Williams & Connolly LLP

• “Summer associates are treated as full members of the case teams and given substantive work assignments.”
• “I was given the opportunity to complete substantive legal work that I felt was valued by case teams and impactful to the needs of the cases. I was assigned partner and associate mentors that were helpful both socially and for work-related advice and mentorship. I was assigned work initially, but I was also able to pick up work that I was interested in.”
• “Fantastic program. Opportunities to learn about the firm, types of work at the firm, interactions with attorneys, and bonding with other summer associates. A sufficient amount of substantive work balanced with observing the work attorneys at the firm do.”
• “The summer associate work was basically akin to what I’m doing as a first year (though as a summer, I typically only had one assignment at a time). I drafted a motion to dismiss, for example, and the partner who assigned it provided valuable feedback on my writing.”

• “I enjoyed participating on the firm's softball and soccer teams. There were also regular events aimed at helping the summer associates meet a variety of people in the firm.”
• “Lots of varied social events but also freedom to choose your own adventure with small-group lunches dinners with partners and associates. Firm events are well-attended by associates and even partners.”
• “The firm offered at least one or two social activities every week, and many summer associates had dinner plans throughout the week with various partners and associates. The summer associates were close because of the frequency of social events and the smaller size. My favorite summer event was the cruise we did on the Potomac River.”
• “All of the firm events were inclusive, well-attended, and fun. We had a range of events, some involving food and alcohol (but not all) and some involving athletic activities. There were also a number of intimate events at partners' houses. There were also informal events, like dinners and lunches, that summer associates had free rein to create themselves.”

• “My experience has been in line with my expectations I had when I was a summer associate. I feel that attorneys were transparent about their experiences when I talked to them as a summer.”
• “My experience as a full-time associate has entirely aligned with my summer experience. Of course, different partners have different expectations, but generally, everyone expects you to be ready to go as soon as you arrive (while still giving you the grace to ask questions). I was asked to take a deposition a month after being barred.”
• “Very little. Attorneys at the firm were up-front with summer associates about the level of work that is expected of attorneys. Plus, even as practicing attorneys, we still find time to do fun things.”
• “Has met all expectations. Is actually more flexible than I thought. They treat us like adults.”

Our program aims to integrate summer associates into the firm, so they are exposed to a range of work that the firm handles and have the opportunity to work with multiple partners and case teams. Summer projects are assigned across all subject areas, and summer associates can request assignments in practice areas of interest. Projects include traditional research and writing, as well as observational opportunities at court proceedings, depositions, and meetings. Because there are usually a number of trials happening during the summer, summer associates sometimes work with trial teams. We also host presentations about subjects such as various attorneys’ practices, the firm’s history, and our noteworthy cases. While we have a robust social calendar, all summer events are optional so that summers have the flexibility to get better acquainted with each other and their firm colleagues.