Summer@Weil
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Getting Experience by Giving Back
By Michael DentonJuly 29, 2019One of the best parts of my experience as a summer associate at Weil has been the level of involvement in pro bono matters that I’ve gotten to do throughout the summer. Weil attorneys have ample opportunity to give back to the community through various pro bono matters and the firm truly encourages it. Throughout my summer, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various pro bono matters with both junior associates and partners. I was able to attend an oral argument in a courthouse for one of the pro bono matters I was working on, which was one of the highlights of my summer. Some of the most valuable…
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The Weil, Weil White Plains
By Ian HawkesJuly 29, 2019I always heard that I should take advantage of any observational opportunities that I can during the summer program, so when I was invited to sit in on a proceeding in a federal bankruptcy court in White Plains, New York, I was both excited and curious as to what I would experience. My only conception of what actually went on inside a courtroom came from what I learned in law school and T.V. shows, so I really had no idea what it would be like. The appearance and atmosphere of the courtroom was about what I expected, albeit more laid back than courtrooms on television. What surprised me was the…
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Entrepreneurship through Pro Bono
By Bradley BensonJuly 29, 2019My time spent working on a pro bono project at Weil was definitely one of my favorite experiences of the summer. I was given the opportunity to work with an organization that helps under-resourced entrepreneurs build businesses. Working with start-up organizations is not something Weil is usually involved with. This coupling of pro bono and a new area of law for the attorneys involved provided me with a large degree of responsibility that I wouldn’t have been able to get otherwise. For this project I was the first person to research and draft multiple different documents related to the businesses’ Articles of Incorporation and other supplementary documents. Because we were…
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Weil’s Feedback Style
By Karen LuoJuly 29, 2019At Weil, summer associates receive two formal reviews: one in the middle of the summer and one at the end. Our assigned summer partner mentors gather feedback from associates and partners with whom we have worked to ensure that we are learning and contributing our best work. However, our reviews are not limited to two formal reviews. This summer, upon the closing of a transaction, the partner on the matter asked all associates who were on the deal to attend a post-closing discussion. In that discussion, the partner asked the associates and me for feedback. He asked us to opine on what we felt went smoothly with the deal and…
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Weil Believes in You
By Ava MunsonJuly 22, 2019When I began my Corporate rotation at Weil, I was frankly quite nervous. Besides a basic corporations class at law school, I was unfamiliar with corporate law and thus doubted whether I would be able to excel in this rotation. As I tried to unscramble the differences between mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and private funds, I felt self-conscious about my lack of knowledge and so initially held back from asking for help. However, I was lucky to have a very supportive summer sibling (a junior associate mentor) with whom I felt comfortable confiding in and she urged me to simply grab coffees with junior associates and to ask them…
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With a Little Help from Your Friends
By Spencer ShwekyJuly 22, 2019Like 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…
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Observation Is An Education
By Isha AgarwalJuly 22, 2019By 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…
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Nowhere Else I Would Rather Be
By Hanna PakJuly 22, 2019One 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.…
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Community Service: Always WorthWeil
By Emma LightJuly 22, 2019Having never lived in New York, moving to the city for the Summer Program was a bit of a whirlwind. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in a new city, a new job, a new environment. Everything in New York is so fast paced but it’s still important to take a step back and ground yourself during this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is why the summer community service day has been one of my favorite experiences in the Summer Program. Just before the Fourth of July, all Weil summer associates participated in a Weil-organized Free Arts Program. Free Arts NYC empowers underserved youth through art and mentoring programs to develop…
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Diversity at Weil
By Jimmy CaoJuly 22, 2019My summer experience at Weil can be summarized in one word: diverse. Diverse attorneys, diverse experiences and diverse personalities, Weil’s Summer Program offers something new each week. And good thing too – as someone somewhat unsure about what path to take, the Summer Program was structured perfectly for me to get a taste of the terrific practice groups that the firm has to offer. I started in Litigation, spent two weeks in a pro bono externship, and will finish the summer in Business Finance & Restructuring. Though the type of work varies dramatically between each department, the common thread linking my entire experience at Weil is the consistent culture across…
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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Weil and Its Pro Bono Partners
By Margaret VogelJuly 22, 2019Commitment to pro bono was one of the things that I was looking for in firms when I was preparing for OCI – and weighted heavily in my decision to come to Weil. So when I was choosing my rotations I decided to take advantage of the pro bono rotation, which allows summer associates to spend two weeks at one of Weil’s pro bono partners. While on my pro bono rotation, I did research projects related to health justice and environmental justice. I also learned more about how Weil works together with its pro bono partners. At first I was nervous that I might miss out on making connections at…
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One Firm, One Family
By Yoon Hoo LeeJuly 22, 2019As I was driving to work this morning, a dreadful thought hit me all of sudden: I will only get to make this drive for six more days. The Summer Program will come to an end, and I will have to say goodbyes to everyone. Needless to say, it was a very reflective car drive. I thought about what made me so happy to come into work every day. What is it about Weil that gets me so excited on my way to work? I realized it is the people. I am not just talking about the attorneys. It is everyone in the office, from secretaries to paralegals, from IT…
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Commitment to the Community
By Katie ClemmonsJuly 15, 2019During the OCI process, I was focused on finding a firm where I liked the people and where the work would be interesting. Many law students, including myself, want to join law firms that work on exciting cases and high-profile deals, and this summer I have thoroughly enjoyed shadowing attorneys, researching complex legal issues, and developing my writing skills. However, one important aspect of a firm’s culture that many law students overlook during the interview process is the firm’s commitment to serving the community – in legal and non-legal ways. Maybe this is because it is difficult to gauge a law firm’s commitment to service solely through interviews. However, I…
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The Office(mates)
By LindaJuly 15, 2019It is week nine after the July 4th holiday. Normally, I would not be so excited to wake up early after a relaxing weekend, but I was up before my alarm on Monday ready to come to the office. After a sweaty, humid subway ride and a rainy walk to the building, I stepped out of the elevator onto my floor and ran right into the reasons why I could not wait to come to work: my officemates. The summer program at Weil provides every summer associate with an office space, treating us as equal members of the team despite our limited experiences. Many of us share our space with…
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A Weil Variety of Assignments
By Blake SteinbergJuly 15, 2019I was able to work on a wide range of assignments during my Litigation Department rotation, which allowed for a very effective introduction to the department. Over the course of my rotation, I researched issues related to intellectual property, bankruptcy, e-Discovery, privacy, and antitrust law. I also received opportunities to draft different types of documents, including an update to a treatise, two versions of a memo relevant to an ongoing case, material for inclusion in a motion to dismiss, and a slide deck for a presentation to a client. These assignments all provided a great introduction to what the work of a junior associate in the department might involve. Some…
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Weil-dly Prepared
By Gillian BurkeJuly 1, 2019I remember feeling wildly unprepared prior to starting as a summer associate at Weil. I began law school immediately after undergrad, and with little to no work experience under my belt, I wondered how I could prove my value at any job. I quickly came to realize, however, that worrying was a waste of my time. During our first few days at Weil, all summer associates took part in an informative and helpful orientation program, which included computer training, library training, Lexis and Westlaw training, and more. And while this was extremely helpful, what I did not expect was the on-the-job training I have received. I have yet to work…
