2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER Paul, Weiss

• “Work assignments were substantive and gave a great preview for what life as an associate is like. I was able to build relationships with the associates on the deal teams that I was working with.”
• “The assignments allowed me to broach a broad range of issues, including large-scale economic matters and civil rights-related work. Trainings supplemented these assignments as they helped me better grasp what a career at the firm could look like while completing complex work for diverse clients.”
• “Freedom to work in any practice area or on any particular type of assignment that you are interested in. Trainings were substantive and frequent and highly tailored to preparing summer associates for their current work and work as incoming full-time associates. Work assignments were interesting, and associates and partners were extremely helpful.”
• “We were given many of the same trainings as first-year associates. We were also given substantive work—some of my work actually wound up being sent outside the firm after adequate review.”

• “Lots of social events–I got very close with people in my summer class, and they are still my friends to this day.”
• “Frequent social events, including lunches during the work week, scavenger hunts, happy hours, sporting events, and museum events. Additionally, associates/partners organized their own social events, such as Broadway show nights, pizza tours, and dinners. Firm attorneys were friendly and excited by the summer associate presence in the office. Camaraderie amongst the class was great.”
• “The summer associate program is outstanding. There are multiple events almost every week that allow you to form connections with not only members of your fellow summer class but also associates throughout the firm and all practice groups.”
• “The attorneys, even while swamped with work, made time for me. I attended several lunches, events, and coffee chats, which demonstrated the firm's social and vibrant demeanor—its hallmark.”

• “I think that the expectations have been met. I think that in no instance is the summer program as fulsome as the practice once full time, but all that we were told was true.”
• “The summer experience prepared me for the firm’s work but not really the culture since we were remote [during COVID]. Everyone has been nicer, more interested in me, and more supportive than I expected. The culture is very supportive.”
• “I think this is probably a universal experience, but the summer associate experience doesn't really prepare you for the work-life balance or workload of life as a full-time associate. You can discuss this with full-time associates during your summer program ... I was pleased with my ability to end up rotating into the practice area I spent the most time in as a summer associate, and I have been able to work with many of the same people who I did when I summered.”

• “We had an event at [an iconic NYC museum] that was firmwide, which was really fun, and I got to talk to a lot of different people.”
• “Wine tasting!”
• “My favorite summer event was the ‘Hamilton’ end-of-year event.”

Our summer associates are part of deal teams and case teams from day one, giving them the opportunity to experience our fast-paced, team-oriented work environment and introducing them to life at one of the world’s most prestigious law firms. They gain unparalleled experience working alongside nationally leading lawyers on complex, important matters for the biggest names in the business world—and get the chance to interact with clients in meetings, fireside chats, and more. Summer associates shape their own experience by working with one department or exploring a variety of practice areas. We offer comprehensive training, and each summer associate is assigned a partner and associate mentor, who guide them in their work and help them make connections across the firm. We welcome motivated, talented law students who want to achieve the highest level of excellence in lawyering.