In 2004, Kelley Drye made numerous enhancements to its recruiting and summer associate programs, which were successfully implemented by the Firm’s Recruiting Committee and attorneys.

As part of the Firm’s recruiting program, Kelley Drye commenced its efforts before the start of the traditional “recruiting season,” reaching out to students by traveling to their schools and holding receptions for prospective recruits. This enabled students to learn more about Kelley Drye before the formal start of the recruiting season. And in order to attract a more diverse summer class, the recruiting team added several new schools to its roster.

The Firm’s summer associate training program was also enhanced. For example, the Recruiting Committee and Associate Training & Development Committee arranged for summer associates’ participation in mock depositions with the Firm’s attorneys. Under the supervision and guidance of partners, Kelley Drye associates deposed the summer associates, who served as witnesses. The partners provided commentary and demonstrated to the summer associates different deposition techniques and styles. The summer associate mentoring program was also adapted to include attorney teams, providing the summer associates with different perspectives and a window into the stages of a Kelley Drye attorney’s career.

The efforts of the recruiting team paid off. Kelley Drye made the greatest jump of any firm in The American Lawyer’s Summer Associate Survey rankings, receiving the highest rank of all participating firms nationwide.

The recruiting and summer associate programs benefit from the important contributions of the Firm’s attorneys who served as mentors and participants in the summer program, contributing their time and effort to provide guidance to the summer associate class. The Firm’s recruiting efforts and summer program are coordinated by Kelley Drye’s Recruiting Committee.

Kelley Drye’s Teamwork Results in Recruiting Success