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The Pro Pro Bono Firm
By Yosef TrachtenbergJuly 1, 2019When I started as a summer associate at Weil, I couldn’t help but notice that virtually every office that I went into had interestingly shaped, crystal desk statues. My curiosity piqued, I saw that the statues had “Pro Bono Award” etched into the glass. Apparently, this award was given to lawyers who had participated in a significant amount of pro bono hours. The ubiquity of these statues was one of my first clues of Weil’s commitment to pro bono. As the summer went on, multiple pro bono opportunities came up. Happy to get involved, I joined to help out with a not-for-profit museum. Over the course of this assignment –…
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Bonding and Learning: Regional Program Day
By Yurui ChenJuly 1, 2019Weil is an international firm with offices across three continents. The fact that cooperation between offices is tight and well-organized is not only manifested in the day-to-day work that we are involved in, but also in the regional program event that takes place every summer, during which summers in other U.S. offices come to the New York office to spend the day together. We had our regional program this Monday, and a series of activities including receptions, presentations and dinner were arranged. I was not surprised to find out that Weil’s collegial culture is consistent among all offices, as I was able to bond with colleagues from other regions almost…
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
By Adam KingJuly 1, 2019This summer has been a fantastic opportunity to explore the world of Big Law. Weil has given me insight into a future filled with excitement, inclusion and growth. I was nervous when I first walked through the doors of the GM building. It seems like it was years ago, when in reality it has only been six weeks. However, those six weeks have been a truly life-changing experience, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for the next chapter. Whether it was going to a Broadway show or watching a superstar in concert, each event has been an excellent learning opportunity to grow within the Weil community.…
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Fun in Private Funds
By Brian IngramJuly 1, 2019One of the great things about the Weil Summer Program is the ability to rotate through more than one department. During my first six weeks, I rotated through the Corporate Department. While you may come in knowing you want to be either transactional or litigation, rotating through multiple groups can open your eyes to new areas of the law or confirm your initial views. Personally, rotating has done both. I came in really interested in the Private Equity practice. Through my experience, I have had the opportunity to listen on phone calls, draft ancillary documents, and learn about the strategy and structure behind high-powered deals. I confirmed my interest in…
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#Winning at Weil
By Kimberly MannausaJune 24, 2019Weil 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…
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Weil Has The X-Factor
By Sara WeissJune 24, 2019From the first moment I interviewed at Weil, I had a gut feeling this place was special. My first impressions have been confirmed and exceeded every day I have spent at Weil this summer. I am a huge fan of singing shows, so I would say that Weil has the “X-factor.” As I have walked down halls, I’ve noticed attorneys have their offices open; it is typical to find attorneys engaged in conversations with each other. Every week the floor I am on has an informal get together where attorneys chat with the summer associates about work and life in general. The environment here is a rare balance between kindness,…
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Passion for Pro Bono
By Dylan SherwynJune 24, 2019During my time at Weil, the firm has consistently demonstrated its passion for pro bono. While many firms promoted their work in this space during the recruiting process, I can confidently say that the pro bono opportunities and experiences Weil has provided my summer associate class is unique compared to my peers at other firms. In addition to hosting a speaker panel featuring several highly accomplished attorneys for us to learn about Weil’s pro bono practice, the firm held a special pro bono client training for my entire summer associate class. By attending this training session, each member of my summer associate class now has the opportunity to participate in…
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Running Weild through Grand Central Terminal
By Nicole JibrineJune 24, 2019Walking into one of the largest law firms in the world as a summer associate, you wonder if you’ll have enough time to meet everyone and interact with all of the practice groups that Weil has to offer. Thankfully, Weil is great at helping summer associates capitalize by creating ample opportunities during and after the workday to facilitate relationships and introductions to practice groups. Beyond day-to-day assignments with practice groups of interest, one of the ways summers are able to meet with partners, associates, and other summer associates is through Summer Program Committee Groups (SPCs). These groups consist of three to four partners that are on the Summer Program Committee…
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Oh the Places You’ll Go
By Stephen JaberJune 17, 2019By 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…
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That’s What Summers Are For
By Spencer FinneyJune 17, 2019Much has been written on this blog already about Weil’s outstanding summer mentorship structure, terrific pro bono opportunities and the substantive work that summer associates are given almost immediately. I completely endorse and affirm all of those posts, but I wanted to write about what has been one of the more surprising and rewarding elements of Weil’s Summer Program – the summer associates themselves. It is a popular stereotype that law students are cutthroat or ruthlessly ambitious, and I think that cliché can extend to the perception of summer associate programs as well. I was probably guilty of believing it myself, so I could not have been more pleasantly surprised…
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Attorney Growth Starts in the Summer Program
By Ali N. HabhabJune 17, 2019Starting 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…
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Pro Bono at Weil
By Sandy HaoJune 17, 2019Weil has an incredibly supportive culture towards pro bono work. During my first sibling lunch, my summer siblings talked about the emphasis the firm places on pro bono work and how encouraging the partners are for associates to take on such assignments. One associate mentioned partners at the firm called him to check on the progress of his pro bono engagements and to encourage him to take on more pro bono assignments. The Innocence Project is a highlight among the many types of pro bono work that Weil does. All the summer associates were invited to a training which gave us detailed instructions on the Innocence Project’s screening process. I…
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Banking on Career Development
By Dominic IacoziliJune 17, 2019Prior to joining the Summer Program, I identified the Banking & Finance practice as a particular interest of mine. Before attending law school, I worked in banking and hoped to build upon this experience in my legal career. Early in my eight-week rotation in the Corporate Department, I was given the opportunity to take on two Banking & Finance assignments. The first assignment allowed me to gain exposure to representing a borrower, whereas my second assignment focused on a lender-side representation. Through these experiences, I gained an introductory perspective for the complexities involved in acting as counsel for sophisticated credit facilities for multi-national corporations. The assignments have confirmed my interest…
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MEMOries
By Emily RossJune 7, 2019Prior to starting this summer at Weil, I did not know what to expect regarding the substance of our assignments. I was prepared to do a lot of legal research and write numerous formal emails. What I did not expect was the depth of work that I received within the first few weeks, and the intriguing matter I would be working on. My first rotation was litigation, and I have been working on a few large cases. While my first week was mainly focused on case law research and drafting formal emails, during my third week, I received an email from a very senior partner, asking me to come meet…
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Weil Corporate: Pro-Business & Pro Bono
By Olivia WalsethJune 7, 2019One of the hundreds of questions I had prior to starting the Summer Program was whether transactional lawyers in the Corporate Department ever have the opportunity to do pro bono work. At most law schools, pro bono work is highly encouraged, and the New York State Bar Association even requires that 50 hours of work be completed before an applicant may be admitted to the Bar. However, in law school, most pro bono opportunities occur in the context of litigation. Because pro bono is such an important part of any law student’s life, I feared that my corporate rotation would present no opportunities to do pro bono work. However, that’s…
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A Little While at Weil
