The Washington, D.C., summer program, which is designed for students who have completed their second year of law school, provides the opportunity to work on challenging and interesting assignments from a variety of practice areas. Our summer associates receive excellent training, mentoring and feedback on their progress, all of which affords them an authentic investment in their work and in the firm.
We want our summer associates to have a clear picture of the diversity of work, resources and culture available to them at Akin Gump, as well as a strong sense of what it's like to practice law in Washington, D.C. To that end, we offer special opportunities to attend hearings, depositions, witness interviews and client meetings, as well as a variety of social events that allow the summer associates to get to know our lawyers and each other in informal settings. With outings to many of D.C.'s best attractions, we hope to showcase the vibrant and rich culture that makes Washington such a unique and exciting city.
Summer Events
We host a wide variety of social opportunities that allow summer associates to get to know the attorneys, the firm, and each other. Past summer events have included weekly softball games against other local law firms, bowling night, happy hours, dinner parties at Partners’ homes, a Washington Nationals baseball game, a Crab Feast in Annapolis, Maryland, and much more. In addition, partners and associates frequently take summer associates to lunch in small, informal groups. We also host section lunches and breakfasts in which members of each of the firm’s practice groups give informal presentations about their sections and their areas of expertise. These presentations are a great way to learn about each section and to meet the attorneys in each area.
Special Opportunities
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a lawyer can be the drama of appearing in court or meeting with clients and finding solutions to their dilemmas. We want our summer associates to share those same exciting experiences. To that end, outside of their normal assignments, we offer special opportunities to attend depositions, hearings, witness interviews and client meetings.
Special opportunities become available as a result of our lawyers' willingness to share their workdays with summer associates. Their active participation is evidence of our firmwide commitment to making the summer experience as valuable as possible.
Litigation and Corporate Training Programs
One of the most unique features of our summer program is the extensive litigation and corporate training programs. Developed and taught by our attorneys, these programs are completely non-evaluative, allowing our summer associates to relax and have fun while learning valuable skills from seasoned attorneys.
Assignments
Giving our summer associates a realistic view of the variety of work performed by our associates is one of our top priorities. Summer associates are provided with interesting and challenging work that is similar to work being handled by our first- and second-year associates. Once a project is assigned, the supervising lawyer works with the summer associate to establish project guidelines, expectations and deadlines. Our attorneys welcome the opportunity to answer questions, clarify issues and provide support for our summer associates. While a summer associate's ability to work independently is crucial to his or her evaluation process, many of our previous summer associates have remarked that our "open door policy" makes the entire process less intimidating.
Here are examples of assignments from previous summers:
• Preparing a motion to dismiss
• Drafting Stock Option Grants for various officers and directors of a company
• Investigating class action or legislative remedies for a pro bono client
• Researching the D.C. Freedom of Information Act and preparing FOIA requests for information concerning tax collections
• Interviewing a client witness in a fact-finding investigation
• Covering a Senate hearing on the Patent Fairness Act
• Preparing a motion for summary judgment
• Preparing arguments in opposition to proposed anititrust legislation in the House Judiciary Committee
• Investigating the status of Internet domain names and how to initiate a dispute proceeding for a name already owned
• Researching libel cases based on publication on a Web site
• Drafting discovery requests
• Assisting with witness preparation and attending a deposition
• Preparing an application for tax-exempt status for a charitable organization.
• Interviewing witnesses for a death penalty case.
Pro Bono
Summer associates are encouraged to work on pro bono cases — and in 2007 every one of our summer associates worked on pro bono matters.
Our summer program was highlighted by our participation in a firm-wide project to assist battered immigrant women obtain permanent residency in the United States under the Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA"). In DC, our summer associates worked with eight women, taking the lead in client interviews and drafting comprehensive letters and affidavits to support their applications. One summer associate commented that the VAWA project "was a great exposure to 'real life' legal issues, and provided a good deal of client contact and witness interviewing opportunities."
Our summer associates also worked on a variety of other pro bono matters. For example, three summer associates helped draft a petition for habeas corpus and motion for preliminary injunction to free an asylum-seeker who had been detained for more than two years in an immigration jail. By the end of the summer, the client had been freed.
