Vedder

• “Vedder Price did a wonderful job scheduling events that all the summer associates from all across the U.S. were a part of. They did in-person orientation where we all got to meet each other. I truly believe that because of this in person orientation, there was a greater level of cohesiveness with our associate class. We all still communicate with each other and check in!”
• “I was given a couple long-term, substantive projects to work on throughout the summer as well as smaller projects with faster turn-around times. This combination worked well, kept me engaged, and ensured I almost always had something to keep me busy. There were many training sessions throughout the summer that covered virtually all technology platforms and resources utilized by the firm.”
• “As summers, we were regularly invited to participate in firmwide trainings for full-time attorneys. The work assignments were actual first-year associate assignments that actually were applied to client matters, and I was able to witness the fruit of that work in the client's cases that were assisted by it.”
• “I was given good training videos to watch, included in cases that related to my interest, and participated in a very helpful mentorship program. I was given a lot of guidance and feedback about my work.”

• “The summer program starts with all summer associates going through orientation in the firm's Chicago headquarters; this was an excellent way to start. The LA associates and NY associates had time to bond when the Chicago associates had Chicago-specific activities. The camaraderie is maintained even now. ... Back in NY, we had great events. as well. I loved the dinners, and we had a memorable axe-throwing event which was a lot of fun.”
• “There is a social event every week. Lunches frequently with attorneys. The summer associate class is small in the LA office, but everyone is close. Favorite events include axe-throwing, scavenger hunts, private exclusive dinner at the Beverly Hills Wine & Cheese Store, outdoor movie nights, and more. We start with the orientation in Chicago for all summer associates to attend, which is the obvious highlight.”
• “There was at least one social event after the workday and at least two lunches outside of the office per week. My favorite event was a baseball game. There were many occasions where I spontaneously socialized with associates and partners and, overall, felt that all the staff invested a lot of time in getting to know the summers.”

• “While as a summer associate, I received assignments from a wide array of subgroups, and I tended to get most of my assignments from only a few partners once I joined as a first year. However, this was represented during my summer as a normal dynamic.”
• “I have been given more substantive assignments, which I have really enjoyed. I like that I am being given more responsibility and being given the opportunity to grow as an attorney. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the office dynamics are here.”
• “My experience practicing at Vedder Price aligned well with the expectations I had after my time as a summer associate. Even as a summer, I was given real responsibilities and had the opportunity to work on a number of substantive assignments. Accordingly, I expected that I would be given lots of responsibility early on as an associate, and this has turned out to be true.”
• “Work-life balance did not seem like it would be an issue during the summer program but is certainly a concern in practice. Although I think that's an industry-wide concern. VP is probably better in this regard than many other firms, but there are still quite a few late nights in my practice area. Probably the biggest positive surprise was the natural mentoring that takes place. There is a more-senior associate and a shareholder who have both become mentor figures to me at this point in my career, and I'm very appreciative for the opportunity to learn from them.”

Summer associates at Vedder are integrated quickly into the practice area they are joining through substantive work assignments, observation opportunities, and training sessions. Summer associates work with an assigned associate advisor to receive practical advice and guidance. A firmwide summer program orientation is hosted in our Chicago office for the full summer class to meet each other and engage with firm management. There are two formal review sessions, one at mid-summer and the other at the completion of the program, incorporating written attorney feedback regarding each completed project. Social events are frequent, both office-wide and in small groups, to ensure summer associates enjoy the collegiality of the firm. We stay in touch with our summer associates throughout their final year of law school to ensure they will experience a seamless return to the firm after graduation as members of our first-year associate class.