By Tom YuJune 7, 2019It’s early June, and three weeks have passed since the Weil summer program started. While I am constantly awed by the stunning Central Park view, what is more remarkable is the collegiality of Weil New York. From the first day of the program, Weil has sent an unequivocal message that Weil truly values respect, collaboration and friendship. I have felt welcomed by every person I interacted with, whether it be attorneys in or outside of my practice group. Everyone is willing to take time out of his or her busy schedule and go to lunch or coffee with me, give advice on my last year in law school and answer…
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Observing a Weil Oiled Machine
By Avi TennenbergJune 7, 2019The summer associate program has exceeded my expectations, from the numerous lunches and events to the inviting environment amongst the associates. Everyone told me to enjoy the summer associate experience and also get a “feel” for what type of law I want to practice in the future. The balancing act between these two interests has been achieved with both substantive assignments and observational opportunities. Each new project I am staffed on comes with helpful instructions from the associates on the deal. The little things gleaned through the assignments are obviously helpful in becoming a better lawyer, but the greatest experience has been the observational opportunities. Sitting in on meetings with…
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A Worth-Weil Experience
By Justin YunJune 7, 2019There 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…
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The Difference Is in the Details
By Amanda GouldMay 31, 2019An 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…
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A Weil-Rounded Firm
By Emma McBrideMay 31, 2019A little less than a year ago, I came to Weil’s New York office for my Summer Associate interview. Recently, a partner asked me why I decided to come to Weil. I told him I remember walking through the halls with a very prominent partner during my interview and saw the partner greet everyone that walked by and knew many of the administrative staff by name. Although this may seem to be a very inconsequential event, I knew from that moment that this was a firm I wanted to be part of. Everyone was friendly, respectful, and open. I saw with my own eyes that each person at this firm,…
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Meeting the Partners in the Oak Room
By Christopher ChanMay 31, 2019This past week, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet many of the Weil partners during the Summer Program Kick-Off reception. While I had previously met quite a few of the corporate department’s partners over the course of various practice group receptions, lunches, coffees, and assignments, I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to meet Weil partners from across all of the different departments in a more relaxed social setting. I found it invaluable to hear advice from various partners on how to make the most of the summer program and get the best exposure to the firm’s different practice areas during my time here. I fully enjoyed chatting…
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Picking a Practice Group
By Kathryn AdamsonMay 31, 2019Unsure of what practice area I wanted to join at Weil, I worried about having to make that choice at the end of my summer. So, I chose to rotate through three departments – Business Finance and Restructuring (“BFR”), Corporate, and Litigation—in order to try a variety of practice areas. My concerns about choosing a practice area quickly evaporated upon my first rotation with the BFR Group. I was immediately staffed on substantive assignments such as researching novel legal issues, drafting research memos, and helping write portions of a brief. And even though I have no background in bankruptcy, each attorney provided a background of the cases to which I…
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Day in the Life – Expert Deposition Prep
By Brigit CrosbieMay 31, 2019One of the best experiences of my summer associate program so far has been the in depth observational experiences I’ve had. I had the opportunity to sit in on an expert deposition preparation session and it was fascinating to see all the strategy that it entailed. I had the opportunity to read the expert report beforehand, which was dense and complicated. It was amazing to see the skill Weil attorneys had in taking a dense expert report and animating it with human emotion and experience. I was also so impressed at the depth of the understanding the attorneys had about the complexities of the report and their ability to guide…
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Worthwhile Observations at Weil
By Kathryn LeightMay 31, 2019Since the moment I arrived and throughout my first two weeks as a summer associate, I have had several exciting observational assignments related to a complex case. Only moments after arriving on my first day, my assignment coordinator dropped by my office to invite me to attend witness preparation that was about to begin. My first two days were largely spent observing this witness preparation alongside two associates and a partner, with the discussion primarily led by an associate. The following week I observed a deposition taken by an associate. Throughout the last two weeks I have attended multiple conference calls with associates and partners from Weil offices across the…
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You Are What You Say You Are
By Julia DimitradisMay 31, 2019As I write this, I have been at Weil for only 16 days. In that time I have worked on an M&A matter, two capital markets deals (one debt and one equity), and have been staffed on no less than three structured finance projects, not to mention the two pro bono matters I am staffed on. That is eight projects in sixteen days. My contemporaries at other firms have asked how I managed to get on so many things when they are struggling to get one meaningful project. The answer is that I asked for it. On my first day, a group of associates swung by our office to take…
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The Best of Both Worlds at Weil
By Griffin BakerMay 31, 2019During my first year at law school, my classmates told me that summer jobs were a joke. I learned that I would get half-hearted busy work and spend the summer having fun. Well, my fellow students were wrong about the busy work. Weil’s attorneys make sure to give me real and interesting work. I get to sit in on real calls and listen as big deals are put together. A partner even let me take the first stab at drafting a subscription agreement (an agreement to buy shares in a company). What’s so refreshing about Weil’s summer program is how practical it is. As law students, we spend years sitting…
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Welcomed at Weil
By Caitlin HaefnerMay 24, 2019After 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…
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An Expanded Conception of “Pro Bono”
By Kathleen StanaroMay 24, 2019During the many hours of networking and interviewing for EIP, every firm talks up “pro-bono”. By the time we reached Weil this summer I was pretty sure I had a firm grasp on what that term meant: dedicating hours as a lawyer to providing legal services for clients that deserve representation but cannot afford an attorney. Last night I attended one of the many charity events for a pro bono client that Weil supports and realized how incomplete my understanding of pro bono was. I chose to attend that pro bono client event because their specific cause is near and dear to my heart. It was only when I started…
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Summer Assignments: Ask & You Shall Receive
By Kate SwainMay 24, 2019For me, one of Weil’s major selling points was the opportunity to sample rewarding, substantive work across a range of practice areas while centering on your personal interests. Even by week two, I’ve begun to see the firm deliver on that promise. During my second weekly check-in meeting with my assignment coordinator, I mentioned that I would be interested in getting involved in any pro bono cases that are active within the litigation group. Within a few hours, my coordinator got in touch with me to let me know she had added me to the team on an asylum case for the remainder of my litigation rotation. The associate on…
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For Info, Get Informal
By Jonathan Trebble-GreeningMay 24, 2019In just over a week as a summer associate at Weil’s NYC office, I have taken the opportunity with three different associates to grab coffee and learn more about their groups and experiences at Weil. At every event – of which there are many – associates make it a priority to give us information, but they also extend offers to meet more casually to give personalized, one-on-one advice. I have found these more casual conversations to provide a deeper understanding of what work and life look like in certain practice groups and at the firm more generally. Whether it’s someone I’ve met in an elevator bank, or someone I got…
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A Summer of Growth at Weil
By Asher WittyMay 24, 2019As 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…
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Work, Eat (a lot), Social Events, Repeat
By Loren FindlayMay 20, 2019It is only Day 4 of Weil’s Summer Program and I can confidently say that I picked the right place to work. The days have been packed with challenging assignments, friendly faces, fun social events, and delicious lunches with various attorneys at Weil. Initially, I was worried that I would get lost in the shuffle at such a large firm, but those fears quickly faded. Between my summer sibling, the Legal Recruiting Department, my associate and partner mentors, and the social and assignment coordinators, I can virtually turn anywhere to get the help I may need. The summer class is broken up into subgroups that consist of about twenty summer…
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Diversity at Weil
