Summer Program FAQs

General | Work | Activities | Offers

General

What is the summer associate salary?

On our current pay schedule, summer associates are compensated at the same rate as a first-year associate in the office they are joining.

Do you allow splits with other law firms/organizations?

Although we prefer that you spend your entire summer with Orrick, we address requests for splits on a case-by-case basis and require at least an eight-week minimum.

Do you allow inter-office splits?

Requests for inter-office splits are handled on a case-by-case basis. An inter-office split requires that both offices interview the summer associate and approve the split summer.

Is financial assistance available for relocation?

Yes. We cover roundtrip transportation costs (mileage or airfare) from your law school city to your Orrick office. We are happy to provide guidance about finding an apartment or other living accommodations; however, we do not cover apartment-hunting fees or costs.

What is the dress code at the office?

Our dress code is business casual. As a summer associate, you may receive a last minute invitation to attend a client meeting or court appearance. We recommend that you keep business attire in your office, for these opportunities.

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Work

Can summer associates work in only one practice group or accept only one type of assignment?

While we take into account a summer associate's desire to focus on a particular practice area, we discourage you from trying to specialize during your summer. While many law students think they know what practice will best suit their style, students may base those notions on speculation and stereotypes. Working in all practice areas gives you the chance to test your preconceptions and gain valuable experience. The summer may be your only chance to experience the law from varied perspectives. Nevertheless, we will make every effort to ensure that you get assignments that interest you and make every effort to accommodate specialized interests.

Are summer associates required to bill a minimum number of hours?

No.

Can summer associates work on pro bono matters?

Absolutely, in fact, it is encouraged. Below are some of the projects our 2011 Summer Associates are working on.

• A team of summer associates has joined a seventeen attorney team, comprised of three partners, the firm’s pro bono counsel and pro bono fellow, to conduct research and analysis on a long-term project that we are working on with our client, Appleseed, a national legal services advocacy organization, to provide practical recommendations for how to increase the racial diversity of the New York City public school system;
• Assisting with the filing of a United States Supreme Court petition for writ of certiorari in a complex immigration matter that seeks to make new law around the issue of protection for individuals who are persecuted based on their family status;
• Advocating for our death penalty client, about whom dissenting Justices from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals observed that the State of California is about to kill an innocent man, in post habeas petition matters.

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Activities/Events During the Summer Program

How many social events must I attend during the summer?

We have been careful to plan a fun, but manageable schedule of events for summer associates. These events are more than a chance to relax away from the office. They are an opportunity for you to get to know attorneys and staff in a more relaxed social setting, and for them to get to know you. We hope you will attend all of the events, but we understand that conflicts happen. Please be sure to discuss your schedule with your office recruiting manager.

Can I plan for weddings, family reunions or similar events that will require time off during the summer?

We can accommodate requests for time off on a case-by-case basis and within reason. Of course, the value of the summer will diminish if you don't commit to spend a full or nearly full summer in the program. However, we are flexible, and a few days away from the office are generally acceptable. A week or more would require an unpaid leave of absence, and we would appreciate knowing about such an event as early as possible so we can schedule summer events around your absence, if possible.

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Offers

If I receive an offer at the end of the summer, is it for a specific department?

In most offices, you will receive a general offer to join the firm, and a specific division assignment in the spring before you start as a first-year associate. In Sacramento, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C., summer associates will receive an offer to join the firm for a specific practice group.

How soon must I decide to accept or reject an offer?

We follow the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) guidelines regarding time allowed to consider an offer. We will provide the current NALP guidelines in our offer letter. If you need more time to consider an offer, please let us know as early as possible so we can determine if it's possible to accommodate your request.

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