Are You a Good Summer Employee?

If you are going to be a good summer associate or law clerk, do your best to remember that the entire summer is really one long interview. This means you should begin building your professional reputation and strive for a “rebuttable presumption of excellence in all things” as stated by Kari Anne Tuohy of KAT Consulting and a former law firm recruiter.

You are there to work. Be a bit early and stay a bit late - but don’t go overboard with this unless have to for an assignment. Don’t be the first to leave. When you get an assignment digest it, ask questions, do it, turn it in on time, and ask for feedback. Remember your work product should be excellent – no typos. Be sure to research fully, proofread, check cites, use IRAC (it works), and if you are unsure of format get an example. If you make a mistake own up to it and fix it, that’s professional.

Research tools, be sure you know which research tools your employer has available and whether there are any limits on your use of commercial on-line sources. You may need to find out where the closest law library is located. Don’t forget to shepardize. Keep in mind that you are finding an answer to a clients question or situation.

Ask for feedback. Seek out the attorney, who gave you the assignment, see them personally when possible. Ask to hear back if you aren’t on point or if more information is needed. If you don’t hear back about your work product, follow up with email. But, don’t be overbearing or annoying about it.

If you have too much work assigned, talk to someone about it. You will be expected to finish your work in a timely fashion and certainly before you leave your summer job for the fall semester. Find out if you can use support staff, if so use them sparingly. They may enable you to catch up.

Be Enthusiastic. Accept your assignments and do them. Maintain a positive attitude. Be friendly, with everyone at the firm. Support staff have more influence than you think! Go to lunch with attorneys when they invite you, it’s a great way to learn more about the firm.

You should socialize. It is part of the “face time” you need to put in so that more attorneys get to know you. Go to as many social events as you can but you MUST still get your work done. Don’t ever get drunk. Be yourself but think before you speak. Be polite; mind your “p’s and q’s”. Use good table manners. Only bring your spouse or significant other, when they are invited.

Dress well. Suit up on the first day. Then always wear courtroom attire, until/unless you are told not to. Guys, keep a jacket and tie handy in case you get asked to go to a deposition, meet clients, or go to court. No loud clothing, the law is still a conservative profession. Don’t wear open toed shoes, and ladies, it’s better to wear pantyhose, even in the summer. Don’t wear really short skirts. Always be neat in your personal appearance.

Show gratitude. Thank everyone. Thank the attorneys who take you out to lunch, provide you with advice, or feedback. Thank support staff for assisting you. Thank anyone who hosts a social event that you attend. Firms have mentioned not showing gratitude can be a determent to your career.

People will talk about you. The attorneys are supposed to, in order to make a hiring decision. They are not talking about you as gossip or for bad reasons. Don’t be paranoid.

Read. Look at the local paper to be in tune with what’s happening, especially if you are in another geographic location. This will provide you with things to talk about. The sports and business sections offer good talking points.