The first week of the Summer Associate Program is busy, with orientation, social events, and the start of one’s first department rotation.  The number of new faces is exciting, and meeting the rest of the summer class is a lot of fun, but I was still unsure about the work environment and how I would fit in with the more senior associates and partners.  After completing orientation, I headed to my assigned office and awaited my first assignment.  I was nervous, as this was the first time I was meeting one-on-one with a partner, but I should not have been.  The meeting was informal, lighthearted, and the partner genuinely wanted…

Throughout the first week of the summer program, my fellow summer associates and I heard the phrase “My door is always open” from a countless number of attorneys, a countless number of times. I quickly came to realize that sentiment was anything but hollow and that it would make all of the difference in the world in my summer experience. When I received my first work assignment, I was both excited and nervous. Obviously, it is fantastic to have the opportunity to begin to dip your toes into different practice areas in substantive ways. At the same time, it can be incredibly nerve-racking to face unfamiliar and challenging concepts. In…

One of the best parts about the Weil culture and truly being “One Weil” is that there are plenty of opportunities for formal and informal mentoring. Being in the close knit Dallas office has allowed me to form meaningful connections with many attorneys. Throughout my summer, one attorney in particular has given me plentiful guidance on the ins and outs of the firm and the legal practice. In just a few short weeks, I have learned how to be more attentive to detail, what it takes to be a successful associate, and how to balance working hard and taking care of your family. The ability to gain experiential knowledge and…

Recently, I was sitting in the office of a senior associate, chatting after a call I was observing had wrapped up.  It was the middle of my corporate department rotation and I was picking his brain about the role the Banking & Finance group played in a corporate acquisition.   All of the sudden, I glanced at my watch and realized I had taken up 30 minutes of his time.  He didn’t seem to mind, but I insisted we finish our conversation over lunch, a few days later.  As I was walking back to my office, it occurred to me how many conversations just like that I’ve had in the short…

Coming into this summer at Weil, I was unsure about what type of law I wanted to practice. I am currently beginning my third week of the summer associate program, and I still am unsure. What I do know, however, is that I am in the best place I could possibly be in to make that determination. Weil has surpassed my expectations of what this summer would be and the way in which it would help me learn what practice group I am interested in. Most firms undoubtedly offer similar opportunities to explore different practice areas and be part of various experiences to help summers figure out their interests. What…

As a future lawyer, it’s perhaps unsurprising that I am somewhat of a skeptic. Throughout law school, this skepticism has manifested in occasional distrust when people utter the almost platitude-like statement: “There is no such thing as a dumb question.” But, less than two weeks into my summer program, I have learned that at Weil, people truly mean it. In orientation trainings, associates and partners alike repeatedly implored me and the other Summer Associates to feel comfortable e-mailing them with questions, speaking up in meetings, and stopping by their offices to introduce ourselves. In fact, I often do not even have to seek out associates and partners to learn about…

Like many summer associates, I wasn’t entirely sure what practice group I wanted to join when I began working at the Firm. I had decided to rotate six weeks in the Corporate Department and six weeks in Litigation, and it was my hope that at some point I’d be working on an assignment, the heavens would open, a light bulb would go off, and at last I would discover my calling. While I now know what group I would like to join, the process in which I narrowed down my choices happened in a way I was not expecting. Don’t get me wrong, the work has been on the whole…

By the end of my first week at Weil, I had sat in on two depositions, attended a meeting at the International Trade Commission and been involved on a client call. A few weeks later, I would be on my first business trip, having had attended three more depositions, and participated in multiple client calls and team meetings. I chose Weil because of the opportunities I saw for myself in the future, but I never expected to be so involved in projects as a summer associate. The associates and partners make a constant effort to involve the summers in ongoing matters and be an integral part of the team. Most…

One of the greatest fears that summer associates face is making mistakes on assignments. At least for me, it was definitely one of my greatest fears. Setting aside leaving a stellar impression on anyone, I did not want to be seen as someone who does not understand the instructions or does not produce great work product. Assignments were one of the few ways attorneys could evaluate my skills, knowledge and competence. Because of this concern, from day 1 of the Summer Program I reminded myself to produce the best work possible, as I considered this whole program as a 12-week interview process. However, my nervousness did not resolve my concerns.…

