Summer Associates FAQ
Q: How many summer associates are you expecting to be in the next class?
A: We expect about 28 summer associates firm wide.
Q: What are the dates of the summer program?
A: The Womble Carlyle Summer Program usually runs 12 weeks from mid-May to the beginning of August. In 2012, the program will run from May 14 – August 3.
Q: Can I split my summer with another firm?
A: Second-year law students are allowed to split summers, but are required to stay at the firm for a minimum of 6 weeks. First-year law students are required to stay for the full 12 weeks of the program unless special permission is given on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How many summer associates receive return offers?
A: Womble Carlyle evaluates each summer associate’s work product and fit within the firm. Our hope is that everyone will receive an offer.
Q: What type of work will I get to do during the summer program?
A: The summer associates do the same type of work that the associates do. The nice part about our automated project system is that you get to "make your own program". Summer associates choose their practice groups and types of projects. As with associates, the projects have deadlines and an assigning attorney to whom the summer associates will report. The summer associates are advised of tag-along opportunities as they arise. We encourage our summer associates to attend trials, motions, depositions, client visits, practice group videoconferences, professional development events, mediations, and training sessions.
Q: When are offers extended following the summer program?
A: Verbal offers are extended within a few weeks of the last day of the summer program in August. These verbal offers are followed up by an offer letter.
Q: How long do I have to make a decision if I receive an offer?
A: Decision deadlines are set by each office and will be communicated to you upon receipt of an offer.
Q: Will I receive credit for a judicial clerkship?
A: Yes. The firm offers entry-level associates a $5,000 bonus for federal clerkships and appropriate partnership credit.
Q: What types of social events are planned for the summer?
A: Each office has its own unique social events. Past events are: comedy club, baseball, bowling, concerts, go-cart racing, practice group meetings/dinners, pool tournaments, dinners at partners’ homes, wine tasting, golf, tennis, theme parties, Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan Inn (homeless shelter), movie night, laser tag, skeet shoot, chef party, salsa dancing, poker night, softball, Hands on Atlanta Legal Service Day, and paintball.
Q: Are the social activities mandatory?
A: Summer associates are not required to attend all social events. However, the social aspect of the program enables the attorneys, staff and summer associates an opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level.
Q: Are there set work hours for summer associates?
A: Office hours are generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, there are no set hours or mandatory billing requirements for summer associates. The summer associates will know better than anyone how much time is involved in a project. Summer associates are asked to communicate any absences with the local recruiter and plan out of the office activities accordingly.
Q: What do you mean by “make your own program”?
A: The entire project and evaluation database is completely automated. Summer associates will access all projects in real time via the firm intranet. We encourage summer associates to enjoy a diverse mix of meaningful work, selected from a pool of projects. Summer associates will choose from a mix of legal research, document drafting projects, pro bono and community service activities. All summer associates are trained on the Summer Associate Project Assignment and Evaluation System during orientation. When logged onto the Summer Associate Project Assignment and Evaluation System, a summer associate can see all the current projects available and any projects that have been assigned to the summer associate. Once a summer associate identifies a project of interest, he/she should self-nominate by clicking on the project. This will cause an automatic email to be sent to the recruiter requesting assignment of the project, hence the "make your own program."
Q: How are evaluations communicated to summer associates?
A: We understand the importance of regular feedback to the professional development of summer associates. We encourage assigning attorneys to schedule a follow up meeting with the summer associate to discuss the final project in detail. Additionally, every three to four weeks throughout the summer, each summer associate will be a part of a project review. Work product will be discussed and constructive criticism offered for future work.
Q: What types of training can I expect?
A: All summer associates go through an orientation program, followed by computer, library, WestLaw and Lexis training.