Advice for Successfully Completing Summer Associate Assignment

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the interview season, decided where you’ll spend your summer, and are now ready to begin your assignment writing. Law firm lawyers have been preparing for your arrival to guarantee that you enjoy a well-planned, well-executed summer associate program. These programs are intended to provide law students with an experience similar to that of a first-year associate, including assignments that are reflective of a lawyer’s day-to-day working life.

Working on these tasks also provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about yourself as a working professional—your preferences, talents, limitations, and hobbies. Here are eight strategies for making the most of your summer tasks.

1. Be Adaptable And Open-Minded When It Comes To Assignments.

The summer program gives you the opportunity to try out new assignments. Each assignment provides an opportunity to gain new abilities and pursue new interests. You should see your assignments as a chance to hone essential legal skills, network with attorneys from other divisions of the firm, and get exposure to and insights into many aspects of the law. This approach will help you determine whether the profession is (or is not) your true passion and will aid you in starting your legal career.

While some of you may know exactly what type of law you want to practice, the majority of you have had limited exposure to many of the intriguing practice groups that law firms have to offer. Be open-minded about the types of assignments you take and the practice groups in which you participate. You never know what might happen. You might fall in love with something you had no idea about when you went in.

2. Be “all in.”

Be present when you receive your tasks, ready to listen closely and take notes. Turn off all distractions, including your iPhone, so you can completely understand the context of the assignment and give a meaningful product to the lawyers and, ultimately, clients. Respect deadlines and avoid overpromising and underdelivering. Never reveal your dissatisfaction with a project. Approach each assignment with zeal. Furthermore, do not be scared to request extra learning opportunities. For example, if you were working on summarising papers for use in a deposition, inquire whether you can attend the deposition.

3. For Each Assignment, Ask Questions.

Completing an assignment necessitates understanding what has been assigned to you and what is expected of you. After obtaining a project and comprehending the scope and deadlines, ask clarifying questions to get you started on the right track. Reviewing previous samples will provide a wonderful framework and reduce the possibility of veering off incorrectly.

4. Make Use Of The Firm’s Resources.

Summer programs at law firms are planned months of the actual start date. You have a plethora of internal resources at your disposal. The firm’s Knowledge Management Team will not only ensure that you have access to Westlaw, Lexis, and other research tools, but they will also assist you in making better use of those tools. Your coworker or fellow summer associates can help you explore ideas for an assignment. Mentors and summer companions can offer advice and insight based on their own experiences. Furthermore, the organization may have arranged for access to a writing coach to ask for assignment help and examine and modify assignments.

6. Double-Check Your Work.

When completing an assignment, be certain that your work output may be transmitted straight from a partner to a client. This will necessitate proofreading, re-proofreading, and revising your work before sending it to the assigned attorney. Your final assignment should be free of grammar faults, citation errors, and typos.

7. Accept The Criticism.

Summer assignments provide you with the opportunity to learn from practicing attorneys. Receiving comments will assist you in incorporating what you learn not only into your next assignment and your work as a junior associate. If you do not receive feedback on a finished project, follow up and inquire.

Wrapping Up

Your summer experience will provide you with the opportunity to work hard. Also, attempt a variety of assignments. Meet other members of the firm, and gain valuable insight into life as a lawyer. Make sure to keep your assigning attorney up to date on your availability and competing priorities. Find a happy medium between learning and prioritizing your well-being. If you require personal or professional assistance, ask for help with my assignment, and your seniors will help you with it.