By Austin CoeMay 20, 2019When it comes to diversity, Weil isn’t a firm that just espouses its own virtues. Before interviewing with Weil, I had been impacted by its diversity initiatives. During my first-year summer, I was an intern within the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program and an attendee of Lavender Law—institutions to which Weil donates and recruits from at a top-tier level. Upon arriving at the summer program, I saw one of my LGBTQ+ interviewers had been promoted to partner, and another a member of the Summer Program Committee. Entering a room of over a hundred summer associates, I already had plenty of friends. Not long after OCI, the Firm put together multiple Weil…
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A Weil-Tailored Summer Experience
By Alex XiaoMay 20, 2019The summer associate experience at almost every law firm has two components: the work and the people. We have the opportunity to not only explore what legal work is like at a big law firm, but also get to know the people at the Firm, build mentorships and friendships, and decide whether this is the place where we can become more well-rounded and capable professionals. Four days in, I know Weil has tailored its summer experience to help me achieve just these goals. On the work end, every assignment I have received has been carefully thought through by the supervising attorneys to fit the needs, interest and capability of a…
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Musings on My First Day
By Alex TheuerMay 20, 2019Starting a new job is sometimes intimidating, especially as a summer associate. Weil plans an orientation for your first few days as a summer, which is very well-organized and informative. After that, the summer experience truly begins – and I’m here to tell you about my first day on my own at the Firm. I walked into work that day with no assignments, but I didn’t have to wait long – I hadn’t even reached my office when I saw an email on my phone from my assignment coordinator. I was assigned on three matters and was advised to reach out to the partners and associates I would be working…
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Meaningful Mentorship
By Anna IskikianMay 20, 2019About 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…
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Making Michelangelos
By Jared AllenJuly 2, 2018Weil has an exceptional commitment to corporate citizenship and social responsibility, and this is no more exemplified than in its requirement that the summers participate in community service. This week, I had the chance to work with elementary school kids to make art projects. While it was certainly fun to let loose their creativity, the real inspiration came from spending an afternoon with young people who may have come from very different—and often difficult—backgrounds. Over the course of several hours, we played get-to-know-you games and read about famous architecture and artists which our projects would be centered around. The summer associates helped guide the students in building cityscapes and making…
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Rewarding Summer
By Tanya SmithJuly 2, 2018I picked Weil looking for a firm with great people and a sterling reputation. Looking back, I’m thrilled I made the decision I did. Weil places a premium on training. Associates consistently set aside time to provide detailed feedback on assignments. Within two months, I was running redlines, assisting with drafting agreements, and participating in calls with outside counsel. Partners are also highly invested in training junior associates. After one call, a partner created a virtual classroom. He drew a chart on the whiteboard and asked us questions about stock ownership percentage. I can’t imagine my friends at other firms having this type of hands-on experience. Weil also provides summer associates…
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Rotational Programs Round out Your Legal World
By Ali OlsewskiJuly 2, 2018One of the many advantages of the Weil Summer Associate Program is the ability to choose at least two of the firm’s four overarching departments to rotate through. I chose to complete eight weeks in litigation, followed by four weeks in BFR. During my eight weeks in litigation I have had the opportunity to work on assignments for almost every practice group within the department from Securities Litigation to Products Liability, and Complex Commercial Litigation to Employment. The firm overall has a very collegial culture, and receiving work from the many different litigation groups just elucidated for me that each practice group has its own unique personality that matches the…
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Lost in a Sea of Hors d ‘Oeuvres
By David KellamJuly 2, 2018It’s likely—probably guaranteed—that an incoming summer associate will begin their time at a firm completely lost, with no grasp on the essentials of practicing law or even the rudiments of the work around which their summer will revolve. I was certainly this incoming summer, largely directionless, interested in every practice area, and prepared for a confusing journey from one to the other. However, I can’t imagine a firm better handling my initial confusion than Weil did. On day one, the attorneys made it very clear that they too were in our shoes, and more importantly, that they remember it. I never felt as though I was talking to a supervisor,…
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Stepping into the Ring with Weil: Real Work, Real Community
By Elaina AquilaJuly 2, 2018Within my first weeks at Weil I already felt I was a member of the team: from answering substantive questions regarding attorney-client privilege that were needed from a litigation team headed into depositions to drafting sections of a pro bono brief that was due in just a few days. I got to do a variety of work, even draft a memo that would eventually be sent to a client, meet with numerous associates, and see my work product used and discussed by partners. But, being part of the community at Weil goes way beyond the amazing work I felt privileged to do. It is my “summer sibling” who goes above…
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“Empowered Women Empower Women”
By Mary SerajJune 25, 2018We 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…
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Mentorship from Every Angle
By Sarah LipinskiJune 25, 2018The 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…
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Genuine Matters, Genuine People
By Kaitlin BondJune 25, 2018Before beginning my summer associate experience at Weil, I had little idea of what to expect or how I would fare working at a top tier firm. I soon came to realize that Weil is much more than its headline deals. While the matters and work at Weil are nothing short of exciting, the partners and associates at Weil also genuinely care about summer associates’ experiences, both inside and outside of the office. During the first half of my summer, I had the opportunity to work directly with a partner, receiving substantive feedback. I also worked on and saw a deal through from start to closing, and was treated by the…
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The Weil Difference
By Jason KligJune 25, 2018My summer experience has been nothing short of amazing. During the day, I get to work on newspaper-headlining deals, enjoy partner lunches at great restaurants in midtown, consume copious amounts of coffee with full-time attorneys, and appreciate the beauty of Central Park while having lunch with other summer associates. At night, I get to attend social events such as our Summer Kick-Off Reception in the Oak Room, a night of bowling at Bowlmor, a ping-pong tournament at SPiN, and a cocktail making class at the Wren. The one constant that has made each assignment I have worked on and each event I have attended so amazing is how great the…
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We Are All on the Same Team
By Ryan WalkerJune 25, 2018While there are plenty of Weil summer social events that I have truly enjoyed, I believe that it is the genuine interest that the partners and associates have expressed in helping me shape my future career at Weil that has been the most rewarding experience for me thus far. As I close out my first six week rotation in the Corporate Department I cannot believe the opportunities that I have had. In the past six weeks I have had pleasure of working directly with several partners including the head of the Banking & Finance practice and the head of the entire Corporate Department. Every partner I have worked with thus…
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Five-Star Reviews: Formal and Informal Feedback
By Molly MacDougallJune 25, 2018BOSTON – During orientation, we learned that we would have two formal reviews during the summer – one halfway through and one at the end, in addition to receiving feedback on each assignment in real time. The last few weeks flew by, and last week brought midsummer reviews for the summer associates in the Boston office. While I was nervous about sitting down with my reviewing partner and discussing my work, I really did know what to expect, because I had been able to debrief assignments with people along the way. The partner began my review with a discussion of why the firm values having multiple formal reviews every year.…
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The Six-Week Mark
By Katie LeeJune 18, 2018BOSTON – It’s hard to believe that this week marks the halfway point of our summer at Weil. The past six weeks have flown by. The biggest takeaway of the summer so far has been the way in which the Boston Weil office fosters a learning environment for the summer associates. One of the most immediate things I noticed upon joining the Boston office was its genuine culture of mentorship and collegiality. Any anxiety I had coming into the summer was quickly overcome by the welcoming, friendly, and supportive office environment.
