• “I was not expecting the approachability of partners in such a high-stress profession. They took the time to check in and make sure everything was going well.”
• “I was pleasantly surprised about the substantive work that I have been doing. I feel very included and that my work contributions are truly valuable to the overall result. However, I was disappointed to hear about the bonus structure. I was under the impression that associates would receive market salary and bonus, but the bonus in this office is discretionary and black box (based on our billable hours), even for a first year. The bonus structure is frustrating to most associates because we have no idea how much we can expect at the end of the year, which may end up disappointing if we exceed the requirement (which most associates do).”
• “Honestly my experience has been much of what I expected, as the summer gave me a good look at what the first-years handle day in and day out. Not too many surprises, other than how quickly I am learning.”

An important goal of the program is to help summer associates with the transition from law student to practicing lawyers and future leaders by including them on client matters. We look for attorneys who have an entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, willingness to assume responsibility, and leadership skills. Components of the program include corporate deal simulation; exposure to innovative technology; conflict resolution training; litigation training, such as oral advocacy presentation; visit to appeals court and Q&A session with a judge; and firsthand exposure to in-house counsel and their interaction with law firms. We are proud that several firm leaders started their careers as summer associates at the firm.