Mayer Brown’s Post

Congratulations! You have done all the work to get great grades and networked successfully, and now, you have accepted an offer to be a Summer Associate. I remember the feeling myself, and after the excitement wore off, I was only left with overwhelming questions. What can I do to be the best summer associate possible and receive an offer to come back to the firm? What strategies should I follow, and what are some things I should avoid? Especially as a first-generation law student, these questions remained unanswered. Now, having completed Summer Associate positions at two AM Law 100 firms, this episode seeks to answer these questions, as Johannes Alvarez-Rivero runs through the best tips and tricks for summer associates to leave a great impression on the firm they work at and easy to miss mistakes that should be avoided. The discussion is a aggregation of advice provided by a number of students inside and outside of Chicago law schools, all who have completed Summer Associate positions at a vast variety of law firms. 

Where did the time go?! As the end of summer nears, we want to thank our awesome summer associates for their hard work and dedication to our program. We wish you well as you head back to law school, hoping the skills you learned and mentorship you received will help guide you through your next year. Madison Campbell | Stephen Fowler | Ryder Kaplan | Valerie Osuna | Aaron Sarner | Quinn Weber #summerassociates #constructionlaw #smithcurrieoles

☀️It's week two of our popular Summer Associate Instagram Takeover! Today, we head to the Washington, D.C. office to meet up with Marlee Sonico (Georgetown University Law Center, Class of '25), Kaitlin Fontana (The George Washington University Law School, Class of '25), and Anya Karaman (William & Mary Law School, Class of '25). Head on over to our Instagram stories to see what a day in the life of a Cozen O'Connor #SummerAssociate. And, if you're interested in applying to the program, the application period for 2Ls for summer 2025 just opened on June 1. Learn more about how to apply via the link in our comments. #lawfirm #amlaw100 #summerintern #lawstudentlife

What fictional character would you represent in court? Watch below to see how our 2024 summer associates answered this and other “tough” questions that drive at why they’re headed down the proverbial path to becoming lawyers. Note: This is our second of four summer associate highlight reels. We focus the camera here on law students who are currently summering in our #Indianapolis, #Pittsburgh, and #Nashville offices. Please tune back in next week to meet more of our 2024 summer associates! Give it up for this video’s remarkable line-up, including: ⭐ DeNay Adams, 2L, West Virginia University College of Law ⭐ Jonah Auslander, 1L, Wake Forest University School of Law ⭐ David Bradley, 2L, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law ⭐ Elizabeth Crites, 2L, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law ⭐ Elizabeth Anne Henderson, 2L, University of Michigan Law School ⭐ Grace Jelkin, 1L, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville ⭐ Anastasia Rivera, 2L, Indiana University Maurer School of Law In case you missed it or want to revisit it, we've included a link to our first video (Cincinnati and Columbus associates) in the comments. #SummerAssociates #LawSchool #Internship Morgan Smith #TeamFBT Libby Naikelis Ian O'Donnell #LawStudents #LawFirm Tammy Beam #LegalCareers #SummerProgram

We want to give a BIG thank you to Richard Zheng, our amazing intern, for his dedication and hard work over the past year! As he gets ready to embark on his next chapter, law school in the Fall, we couldn't be more proud of all that he has accomplished during his time with us in the Buffalo office supporting multiple Practice Groups throughout our footprint. We can’t wait to see all that he’ll accomplish in this next chapter. #FutureLawyer #TeamAppreciation #NewYorkLaw

As we continue to recognize the promising legal talent that we have with us at BG this summer, today’s Summer Associate Spotlight focuses on Mackenzie Gail Howe, a rising 2L at West Virginia University College of Law. Mackenzie is originally from Danville, Kentucky, and graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Centre College in Kentucky and worked for a year as a deputy clerk at the Kentucky Court of Appeals before starting law school. We hope you enjoy this Q&A with Mackenzie: Q: What’s your favorite quote that inspires you? A: My favorite quote is by Reba McEntire: “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” It’s a great reminder to focus on my professional, academic, and personal goals without taking myself too seriously. Q: If stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you for entertainment? A: If I was stranded on a desert island, I'd bring my all-time favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. It’s a great comfort read! I’d listen to Tell Me I’m Pretty by Cage the Elephant or Bad Self Portraits by Lake Street Dive. My must-have films are The Secret Life of Walter Mitty or Dirty Dancing, my two favorites growing up. Q: What is something that you’ve learned while you’ve been at BG this summer? A: One thing that I will take away from my summer at BG is the power of concise writing and organization. Effective communication is key! Additionally, I am coming away with a deeper appreciation for mentorship and lifelong learning. It is so inspiring to work with people who are always committed to learning or teaching something new. Q: Last but not least, what kind of law are you most drawn to practicing at this time in your legal studies? A: Right now, I am most interested in mass torts, commercial and environmental litigation, and appellate practice. Thank you for joining our community this summer and contributing to our work, Mackenzie! #summerassociate #summer #wvucollegeoflaw #wvu #thankyou #community

Trial week at Yugo Collins, PLLC ! We try cases. It’s what we do. Christopher Collins Mia Yugo Risk is par for the course when you’re a litigator. But this week was special because it was the first ever arbitration for our Summer Associates Hannah Todd and Tyler Ward! (This case was bifurcated so one part of it will be tried before a jury, and the other part before an arbitrator). You can’t be a good litigator if you’re afraid of trial. We love the courtroom. We love trying cases, and we like talking to judges and juries. Summer Associates need to see what practicing law is really like. That means they need to participate in trials. They need hands-on experience. Don’t sugarcoat the practice for your interns. Show them the real thing. We won’t have a verdict until next week. But our trial team, including Tyler & Hannah, have each made predictions, so we’ll see what happens. #triallawyers #lawyerlife #therealdeal

1Ls and 2Ls, finish your law firm summer associate gig strong by following these two simple (but crucial!) tips from EJ Stern, MA, CPC: ✉ Explore the lost art of handwritten thank you notes. 🤝 A summer associate program is for now, but a LinkedIn connection is forever.

Summer Associates, listen up! As you wrap up your #lawfirm gig and head back to #lawschool, take a moment to ensure you end the summer on a high note. Here are two easy to incorporate tips that will help you stand out, leaving a lasting impression, and stay connected for the long run! Fractional Law Firm CMO Katherine Wilson, JD 💡 #legalmarketing #summerassociate #gratitude #linkedin

Embracing the Journey: From Law School Challenges to Practical Triumphs! 📚🔍 Let's talk about the unfiltered reality of law school: it's not always a smooth sail, and those elusive A+ grades? Well, they're more like rare gems than everyday treasures. But fear not, fellow legal eagles, for the real magic lies in the journey, not just the destination! As we navigate the labyrinth of case law, statutes, and legal theories, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disheartened by the occasional stumble. But here's the secret sauce: success in the legal realm isn't just about mastering the textbooks; it's about honing practical skills and embracing every learning opportunity with gusto! Whether it's through moot court competitions, internships, or extracurricular activities, the true champions of the legal arena understand the value of applying themselves beyond the classroom walls. It's about cultivating resilience, adaptability, and a hunger for knowledge that transcends mere letter grades. So, let's flip the script and celebrate the journey – the late-night study sessions, the mock trials, the "aha" moments of clarity – they're all part of the grand tapestry of legal education! 🎓 Let's embrace the challenges, leverage our practical skills, and pave our own paths to success, one case at a time. #LegalJourney #PracticalSkills #FutureLawyers