At Kelley Drye, our summer program is an opportunity to gain realistic perspective on your future as a practicing attorney. The program allows you to gain firsthand insight into our firm, our practices, and most importantly, our people. We recognize that our future success relies on recruiting dynamic, well-rounded summer associates. Should you pursue a career at Kelley Drye, we will make a commitment to your professional development, and likewise, you will have an opportunity to shape the firm's future and make a direct impact on the clients we serve.
Assignments and Evaluations
As a summer associate you will be challenged with real work that reflects the breadth of our practices. We have designed an assignment process that ensures summer associates have a full plate of stimulating work that is appropriate for their level of experience. Each assignment is approved by a practice group Section Coordinator so as to avoid an unbalanced workload or competition for assignments.
At the end of each rotation, you receive a formal review during your exit interview. The Section Coordinators will provide you with a summary of your performance and give you a chance to speak candidly about your experience in the particular practice group. We encourage our attorneys to give informal critiques throughout the summer as well.
Training
We believe that to become a great lawyer, you must never stop learning. Kelley Drye encourages all attorneys to attend training sessions, and our summer associates are no exception. We offer training in areas such as taking and defending depositions, preparing for trials and arbitrations, and writing and oral advocacy skills. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the firm's practice areas and clients through our weekly "Lunch & Learn" program, in which each practice group gives a presentation introducing its members, providing background on the history of the practice at Kelley Drye, and giving examples of cases and clients.
Mentor Program
Each summer associate is assigned two associate mentors. You are matched with attorney mentors who provide continuing personal and professional guidance as you navigate the summer program and the firm.
Social Events
Kelley Drye attorneys are defined by more than their title and practice group, which is why we believe it is important that you get to know us outside of the office. We kick off the summer with a favorite firm tradition, a paddling competition on the Potomac River. You will spend time with other summer associates, attorneys and staff at cocktail parties or BBQ's at a partner's home, sporting events, informal happy hours and dinners.