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Two-Week Summer Pro Bono Externship at Weil
By Basil WilliamsJune 18, 2018Earlier this summer, I did a pro bono externship for two weeks, where I assisted on housing cases. Weil provides summer associates with the opportunity to do pro bono work for two weeks over the summer in another legal organization. In my externship, I had the opportunity to write a brief, draft a complaint, conduct an intake interview with a client, observe oral argument in a New York Supreme Court case, attend hearings in Housing Court, and research housing policy in New York City.
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Not Just Another Screener
By Rachel LowitzJune 18, 2018Although 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.
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Weil and Its Inclusion
By MJ KooJune 18, 2018When I looked back at my past six weeks at Weil, I was amazed to see how each week has been incredibly dynamic on its own and full of meaningful interactions. Indeed, it has been a busy summer for me. I have finished my rotation in the firm’s Business Finance & Restructuring group, where I contributed to the Bankruptcy Blog. There have also been frequent coffee meetups, lunches, and work events that I got to attend to meet fellow summers, associates, and partners. Yet amid the adrenaline rush, I saw a clear common thread that connected all my experiences here at Weil: inclusion.
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Open Conversations in a Crowded Park
By Jacob Roman CardinalMay 28, 2018NEW YORK – Humidity, blaring sun and an over-crowded Central Park; this hardly seems to be a winning combination for a social event. But those factors, combined with great conversation, open discussion and authenticity from associates across the firm did in fact make for an impactful start to my summer at Weil. Weil participates in the annual New York City AIDS walk. As an LGBTQ individual, I appreciate the support the firm gives in participating in this and other causes. As a summer associate, I also appreciate what I learned about life at Weil from those I walked with in the park that day. Before starting my summer at Weil…
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Initial Public Offering Observational
By Shelby AndersonMay 28, 2018During my first week at Weil this summer, I was given the opportunity to observe a drafting session, where Weil attorneys, our client, the banks and their attorneys all worked together to finalize the SEC filings for our client’s initial public offering. Not only was I able to sit in on the session and observe, I was asked to take notes on the changes being made to the original draft. Later, my notes ended up being used by the attorneys during the final stages of edits. It was incredible to be trusted to meet and interact with our clients, as well as to feel included and useful in the process.…
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A Flexible Approach
By Jason GeorgeMay 28, 2018The beginning of summer at Weil comes with a variety of emotions—anticipation, eagerness, excitement, curiosity, and more. Prior to coming to Weil, we all heard stories about what it is like to be a summer associate, but no one can fully appreciate what it feels like to be a summer associate, until you are one. After two weeks, I now understand why a summer associate position may be difficult to pin down. Here at Weil, you have the ability to design your own experience based on your personal interests. Everyone’s summer experience is different. A summer associate has the opportunity to rotate through multiple departments—be it Litigation, Corporate, Business Finance…
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Mentorship and Open Door Policy
By Alan WenMay 28, 2018“Please feel free to stop by my office or call me if you have any question about anything. We are here to help you. Our doors are always open.” When I interviewed during OCI last year, people often threw buzzwords like “collegial” and “supportive” to describe their firm. Those words are easier said than done. My experiences at Weil have confirmed that they really live up to their commitment to diversity and openness. Partners and senior associates in the BFR group reiterated the “open door” policy at the group orientation. To be honest, at first I was hesitant to believe that doors are truly open in a fast-paced international law…
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A Great Learning Experience So Far
By Kyle JacksonMay 28, 2018Since arriving at Weil three weeks ago, I have been rotating through the Tax Department. It has so far been a great learning experience, thanks to the high-quality mentorship I have received. Most of my time has been spent on two ongoing transactions. In each, the lawyers involved have done an excellent job of conveying to me the big picture of the deal: who the parties are, what our client hopes to achieve, and how the tax law interacts with these goals. They have also included me in important correspondence with clients and opposing counsel, which is a helpful way to learn about the practical aspects of successfully executing a…
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The OCI Dance – A Success?
By Lois AhnMay 21, 2018It has been almost a year since I participated in on-campus recruiting, OCI, as a rising 2L. I recall the month of August being very stressful. After submitting my OCI bid list on simplicity, I crossed my fingers and prayed to the OCI gods to give me as many screener interviews as possible. While I was pretty happy with the number of screeners I was able to lock down, what followed was a litany of 20-minute interviews. During each interview, I would sit for twenty minutes, give the same elevator pitch that I had prepared and rehearsed the night before, and listen while the interviewer described his/her firm using the…
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Summer Observational
By Beau BaumannMay 21, 2018On the first day of my second week I was given an observational assignment that took me to a Manhattan courthouse with one of Weil’s lead trial attorneys. I was given the chance to ride to and from the courthouse in close proximity to three of Weil’s attorneys as they prepared for a difficult motion argument. The argument itself was flawless, the other summer associate who came along and I were both left speechless at the immaculate performance that the partner gave. Half way through opposing counsel’s argument the partner turned around and mouthed what appeared to be my name. I pointed my thumb back at myself confused and hoping…
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Community in Service
By Isabelle SunMay 21, 2018In 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…
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My Weil Experience
By Liora SchiffMay 21, 2018I chose Weil because of the quality of the Firm and the people that drive the Firm, and my experience thus far has only reinforced the accuracy of my first impressions. From my very first week, I have worked on incredibly exciting cases and I have been greatly inspired by the people I have encountered. In the few weeks since I have been here, it has quickly become clear to me that Weil has perfected the balance of delivering excellent work product that is created by passionate, caring and genuine people. Weil strives to make its “summers” feel welcome and treats us as members of the team from day one.…
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Putting the “Me” in Mentorship
By Jonathan D’ErricoMay 14, 2018Throughout 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…
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Weil: A Culture of Respect and Flexibility in the Face of Change
By Leah SingerMay 14, 2018From day one of my internship, it was evident that the importance of maintaining positive interpersonal relationships is deeply embedded in Weil’s DNA. The values of the firm are constantly conveyed and replicated: trust, communication, and accessibility. Within Weil, there are extensive mentoring relationships; an attorney fondly explained to me that she still works closely with her mentor from her law school summer internship. I am recently engaged to be married, and a partner, after congratulating me profusely, quickly assured me that it wouldn’t be a problem to get married during my first few months at Weil: “After all, that’s what I did!” No doubt, the attorneys of Weil work…
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A Warm, Weil Welcome
By Carolina VelardeMay 14, 2018This 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…
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Old & New: Friendly Faces All Around
By Alexandra RoseMay 14, 2018At the Weil offer dinner in DC, I immediately made eye contact with a friend from my 1L section. We both had the same thought—if Weil also wants to hire you, this has to be a great place. Thankfully, we both accepted and our thought process could not be more accurate. After my screening interview during OCI I wrote, “GREAT meeting” on my Weil folder and throughout the interview process I kept meeting people who I really liked on a personal level and found impressive on a professional level. I was confident that I made the right choice in Weil, but there was a small worry that I had been…
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Making the Right Choice
By Omar Abdel-HamidMay 14, 2018The day after I finished my 1L summer internship, I began the long and stressful process of interviewing for my 2L summer associate position. As the first in my family to attend law school, I had no idea how to differentiate between any of the firms I was fortunate enough to interview with, and I frankly felt very clueless. Having convinced myself the only way I could make the right decision was to learn everything about each firm, I dedicated hours to researching every possible detail. But after all my effort, I just had a feeling that Weil was the right choice for me. One week in to the summer…
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First Impressions
By Nathan MontaltoJune 5, 2017NEW YORK – It seems strange that a little under a year ago I accepted my offer to spend my summer at Weil. After the whirlwind that is the on campus hiring process—and after having met what feels like hundreds of attorneys at dozens of firms—I felt certain that Weil was the place for me. Everyone I met throughout the hiring process was so clearly engaged in the process and passionate about both the work and the people at Weil.
