2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Haynes and Boone, LLP

• “Our summer program is designed to give you substantive, client-facing work that mirrors the experience of a first-year associate. Assignments are sourced through a centralized staffing coordinator who monitors capacity and interests to ensure a balanced workload across practice groups, with the flexibility for you to self-select projects where you have a particular interest.”
• “From the moment I started, I was asked what work I wanted to work on that summer. I told them what I wanted, and they told me they would make it happen. They did make it happen; I didn't do any ‘made-up assignments.’ Everything was for real clients, and I was billed out as well.”
• “The work-related aspects of the summer program largely mirrored first-year associate work: research projects, non-billable projects, shadowing opportunities, and article-drafting opportunities. There were also opportunities to draft client-counseling language. This proved to be the most rewarding work, where real-time reflection of finalized work product provided the opportunity to see the full scope of a certain client deliverable.”
• “During my summer, I rotated through two groups. In each group, an associate and a partner were assigned to help guide me through the process and provide me with substantive projects.”

• "I found the social aspect of the summer program in my office to be perfect for me. There was at least one event weekly, typically a meal or a group event like trivia, but I never felt pressured to  stay out late or consume alcohol. People in the office value time with their families, so there were often events during the day to allow for people to not always have their evenings consumed by summer associate events; this I really appreciated.”
• “There were events in NYC and Dallas almost every night of the summer. The firm flew all the Northeast summer associates to Dallas for a weekend and then all the other summer associates to NYC for a week. It was a ball. We went to Broadway shows, cruises, cooking classes, volunteering, mini golf etc. The firm scheduled lunch with every partner and associate in the office. I met everyone more than once. It was great for integration and starting as a first-year.”
• “Haynes Boone always has a variety of social events, with a variety of audiences (e.g., just associates, associates and partners). There was never pressure to participate in activities (e.g., pickleball), but appearance at the event and networking was always encouraged.”
• “The social side of the program was very well-run. There were frequent events that made it easy to get to know attorneys across practice groups, and the summer class had strong camaraderie. My favorite event was the Astros game, which felt relaxed and gave us a chance to connect outside the office.”

• “[Being a first-year associate requires] a bit more work than I expected, but it is BigLaw, so I did not come into this expecting it to be easy. I came in expecting to bill 2,000 hours and still have a life outside of the firm, and I feel like that has generally tracked.”
• “As a summer, I understood that I would have significant latitude to shape my practice. In practice, the ability to specialize is influenced by staffing needs and the rhythms of the firm’s largest matters. I have been able to move meaningfully toward the areas I expressed interest in, but it took deliberate effort, proactive networking, and patience.”
• “Less free food and fewer social events (which is a good thing). Everything else has been on par with my summer experience.”
• “The workflow distribution is somewhat different. In the summer program, the workflow is streamlined and consistently monitored. That monitorship is lost once practice begins. I've been pleasantly surprised by the interoffice camaraderie fostered by [my] office of HB. It is unlike anything else in BigLaw.”

Haynes Boone’s summer associate program reflects the firm’s collaborative culture and sophisticated, client-focused practice. We seek self-motivated law students who value teamwork, bring intellectual curiosity and are interested in building long-term careers at the firm.

Summer associates spend nine to ten weeks (depending on office) working across one or more practice areas. Each summer associate is paired with a mentor and supervising attorney, providing meaningful work assignments and direct insight into the practice of law. Summer associates also have opportunities to attend client meetings, negotiations and hearings.

Feedback is provided throughout the program, including a formal mid-summer review. In addition, summer associates participate in a variety of social events designed to build relationships and provide a well-rounded view of the firm’s culture.