The Dallas summer program sponsors activities to introduce summer associates to the entire firm and to the Dallas community, and our goal is to make offers of employment to all summer associates who demonstrate the ability to practice law at the level required by the firm.

Each summer associate is assigned two advisors and two liaisons. The advisor monitors and obtains work projects from other attorneys for his or her summer associate, and the liaisons are responsible for arranging lunches and dinners with lawyers and the summer associate. Summer associates are assigned work in the same way that associates are assigned work.

Assignments and Evaluations

Summer associates are able to work in practice areas that interest them throughout the summer. We do not have a formal rotation system, and therefore summer associates have a great deal of flexibility and can complete assignments in various practice areas.

We conduct midsummer and exit interviews with every summer associate. The midsummer review occurs the week following a summer associate's midpoint date at the firm. Summer associates are encouraged throughout the clerkship to discuss any concerns or problems with either of their advisors, the Summer Program Committee, any lawyer they are working with or the recruiting administrator. The midsummer review is an additional opportunity to address any concerns or apparent deficiencies in a clerk's performance from the standpoint of the firm as well as any concerns about the summer program from the standpoint of the summer associate.

Following the summer associate's stay at the firm, every lawyer is given the opportunity to complete an evaluation regarding the summer associate. The Recruiting Committee reviews the work product evaluations and any additional comments before making a decision regarding an associate position.

Events

We provide summer associates with many opportunities, in and out of the office, to meet a wide variety of our lawyers. The summer program is designed so summer associates may customize their summer and pick and choose which events to attend. We offer many smaller events and several large recruiting parties during the summer. All of our lawyers are encouraged to participate in our events in order to provide summer associates with the opportunity to meet as many of our lawyers as possible. In addition to outside events, there are weekly meet-the-section lunches, educational sessions and breakfast meetings to discuss firm administrative issues.

Summer program events in recent years have included:
• A lake party
• Wine tastings
• The annual lawyer / summer associate softball game
• Casino night
• Happy hours
• Six Flags
• Speed Zone
• Movie nights
• Dinners at lawyers' homes
• Fort Worth trip
• Themed party
• Firm leaders luncheon/speakers

Pro Bono

A designated lawyer coordinates two or three pro bono evening clinics throughout the summer. Summer associates and lawyers are encouraged to participate in these real-life "hands-on" situations as well as pro bono assignments which come up during the summer.

Diversity

The firm is deeply committed to diversity. The firm has a minority recruiting task force and sponsors seminars with minority student bar associations. The firm attends minority job fairs and participates in the Texas Appleseed program, which provides scholarships to minority students to take the LSAT preparation course.

Hiring Criteria

The Dallas office seeks well-rounded individuals with excellent academic credentials, strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated writing skills and previous work experience.

Pre-Clerk Program

Please contact Tonia Dunlap for opportunities for 3Ls with judicial clerkships.

Where to Apply

All interested applications should send a resume, cover letter and law school transcript to:
Tonia W. Dunlap, Attorney Recruiting & Development Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100
Dallas, TX 75201-4675
214.969.4737
214.969.4343 (fax)
tdunlap@akingump.com

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Dallas Summer Program FAQs

Q: How many summer associates does the firm expect to have each year?

A: The Dallas office had 17 summer associates participate in its 2007 program. There are 23 summer associates in the 2008 program.

Q: How many offers do you make to your summer associate class?

A: Our goal is to make offers to each summer associate who demonstrates the ability to practice law at the level required by our practice. In 2007, 100 percent of our summer associates received offers.

Q: What is your hiring criteria for summer associates?

A: We look for outstanding academic credentials, law review/journal experience, moot court experience, previous work history, excellent interpersonal skills and participation in extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership abilities and team players. We seek well-rounded, intelligent individuals.

Q: Do you hire 1Ls for your summer program?

A: We hire ILs for the summer program on a case by case basis.

Q: What is your salary for summer associates?

A: In 2007, the summer associate salary for second-year students was $2,600 per week. The summer associate salary for 2008 is $3,077 per week.

Q: Do you allow split summers?

A: Yes, summer associates may split with another employer; however, we require that summer associates spend a minimum of six weeks with us during the first half of our summer program.

Q: Do I have to choose a particular practice area in the beginning of the summer?

A: You may select two practice areas to explore during your clerkship.

Q: What if I am unsure of the area in which I would like to practice?

A: In addition to receiving assignments from a variety of practice areas, we host weekly luncheons for each of the firm's practice groups. This informal presentation by partners and associates in different sections provides an overview about their current workload and unique aspects of each practice group.

Q: What can I expect as far as training in your summer program?

A: We offer basic skills seminars in-house, in addition to our ongoing litigation and corporate training programs. Summer associates also have the opportunity to observe and participate in client meetings, depositions, hearings, trials and closings.

Q: Who should I contact with questions about the Dallas summer program or to apply?

A: Tonia W. Dunlap, Attorney Recruiting & Development Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 4100
Dallas, TX 75201-4675
214.969.4737
214.969.4343 (fax)
tdunlap@akingump.com

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