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Classroom Teacher to Weil Summer Associate
By Josh Van KirkJune 3, 2017NEW YORK – I came to Weil after spending 15 years working in various roles in education, including as a classroom teacher in both Baltimore and New York City. In that work, one of my primary responsibilities was to build capacity and confidence in my students so they could approach novel concepts critically. In optimal scenarios, my role would be to facilitate and guide independent learning as opposed to conveying a prescribed knowledge set.
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All Rise
By Salam Sheikh-KhalilJune 2, 2017NEW YORK – Early in my Litigation rotation, I told my assignment coordinator that I wanted to go to court. A few days later, an associate popped her head into my office. “Would you like to attend an appellate argument?” I scribbled a maze of facts on my notepad as she rapidly described an upcoming case. Ten minutes later, I was pulled into an intense meeting about the case, then handed a thick briefing binder. “Don’t forget your suit on Tuesday!” On Tuesday, we took the subway down to the courthouse, a grand building with soaring columns and an exquisitely-ornate courtroom. Several arguments preceded ours—criminal, child custody, insurance, and mortgage…
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The Secret to Legal Success: Commitment to Pro bono
By Alex ChelesnikJune 1, 2017NEW YORK – Every Wednesday at the Firm, the summer associates gather in the dining room for lunch and an installment in the Summer Speaker Series. Each week we hear from a panel of Weil lawyers, who are passionate about a certain aspect of firm life. This week featured the firm’s Pro bono Counsel, Miriam Buhl, and a team of lawyers working on a high profile First and Fourteenth Amendment pro bono case lead by Pro bono Committee member and litigation partner Steven Reiss. If you’ve ever met Steve, you know he tells it like it is, and the advice he had for the summer class was this: “All good…
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From Teen Vogue to Weil
By Jillian RichardsonMay 31, 2017NEW YORK – Within my first two weeks at Weil, I landed an assignment with the Technology and IP Transactions (TIPT) group where I was tasked with drafting licensing language of a new contract for a client. At first, the prospect of writing a passage containing the right type of language was daunting—contract legalese is far from intuitive—but the associate with whom I was working, sent me some examples of previous contracts and we talked over some of the main points together. She then sent me out the door and I was on my own, ready to write my first (fragment of a) contract. Soon we had a meeting with…
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Mentors and Friends at Weil
By Harris AhmadMay 30, 2017NEW 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…
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Work Assignments
By Thomas FormanMay 29, 2017NEW YORK – Arriving in New York for my summer at Weil, I was very anxious to learn what types of assignments we would be working on. While I had a general sense of the practice areas that interested me, I really wanted to explore different groups, while at the same time receiving substantive work in those groups in which I had the most interest. Quickly upon starting my summer, I came to realize that this was exactly what I would be able to do at Weil. Starting the first week, I was assigned a combination of substantive assignments, along with some observational experiences that were truly incredible. The associates…
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The Weil Difference
By Michael ZavagnoMay 26, 2017NEW 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.
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Something Special
By Frank UngererMay 24, 2017NEW YORK – From sitting on calls with the SEC to observing a partner argue before the Second Circuit, my assignments thus far at Weil have been the paradigm of substance. It is the end of the second week of my litigation rotation, and I have yet to receive an assignment that I felt was menial or “busy work.” The Litigation Department has been consistently busy which translates into meaningful summer assignments that actually impact case direction. My case teams not only prepare me to effectively complete my work, but also include me on matters that are solely for my own benefit. I already feel like a valued member of…
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Tax – Not Just Observational
By Mikaela (Zhiying) FengMay 23, 2017NEW YORK – My Weil summer started in the Tax Department. Having taken several tax classes in law school, I came into the rotation with passion and curiosity for the subject. My first assignment was to give a presentation (with a partner and an associate) to the entire Tax Department. Imagine how nervous I was to present something that I did not know anything about to all the experienced partners and associates. The support and training provided by my colleagues (inside and outside the department) really helped me through the process. The research training helped me understand the codes, regulations, revenue rulings and court cases on point; the feedback from…
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Mentors Galore
By Michael Adams Jr.May 22, 2017NEW YORK – Weil does an amazing job making sure summer associates feel welcome. Coming to such a large firm reminds me of the first day of undergrad: exciting, yet nerve-wrecking. Partners are the professors, associates are upper classmen, and everyone in between is also crucial to the success of the firm or university. In school, I remember the relief I felt when a kind student offered to walk me to my first class after seeing the confusion on my face while looking at a campus map. The only difference with Weil is that I have a multitude of people walking me to class; better yet, I never even needed…
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Commitment to Mentorship
By Jake MeningaMay 18, 2017NEW YORK – The feeling of starting work in a new environment can be a daunting one. Luckily, the summer program at Weil quickly eases any such anxieties by rapidly immersing you into an exciting, fast-paced environment where you are given the opportunity to do substantive work right away. On my first day in the Corporate Department, my assignment coordinator asked me for two practice areas in which I wanted to work, and by the next morning, he had arranged assignments for me with both of them. Upon joining the deal teams, I learned that the associates and partners were willing to entrust me with the same work that a…
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Weil Gives Back
By Angelo LabateMay 16, 2017NEW YORK – From day one at the Firm, I have been consistently impressed with the level of engagement that Weil has with the greater New York community. Weil’s spirit of giving back to the community has not only been on full display during the summer but summer associates are invited to participate in the amazing array of activities with which the firm is involved. Early on in the summer a group of Weil attorneys, staff, and summers participated in the AIDS Walk in Central Park. Not only was it a beautiful day for a walk in the park, but it also was really inspiring to see all of the…
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The Weil Family
By Bilal ChaudhryMay 15, 2017NEW YORK – The On-Campus Interview Program is a daunting, hectic, and worrying process for most law students. For me, it was no different. Managing multiple interviews in the span of an hour is challenging, but differentiating firms from one another seemed impossible. That quickly changed when I interviewed with Weil. From my very first interactions with members of Weil’s team, the Firm’s cordiality and sincerity made an immediate impression on me. When it came time for me to make a decision, Weil was in a league of its own. Put differently, I have never had an easier decision to make in law school. In my subsequent interactions with Weil’s…
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Summer Associates at Weil Are Given Real Work
By Kaela DahanAugust 4, 2016NEW YORK – Anticipating my experience as a summer associate at Weil, I often wondered what types of assignments I’d get to work on. I thought, given my little experience, that I would only be assigned small, discrete research assignments that would be of little significance to the case. Well, as the summer draws to a close, I can affirmatively state that I thought wrong. Summer associates at Weil are given real work, tasks that are typically assigned to junior associates, so that they can truly experience what it is like to be a first-year associate at the firm.
