Winston & Strawn LLP

• “We got to work with a wide range of attorneys and were encouraged to take assignments from any and all practice groups. The assignments were pretty much the kinds of things a first-year associate might do.
• “The trainings were useful and interactive. The work assignments were substantive and felt meaningful, and they were used effectively as learning tools.”
• “As a summer associate, I had 8-10 work assignments, and there were multiple trainings each week. I had the opportunity to work on both litigation and corporate assignments. The assignments were, most importantly, excellent opportunities to meet associates throughout the firm and gain some insight into the different types of projects people work on at the firm.”
• “You get real, substantive work that needs to be done. There are no made-up projects to keep you busy.”

• “The social events were well-attended and high-energy. The summer associates all got along really well, and we all also got along great with the associates one to three years above us, who we interacted with frequently. The events were always fun and felt laid-back while still professional. We all got along so well that we planned events on our own and hung out with one another outside of firm-sponsored programming.”
• “The social aspects of the firm's summer associate program were fantastic. Associates were eager to meet summer associates and take them to lunches throughout the downtown area. There were multiple happy hours and work events that we summers looked forward to throughout. When I emailed associates and partners to ask if they had availability for lunch or coffee, I was never ignored and always felt valued.”
• “The summer events were coordinated well. Enough attorneys showed up to make the events useful for getting to know everyone. They were fun and inventive.”
• “The social events were fantastic and well-attended. Weekly, there was something planned by the firm. Whether it was bowling, a [sports] game, a boat cruise, or poker night, there were fun events to mingle with attorneys and other summer associates.”

• “When I was a summer associate, after hearing stories from my friends at other BigLaw firms, I expected to not learn anything over the summer, as it was more of an onboarding experience. However, Winston not only created an environment where I felt included, I also was given substantive work that I was able to learn from. Additionally, I thought that I would never work with partners, but Winston’s model creates a great work environment giving young attorneys exposure to decision-making partners and truly makes you feel like part of the team.”
• “I think it all comports with what I was told. You can't really feel out what life as an associate is going to be until you're actually doing it. And even then, it changes based on the type of work you're doing and who you're doing it for. But the summer program is a great way to see how everyone interacts and get a feel for what it's like as an associate.”
• “Met or exceeded expectations. Pleasantly surprised at the level of work being given so early on and the level of client interaction I'm already having.”
• “Nothing has been surprising. Summering here for two years helped give me a broad experience, which has felt to be very much the case in actual practice as a first year. If you want to work with a particular partner or team, you voice that wish, and when it’s practicable, you are included. Partners are behind the scenes thinking of how to staff and do remember when you express interest.”

• “The boat cruise to watch fireworks was my favorite event because it was our last official summer event, and everyone was so comfortable with each other at that point. It was a really fun way to end the summer program.”
• “A summer event in the One World Observatory.”
• “I really like the Astros games, but there have been a bunch of fun ones including cooking classes, dinners at lawyers' homes, Dynamo games, and others.”
• “In-person happy hours, remote paint night.”

Law students who join Winston & Strawn’s summer associate program have the opportunity to work on a wide variety of corporate and litigation projects with outstanding attorneys who are welcoming, kind, and genuinely invested in their professional growth and happiness.

Winston’s greatest strength is our people, and we support them throughout their careers. Winston University, a world-class series of legal and professional skills-training programs, is the centerpiece of the firm’s learning culture. Our formal mentoring program helps entry-level attorneys begin their careers with confidence, and our full-time Director of Coaching & Well-Being provides targeted support for career, performance, and wellness goals.

Winston has embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of the firm. Affinity groups for Black, Latinx, Asian, LGBTQ+, MENA, first-gen professionals, and women attorneys play a critical role in the hiring, advancement, retention, and promotion of diverse lawyers throughout the firm. The firm also has affinity groups for attorneys who identify as having a disability and for veterans and active-duty service members. The firm’sFamily Network affinity group is open to parents and caregivers as well as those supporting an aging family member.

Active engagement in pro bono and within the communities where we work is a hallmark of Winston. Our summer associates have the opportunity to work on impactful pro bono matters and participate in Winston for Good volunteer activities.