2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER O'Melveny & Myers LLP

• “O'Melveny treats its summer associates as if they are first-year associates, giving them substantive work assignments and allowing them to get a feel for what working as an associate will be like. Unlike other firms, O'Melveny's summer program is not focused on the glitz and glamour of firm-sponsored events (though there are plenty of such over the course of the program); rather, O'Melveny provides its summer associates with the tools they need (through training and work assignments) to ensure that BigLaw is right for them and that they are right for the firm.”
• “We received training during the summer associate program in both corporate and litigation work. We received training on the firm’s tools and how the firm wanted particular tasks done. We received work from a work coordinator who assigned work based on the availability and interest of the summer associate.”
• “The firm has an excellent mix of substantive billable work and training experiences for personal development and career growth. Summer associates participate in the Advocacy Institute and a mock deal, which are both amazing training experiences to try out something new just for your own growth.”
• “I was given substantive work during my summer associateship while still being afforded free time to enjoy social activities. In addition to substantive work opportunities, my firm offered a mock trial and mock deal negotiation, which were designed to help summer associates decide between litigation and transactional/corporate work.”

• “There was a wide variety of social events during the summer associate program and ample opportunities to connect with attorneys to get to know them and their practice areas. The firm did a great job at both organizing formal events and encouraging informal meetings to provide the summer associates opportunities to get to know each other as well as the attorneys in the office.”
• “The social events for the program were enjoyable and well attended by senior attorneys. My favorite summer event was an outing to Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem.”
• “Social events are intentionally planned and genuinely fun, creating opportunities to get to know colleagues on a more personal level and to bond over shared interests outside of work hours. A highlight this past summer was the Texas summer associate retreat in Dallas, where the cohort stayed at a hotel near the Dallas office, worked through a mock deal and a mock deposition alongside attorneys, and shared group dinners, culminating in a casino night. These programs complement formal training by strengthening teamwork, communication, and cross-office integration in a relaxed setting.”
• “Social events were really fun. We had something at least every week, but the most memorable ‘big’ events were probably the Dodgers game, Disneyland, Magic Castle, and a very fancy omakase dinner. Drinking culture is not super prevalent, so if you are seeking a party-heavy experience, probably not the place for you.”

• “I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of autonomy and responsibility I have been entrusted with. I also had the opportunity to second-chair depositions in a high-stakes litigation—an experience that I thought I would get only in my third or fourth year.”
• “I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to work directly with partners, including multiple meetings where I discussed case strategy with the partners.”
• “The emphasis on mentorship is not unique to the summer program. As a first-year associate, I was surprised to find that attorneys' enthusiasm for mentorship remains very evident, with attorneys going out of their way to dedicate time to my learning.”
• “I was surprised that the people here are genuinely kind and nice to work with. They had a lot of patience to train the new associates.”

Our summer program offers an inside look at what it is like to practice at O’Melveny. During our program, summer associates work on major cases and deals, support ongoing pro bono matters, and participate in social events to get to know each other and O’Melveny attorneys and staff. Summer associates also have opportunities to attend practice group presentations, participate in targeted trainings, and hone negotiation and oral argument skills as part of our Mock Deal and Advocacy Institute development programs. Our work coordination system ensures that summer associates are exposed to a variety of practice areas and given opportunities to join attorneys for client meetings. Assigned mentors and ongoing feedback also help our summer associates develop their professional skills and make the most of their experiences.