Kilpatrick Townsend

Training & Assignments

• “Work assignments were generally substantive and reflective of actual work done as an associate/law clerk, though very focused on research tasks. Partners and supervising associates also often provided opportunities to interact with and present work to clients and other partners directly.”
• “As a summer associate, I handled only substantive matters in my area of practice. I also attended client meetings and had direct interaction with clients. I even had an opportunity to present a project I worked on to a client (a major tech company). I worked directly with partners.”
• “As a summer associate, I worked on projects that were nearly identical to the work I am doing as a first-year associate. I felt like senior associates and partners alike took an interest in my learning, and made sure I walked away from each project having learned something new.”

Social Opportunities

• “The firm provided many opportunities to socialize both in-office and at outside locations with members of the firm across all practice areas. Various events were also provided to build relationships between the summer associates.”
• “The firm does a good job at putting together a great summer class. I really enjoyed getting to know the other summer associates. At every social event, the attorneys made an effort to get to know the summers and make connections. All events that attorneys were invited to were well attended.”
• “The people I summered with are still some of my best friends, even though we are now all spread out across the east coast. Every summer event was fun and thoughtfully catered to our expressed hobbies and interests. I even had a senior associate take me axe-throwing on her own dime because I said it was on my bucket list of things to try.”

Associate Experience vs. Summer Expectations

• “My experience as an attorney at the firm has not differed from my expectations. The firm's summer program and the advice and mentorship I received from attorneys during it really prepared me for what life at the firm is like.”
• “My experience as a summer was nearly analogous to my life as an associate other than the amount of work and responsibility I have now.”
• “As I presume is often the case, while the summer program provided exposure to real projects and legal challenges, it fails to provide much of the context of what full time employment is like. In particular, it failed to expose summer associates to the day-to-day challenges of managing a complex docket, or how to manage time and billing expectations.”

Favorite Summer Events

• “The firm held an event in San Diego for all summer associates across the country. The event included both social activities and career development seminars, which provided both social opportunities to build new connections as well as to develop valuable professional skills.”
• “My favorite event was the firm talent show.”
• “Kayaking, park scavenger hunt, and virtual game night.”

Our Summer Associate Program provides students the opportunity to do substantive work in a variety of practice areas. Summer Associates rotate among teams to acquire new skills and gain invaluable legal experience. Summer Associates also participate in three progress evaluations to review attorney feedback on their work product. Each office has a Summer Committee made up of attorneys who will serve as guides and mentors for the course of the program.