Other pro bono matters on which our summer associates have worked include the following:
• Adoption referrals
• Asylum cases
• Custody disputes
• A civil rights action for African-American homeowners
• A death penalty case in South Carolina Social Security disability payments cases
• A termination of parental rights hearing.
In addition, our summer associates enjoy getting involved in our work with Tyler Elementary School, a local school Akin Gump has adopted and supports with tutoring programs, clean-up projects, school supply drives and more. Akin Gump also participates in "Buildable Hours" through the D.C. Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Our attorneys and summer associates also spend a day assisting with the construction of a D.C. Habitat for Humanity home. This is an important and rewarding part of our summer program for our summer associates and the attorneys who accompany them.
Summer Pro Bono Scholars Program 2009
The Akin Gump Washington Office Pro Bono Scholars Summer Program is intended to be a two-year program (two summers) for top law school students who show a strong interest in making pro bono an integral part of their Akin Gump careers.
Click here for more information about this program.
Diversity
Akin Gump is committed to a diverse workplace and seeks to hire lawyers from all backgrounds. We actively participate in several events and programs throughout the year to attract minority applicants. The firm has a firmwide Diversity Committee and D.C. has a Diversity Task Force with representatives from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and orientations. The purpose of the task force is to strengthen the firm's ongoing recruitment and retention efforts.
Hiring Criteria
Akin Gump seeks exceptional students who will have completed their second year of law school upon the start of our program and who are interested in practicing law in Washington, D.C. after graduation. We look for students with outstanding academic credentials, law review or journal membership, moot court experience, previous work experience, excellent interpersonal skills and who have taken part in extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership abilities.
Where To Apply
All interested applicants should send a resume and transcript to:
Adrianne Vaughan, Attorney Recruiting and Development Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Robert S. Strauss Building
1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-1564
202.887.4058
202.887.4288 (fax)
dcrecruiting@akingump.com
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Washington, D.C., Summer Program FAQs
Q: How many summer associates does the firm expect to have in 2009?
A: We expect to have 12 - 15 summer associates in 2009.
Q: Do you hire 1Ls for your Summer Associate Program?
A: We do not hire 1Ls for our Summer Program. However, in 2008 we started the Pro Bono Scholars Program which is made up of 1Ls. The program is intended to be a two-year (two summers) program for top law school students who show a strong interest in making pro bono an integral part of their Akin Gump careers.
In 2008, 6 1Ls participated in our Pro Bono Scholars 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.
Q: Do you allow split summers?
A: We require that all summer associates spend a minimum of the first eight weeks of the summer with us, and we encourage them to spend the entire summer so we can better evaluate them and for them to become completely familiar with our firm.
Q: Do I have to pick a particular practice area in the beginning of the summer?
A: No. We encourage our summer associates to explore opportunities in a variety of practice areas throughout the summer, if they would like to do so.
Q: What if I am unsure of the area in which I would like to practice?
A: In addition to the opportunity to try assignments from a variety of sections, the firm’s practice groups give informal presentations about their sections. This overview includes discussions from junior associates and partners about the work they are currently handling and unique aspects of each practice area.
Q: What can I expect as far as training in the summer program?
A: We offer extensive practical litigation and corporate training courses for our 2L summers that are run by our attorneys. We also offer writing training. In addition, our summer associates have the opportunity to observe and participate in real-life training scenarios by attending client meetings, depositions and hearings.
Q: What type of feedback should I expect?
A: At Akin Gump, we take a proactive approach to ensure that our summer associates succeed. Our attorneys are committed to providing meaningful feedback on all projects, and the firm has several mechanisms in place to ensure that the process works. In addition, Summer Associates have two formal evaluations throughout the summer; at the midpoint, and at the end of the summer. In the evaluations, each summer associate meets with his/her partner mentor and a member of the Hiring Committee to discuss his or her progress.
Q: In such a large firm, how do the summer associates get to know the attorneys?
A: We offer many opportunities for our summer associates to get to know our attorneys throughout the summer through social events such as partner dinners, a Washington Nationals baseball game, bowling night at Lucky Strike, go-karting, and outings to the Kennedy Center and local restaurants. Every Monday and Friday, summer associates are taken to lunch by partners and associates in small, informal groups. On Tuesdays the firm participates in a summer softball league. Each Friday night, there is a happy hour for our associates and summer associates.