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Weil’d about Hands-On Training
By Lauren ColeAugust 2, 2016NEW YORK – My summer at Weil has been an incredible experience with wonderful people. From the Beyoncé concert to the summer department events, socially there is never a dull moment. But even more remarkable at the firm are the training opportunities available to summers. In particular, I enjoyed participating in a deposition skills workshop.
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Work Assignments and the “Observational”
By Derek NamerowAugust 1, 2016NEW YORK – Before starting at Weil in May, I often wondered what the work assignments were going to be like as a summer associate. Would they be substantive or menial? Challenging or straight-forward? Plentiful or scarce? Would I be able to get a true sense of the work in many of the different practice groups?
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Pro Bono Opportunity
By William SmithJuly 29, 2016NEW YORK – Weil’s dedication to pro bono is one of the things that brought me to this firm. Weil offers summer associates in New York the opportunity to take a two-week externship where you are placed to work with a non-profit organization.
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A True Taste of Weil
By Natasha PatelJuly 28, 2016NEW YORK – Summer days drifting away to oh oh those law school nights . That was one of the lines from a play on the song Summer Nights my team performed at Weil’s Regional Weekend on July 14 – one of the highlights of my summer experience. Regional Weekend is hosted in Weil’s New York office and is a way for summer associates and associates across offices to spend some time interacting and getting to know one another. The weekend was full of activities such as the Weil Challenge, dinners and live band karaoke. As a summer associate, I was able to meet partners, associates and fellow summer associates…
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One Firm: Not Just a Catchy Buzzword at Weil
By Joe FerrariJuly 27, 2016SILICON VALLEY – I would be willing to bet that most (if not all) summer associates have heard reference to the “one firm” nature of Weil at some point this summer. I heard it last summer during our regional weekend and again this summer when Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf visited the Silicon Valley office. This summer proved to me just how committed Weil is to its one firm principle.
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Observational Assignments
By Elisabeth McMorrisJuly 26, 2016NEW YORK – Sitting in your law school classroom only prepares you so much for the reality of working as a lawyer. We know that as students, but the next question is: how do you learn more about the day-to-day life of a corporate lawyer? The answer I was told – and one that I have found to be true – is by “doing and seeing” the work. This was one of the reasons I was most excited to spend my summer at Weil.
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Giving Back at Weil
By Joseph MaurantonioJuly 22, 2016NEW YORK – On Friday, July 8, Weil held a community service day for the summer associates. This was in addition to a number of community engagement and pro bono activities that we have engaged in this summer, and I was excited to see what the day would entail. We partnered with Free Arts NYC to host a fun-filled day of arts and crafts for underserved children currently living in local homeless shelters.
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We1L Exposure
By John ChristiansonJuly 21, 2016DALLAS – As a 1L with no previous law firm experience, I had two goals for my summer at Weil: to gain exposure to as many practice areas as possible, and to learn what I value in a firm. That is, to discover what I want to do and where I want to do it. And in the past weeks, Weil has made the answers to these questions easy to obtain.
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An Open Door Policy
By Isaac BateJuly 20, 2016NEW YORK – People often say figuratively that their door is always open – but the attorneys at Weil really mean it. Before this summer, I’d barely stepped inside a large law firm, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The image in my mind, though, of an intimidating, library-like atmosphere was a far cry from the open, collaborative environment that I found.
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Succeeding @Weil
By Matthew HutchinsonJuly 19, 2016NEW YORK – The summer program at Weil has been filled with opportunities to engage in candid conversations with associates and partners about their career paths to this point. As a rising 2L, new to the law firm environment, social events are an excellent way of getting to know people outside of the office. As a diverse student, I found that the events planned by the various affinity groups show how Weil values diversity in many different ways.
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Externing in the Bronx
By Glen ForsterJuly 15, 2016NEW YORK – Every morning for the last two weeks, instead of walking ten minutes down 58th Street to Weil’s office, I have trekked on the 6 to the Bronx where I go to my pro bono externship at a small non-profit called Start Small Think Big. My externship is well worth the extra commute time–it has honed my legal skills while giving me a new perspective on corporate law.
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Diversity & Inclusion at Weil
By Kathleen ConleyJuly 14, 2016BOSTON – Weil’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion was one of the aspects of the firm that most impressed me during the application process last summer. As the legal industry continues to prioritize these values, Weil stood out to me as a champion in the field, due to the firm’s inclusive culture, which dates back to its founding. As a summer associate, I have experienced the firm’s dedication to diversity and inclusion firsthand through participation in one of the firm’s affinity groups, Women@Weil, and most recently by attending one of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee’s events, the Judges Panel Speaker Series.
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Top Chefs
By Cliff SonkinJuly 13, 2016NEW YORK – To be completely honest, being a 1L summer associate at a big firm can be intimidating, even for those of us with significant prior work experience. Armed with a good grade in contracts, one may feel more confident participating in the market, negotiating a lease or trading promises for peppercorns. Yet your first few weeks in big law, you’re suddenly thrown into a world not of contracts and consideration, but of structured finance, bankruptcy and complex corporate transactions. You move from trading peppercorns to stuffing them into special purpose machines, exchanging spices with other restaurants to hedge against future shortages and seasoning the food of every patron…
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The Team Effort
By Nicole ComparatoJuly 9, 2016MIAMI – As I hopped down the final stretch of grass in my potato sack, I was eager to reach the finish line and join my Weil colleagues in celebrating an impressive relay race victory. Shortly after high fives were exchanged, I realized we were also celebrating another milestone at the office-wide picnic: the halfway point of the summer program.