Weil is a standout firm because of the people who comprise it. From my initial screener interview to the callback, it almost felt too good to be true. The attorneys at Weil operate as a purposeful team with an unparalleled level of camaraderie. The firm gives summer associates the ability to rotate through their selected departments in order to determine which one is the right fit. Based on my conversations with fellow law classmates, not every summer associate is given this opportunity. Summer associates gain many forms of mentorship and support during their onboarding. I can refer to my summer sibling, partner mentors and assignment coordinator for advice while simultaneously…

By the end of my third week at Weil, I was headed on my first business trip. I was not expecting to be able to participate in this kind of practical experience when I started with the firm, but I accepted the offer to go without hesitation. At Weil, summers are actually part of the team and no matter the assignment, our contributions are valued. My two biggest draws to Weil were the promises of deep, meaningful mentoring relationships and ownership of my work. My first business trip was an early and resounding delivery of these promises. Not only was I able to meaningfully contribute to my team, the associate…

Starting your legal career can be a daunting experience in its own right – doing so at a prominent international law firm perhaps even more so. Not only are Weil summer associates eager to begin developing the skills needed to be excellent attorneys, but they also desire to do so at the highest level, working on some of the most sophisticated and cutting-edge legal matters in the world. And yet for many summer associates, their summer at Weil will be their first substantial experience at a law firm. Naturally, they will have many questions as their first day approaches, and even more as the summer progresses. Fortunately, the Weil summer…

There are clearly some central themes that are repeated in each summer blog, and one that is frequently echoed throughout is the amazing mentorship, “both formal and informal.” Whenever we look at someone’s bio page online, we usually see what law school they attended, some of the deals they were a part of, and what position they hold at the firm. But often times, the path to where they are now is glossed over or not readily discernible from just an online webpage. I am truly glad that Weil sees the importance in not only the amazing substantive work that is assigned to us, but also in the valuable stories…

An invaluable aspect of any summer program is the opportunity for summer associates to meet and cultivate relationships with partners. Indeed, it is common for summer programs to create mentorship pairings between summer associates and partners. Formal mentorships give summers the ability to ask questions they may otherwise feel intimidated to raise, learn more about the business end of the legal industry, and begin building their professional networks. At Weil, the difference is in the details. For certain social events, Weil divides its summer associate class into six smaller groups, each led by three partners or counsel across various departments who serve on the Summer Program Committee (SPC). These attorneys…

After only beginning the summer program a week ago, I am already impressed by the attorneys at Weil and their efforts to be welcoming, helpful, and friendly with the incoming summer associates. Weil facilitates great formal mentorship opportunities by having summer associates work directly with experienced associates and partners. Each attorney I’ve worked with so far is sure to explain all of the details of a matter so that I truly understand the case. Understanding these complex issues has already helped me do better work and have a better understanding of what different groups do day to day. Additionally, partners in the BFR group reached out to the BFR summer…

As a rising 2L with a packed week of OCI finally behind me, I was ready to begin my round of callbacks and find the perfect firm to call my home for the next summer. I knew that no matter where I accepted an offer, I would be working alongside some of New York’s greatest legal minds in serving distinguished clients from around the world. The question was, how would I utilize my callbacks to determine which firm would be most committed to my growth as an attorney? I decided that I would inquire about each firm’s focus on mentorship. The response I would receive would provide insight into how…

About nine months pass between accepting your offer to be a summer associate and starting the summer program. In the meantime, you’ll hear from plenty of friendly recruiting folks that work hard to make sure everything is in order for your arrival in May and to remind you of the exciting light at the end of the 2L tunnel. The first day of the summer program will nonetheless feel a bit like the first day of school, where you wonder if you’ll fit in and form good friendships with people you’ve just met. So far, Weil has proved to be an excellent fit. On our first day, each of us…

