US Summer Program
Summer associate programs of varying sizes are offered in our Austin, Dallas, Houston, Menlo Park, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, DC offices. In all of these offices, the goal of the program is to give law students the opportunity to learn as much as possible about our firm, its practice areas, and the nature of the legal practice generally. You’ll spend your summer doing real work, learning important skills, and working alongside our lawyers. Compensation for our summer associates is $3,654/week.
Rotations
Our rotational program gives summer associates the opportunity to work on real legal issues across various practice areas. Summer associates typically rotate through two practice groups in which they've expressed an interest. Some decide to rotate through one of our corporate groups and then spend the second rotation in Litigation. Others have decided to experience a smaller group vs. a larger group. The best part is, you decide.
Each year, a number of summer associates are given an opportunity to spend time in more than one firm office. In recent years, summer associates have spent time in our Hong Kong, London, Paris, São Paulo, Shanghai, and Tokyo offices. In addition, summer associates have split their time among our North American offices in New York, the Bay Area, Toronto, and Washington, DC. If you're interested in splitting your summer, we encourage you to mention this at the outset of the interview process. Office placement decisions are based on the business needs of each office and individual levels of summer associate interest, so a separate interview is not necessary.
Mentoring
Each summer associate is assigned both a Senior Advisor and a Junior Advisor during each practice group (or office) rotation during the summer. Advisors assign work and provide feedback and they are also tremendous resources for guidance and advice.
Professional Development
During the summer, we maintain a busy calendar of substantive training programs on such topics as Legal Research and Writing, Deposition Skills, Negotiation Skills, and Diversity & Inclusion. However, training goes beyond these formal programs. Summer associates gain tremendous practical experience and on-the-job training by working alongside our lawyers.
Social Events
In addition to lunches and dinners, summer associates are invited to attend a number of social events throughout the summer. These events give our summer associates an opportunity to meet as many Shearman lawyers as possible – in fun and relaxed settings. In recent years, events have included a cooking competition, baseball game, scavenger hunt, sailboat cruise, concert and volunteer programs.
Feedback
During the course of the summer, summer associates regularly receive feedback from the lawyers with whom they are working. At the end of each practice group rotation, summer associates meet with a member of the Recruiting Committee to review their work and their experience in that particular practice group.