Q: Do summer associates have mentors and advisors?
A: Each summer associate is paired with a peer advisor, mentor and partner mentor. The peer advisor is generally an associate whose responsibility is to facilitate the summer associates’ integration into the social structure of the firm. The mentor is an associate or counsel whose responsibility is to oversee professional development, and ensure that summer associates are satisfied with the assignments and feedback they are receiving. The partner mentor is a partner whose responsibility is to help facilitate partner interaction between the summer associates and partners.
Q: What are your hiring criteria for summer associates?
A: We look for outstanding academic credentials, law review/journal membership, strong writing skills, moot court, previous work experience, excellent interpersonal skills and extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership abilities. We seek well-rounded, intelligent individuals.
Q: How are hiring decisions made?
A: Each of our interviewers will evaluate the candidate based on the applicant’s academic achievement, work experience, personal traits and other factors that indicate a successful match with our firm. In addition, a writing sample is reviewed carefully. The Hiring Committee then reviews the applicant’s credentials and evaluations and makes a decision.
Q: How long after I interview should I expect a hiring decision?
A: Our Hiring Committee meets weekly. Normally, one can expect a decision in five to seven days from the time that they interview. Candidates who receive an offer will be notified by phone and a letter will follow.
Q: What law schools does Akin Gump’s Washington office visit for on-campus interviews?
A: In 2008, we will visit American, Catholic, Columbia, Duke, Georgetown, George Washington, Harvard, Howard, New York University, Stanford, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas, and University of Virginia. We also review the resumes of write-in applicants and often hire students who do not attend our on-campus schools.
Q: What is your salary for summer associates?
A: Our 2008 summer associate salary was $3,077 per week.
Washington Office First Year Associate Hiring
Q: What are your salary and benefits for associates?
A: Our current salary for first-year associates is $160,000. In addition, our associates have an opportunity to receive a year-end merit bonus.
Q: Do you hire judicial clerks or 3Ls for associate positions?
A: Yes, we will consider judicial clerks and 3Ls as needed.
Q: Are your associates assigned to one practice group or do they rotate?
A: Our associates are assigned to one practice group, based primarily on their interests. This assignment enables our associates to focus on a particular area of law and maintain consistency with clients and cases. However, there is often overlap with other sections, allowing broader exposure to many areas of the law.
Q: What kind of training do your associates get?
A: The firm offers a variety of training and continuing legal education classes, including many substantive in-house courses. Our extensive Professional Development Program includes seminars and workshops on litigation skills, transactions, ethics, legal writing, oral advocacy and pro bono matters. We have implemented a professional development program for our first years consisting of a series of classes focused on basic business and legal skills. In addition, several practice groups have implemented training programs designed to enhance knowledge of a specific area of the law. All courses are taught by a faculty of our own lawyers and nationally known outside consultants. Additionally, the firm offers several non-legal seminars on topics of interest to our associates, such as time management, financial management and interview skills.
Q: How do associates get involved in firm affairs?
A: Associate involvement in firm affairs is encouraged through the Associates Committee, whose members are elected by the associates. Meetings are held to exchange ideas among partners and associates about firm-related issues. In addition, associates participate on the firm's Hiring Committee, Recruitment Follow-Up Committee, Summer Committee, Pro Bono Committee and Diversity Committee, among others.
Q: Do you offer associates the opportunity to do pro bono work?
A: All attorneys are encouraged to participate in our pro bono program, which is managed on a daily basis by our full-time pro bono partner. Pro bono hours are treated the same as billable hours for all matters.
Q: What is your partnership track?
A: Eight years. In 1998, the firm instituted a program to promote associates who are on partnership track to counsel in their 6th year of practice. This new position recognizes and rewards associates for their substantial contribution to the firm and its clients.
Q: Who should I contact with questions about associate positions in Washington, D.C., or to apply?
A: Applications for all associate positions should be addressed to:
Adrianne Vaughan, Attorney Recruiting and Development Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Robert S. Strauss Building
1333 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-1564
202.887.4058
202.887.4288 (fax)
dcrecruiting@akingump.com
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