We are halfway through the summer program, and when I look back at the first day, I remember my nerves like it was just yesterday. As a first generation American and the first female in my family to pursue a professional career, I had no idea what to expect and felt simultaneously thrilled and terrified.  I started off my rotation in the BFR group and was immediately welcomed by attorneys at all levels across the firm. What stood out most was Weil’s commitment to empowering women and, more specifically, the empowerment of women by women. Following the first week of our arrival, all of the female summer associates rotating through…

The mentorship at Weil has surpassed my expectations. Every day I have found that attorneys are willing to take the time out of their schedules to explain their work, have a chat about what I hope to get from this summer, or talk about anything else. Formally, we have our summer siblings, who act as a constant support system throughout the summer. We have lunch with our siblings every Monday, and sometimes join with other pairs of summer siblings. At these lunches and throughout the week we get opportunities to catch up and debrief on how things have been going throughout the summer. Additionally, our summer siblings have great networks…

Although I chose Weil for many reasons — the prestige, the work experience, the high-profile clients — my decision boiled down to the people. I was first exposed to Weil during OCI. While OCI is inherently stressful, my Weil interviews were effortless and enjoyable. My interviewers were intelligent but down to earth, driven but humble and hilarious. After accepting my offer, each interviewer emailed a congratulatory note, requesting I seek them out once the summer began.

In addition to the warm and welcoming environment, one of my dearest discoveries at Weil this summer has been the strong sense of community—both internally and in service to New York. In just the first week, I joined the Weil team at the Wall Street Run & Heart Walk for the American Heart Association and the AIDS Walk New York. At both events, the Weil team had a strong showing of community service and team pride, and every person cheered each other on as we ran (or walked) through Manhattan. The Wall Street Run & Heart Walk brought together summer associates, attorneys, and staff across practice groups, and it was…

Throughout the interview and callback process, it can become difficult to differentiate amongst the many firms that all claim to have the “best” summer associate programs. “Mentorship” is a catchphrase often touted during these sales pitches. However, as early as my first week at Weil, it was readily apparent that Weil does more than talk a good game—they also practice what they preach. Formal mentoring opportunities abound at Weil. Within my first twenty-four hours at Weil, I was provided an incredible support system: a summer sibling (a junior associate serving as my main mentor), an assignment coordinator, an associate mentor from the practice group I’m working in (in addition to…

This week, Weil welcomed the 2018 Summer Associate Class. In the morning of our first day, the Recruitment Department, Summer Program Committee (SPC) Mentors, and associates from different practice groups all took turns welcoming us to the firm. Then, we met our summer siblings, our personal guides to Weil for the summer, for lunch. As we discussed some activities my sibling has planned for us for the summer and the opportunities she has had at the firm so far, it was clear how important mentorship is to both her and Weil. As tradition goes in most first days, at one point we went around the room and introduced ourselves to…

NEW YORK – Moving to New York this summer was bittersweet. Although I was eager to begin my summer associate position, it meant I had to be away from my significant other, my family, and many of my law school friends for three months. I had chosen Weil because it seemed like the best personality fit during the recruiting process, but I was still nervous about having to adapt to life at a large law firm without my loved ones around me. More specifically, I found myself worried about whether I’d be able to keep up the pace with highly experienced attorneys while I had essentially zero business knowledge. It’s…

NEW YORK – My phone rang. The caller was unknown—a New York number I didn’t recognize. On the other end was my Summer Sibling (a more experienced attorney with whom summer associates are paired for the summer) and my first taste of the Weil Difference.

NEW YORK – During my past few weeks at Weil, I have heard from partners and associates that “lawyering is a guild profession”—in order to become a good lawyer, I should closely observe and learn from experienced attorneys. Having had amazing mentoring and observational opportunities this summer, I am convinced that I will be able to truly thrive at Weil.

NEW YORK – From my first interactions with members of Weil’s team, it was clear to me that the firm’s culture emphasized collegiality and approachability. Subsequent exchanges only served to reinforce my initial impressions, and give credence to the firm’s reputation as a dynamic workplace. Although word of Weil’s strength in mentoring summer associates had trickled down to me through law school peers, all manner of firms make similar claims. So I admit to overlooking mentorship as a key consideration when choosing Weil over other firms. Yet from my first day at Weil it was abundantly clear to me that mentorship was no simple catchphrase.