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Joining the Call: Insight on Client Relationships
By Carlin O'DonnellJuly 8, 2016NEW YORK – Last summer, Weil was recommended to me as a firm that partners with its clients. As I prepared my bids for on-campus interviews, a previous employer noted that Weil never felt like outside counsel. Rather, Weil always positioned itself as a member of the organization and each particular matter’s team. And the work product, I was told, always reflected this team-oriented, collaborative approach. This summer, the opportunity to join partners and associates on client calls and in negotiations with counter-parties allowed me to confirm these points first-hand.
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Dedication to Nurture
By Julian (Boyuan) ZhongJuly 7, 2016NEW YORK – “We are here to help you learn. Truly feel free to ask us anything you don’t understand.” The partner and the associates were looking at me, eager to explain everything about the deal to the most junior person on the team. I asked my question and listened carefully to their answers, feeling like a small boat that was being guided by the lighthouse on its very first sail.
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How I Chose Weil and Why I’m Glad I Did
By Anais NingJuly 6, 2016DALLAS – Weil is a firm marked by its attorneys’ and staffs’ genuine sense of community and true enjoyment of each other and their work. In choosing a firm as a 2L, I had been lost in the process of numerous interviews around the country with many excellent law firms. Yet in the midst of distinguished firms, Weil stood out in its commitment to a one firm culture that fosters dedication to developing the professional capacities of its associates.
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Summer Program Committee Groups at Weil
By Larissa LucasJuly 5, 2016NEW YORK – From my very first interactions with Weil attorneys, I have been consistently impressed with the Firm’s culture and the emphasis placed on collegiality, teamwork and mentorship. I am happy to report that more than halfway through the Summer Program, my expectations regarding these aspects of the Firm’s culture have not only been met, but exceeded. One aspect of Weil’s Summer Program that is integral to facilitating this is our Summer Program Committee (“SPC”) Groups.
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Coming Together
By Thaddeus LopatkaJuly 1, 2016NEW YORK – “Coming together is a beginning; working together is progress; keeping together is success.” This famous line by Henry Ford perfectly describes how the summer program fosters the collaborative atmosphere that distinguishes Weil.
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Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels
By Anthony ZangrilloJune 30, 2016NEW YORK – While diligently working on assignments during my rotation through Weil’s Tax department, I received an email about an exciting event open to summer associates. The firm had reserved a limited number of spots for “¡Qué rico! Celebrating Latino Cuisine & Culture: The 31st Annual Chefs’ Tribute to Citymeals on Wheels.” Glancing at the event’s website, I was shocked by the roster of culinary legends scheduled to appear. Some of the expert chefs included Wolfgang Puck, Masaharu Morimoto, Scott Conant, Jean-Gorges Vongerichten and Mark Forgione. Some of the chefs traveled from as far as Chile, Colombia and Cuba. Quickly reserving my spot, I was lucky to receive one…
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Midpoint Reflections
By Anna HunanyanJune 29, 2016BOSTON – Over the past six weeks at Weil, the summer associates in the Boston office have had the opportunity to experience the collegial culture at Weil while getting substantive exposure to deal work. Although the attorneys ensure that we are thoroughly enjoying the summer experience by initiating frequent outings and lunches, they also keep us busy and involved in interesting and rewarding projects.
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Running “Weil’d” at the Wall Street Run and Heart Walk
By Mario CarrollJune 28, 2016NEW YORK – I consider myself to be a health-conscious person. I’ve been active in organized sports and independent workouts since elementary school. After completing the Wall Street Run and Heart Walk—as I wandered amongst the participants and caught my wind alongside others from the firm—I felt pride in seeing that my values are actively embraced as a part of life at Weil.
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A Taste of My Summer at Weil
By Alexander WalshJune 24, 2016NEW YORK – Working at Weil this summer has been an incredible experience filled with invaluable exposure to a variety of practice areas and groups. I just finished a four week Corporate Department rotation, where I got a taste of many different practice groups. Since there is much to do and see within a limited amount of time, Weil allows summer associates to sample the large number of practice groups by utilizing something that everybody loves: food.
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Transparency
By Hancen YuJune 23, 2016NEW YORK – Every morning when I walk out of the elevator on the 30th floor of the iconic GM building, I see giant glass windows on each side of the corridor, through which I can get a nice view of the city and Central Park. The office, which has been newly renovated, is very spacious and bright. Most of the office furniture is in silver, white or gray. The corridor and the rooms are partitioned by frosted glass walls and doors. All of the design speaks of a central value of the firm: transparency.
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Mentoring at Weil
By Deul LimJune 22, 2016NEW 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.
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Meaningful Training
By Laura ChristyJune 22, 2016BOSTON – Over the past several weeks at Weil, we’ve had numerous training sessions on topics ranging from the basics of private equity to the ins and outs of purchase agreements. During each training, the associates and partners take the time to provide the big picture as well as practical insight into the role of a junior associate on each stage of a deal.
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Week Four Reflection
By Jennifer LauJune 20, 2016NEW YORK – They say time flies when you are having fun, but I can hardly believe that it has already been almost four weeks since I started working at Weil. It has truly been a whirlwind – the Weil summer program strikes a balance of substantive work, where you get a grasp of the expectations for your work at a firm, and social events, where the informal setting allows you to get a sense of how people interact with each other.
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On the Other Side
By Jonathan ConradJune 17, 2016DALLAS – I was excited about the opportunity to work at Weil this summer. After completing undergraduate degrees in Finance and Economics, I spent two years working in banking. During this time, I found that I was most interested in the legal issues that arose during financial deals, so I decided to follow that passion to law school. My experience as a Summer Associate has begun to teach me how to “think like a lawyer” in a way that cannot be taught in a classroom. Seeing Weil attorneys balance difficult negotiations and clients’ needs has given me a greater appreciation for what that actually means. It requires more than just…
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What Law School Can’t Teach You
By Katie HernandezJune 16, 2016NEW YORK – The most seminal experience I have had since starting as a summer was attending a court hearing. I arrived at the courtroom early, excited for my first experience in court. I sat behind the wooden desk where the Weil team would carefully arrange stacks of meticulously annotated papers and binders. In law school, so much time is spent studying and discussing cases in the abstract that it is easy to lose sight of the purpose and reality of the judicial process. However, once I heard, “All rise,” and the judge entered the room, my studies in law school gained new perspective.
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Engrained in Weil’s Culture
By Kathleen ConleyJune 15, 2016BOSTON – On my first day in Weil’s Boston office, I attended a presentation by a partner on the firm’s pro bono work. I listened as he described the firm’s belief that, as attorneys, it is our obligation and privilege to volunteer our skills to the most vulnerable in our society in need of legal representation. I learned that the firm has a goal for each attorney to perform at least 50 hours of pro bono work a year and that the Boston office was the recipient of Weil’s Pro Bono Cup for commitment to service this year. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until I was staffed on a pro bono assignment…
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Social Events
By John ChristianJune 14, 2016DALLAS – Over the course of our first three weeks at Weil, social events have been just as great as the work assigned to us. We have been rock climbing, had dinner at a partner’s house, sung karaoke and even attended a Texas Rangers baseball game. Our calendars for the coming weeks are no less full: a Drake concert, bowling and a casino night. Weil’s emphasis on social events in the summer associate program reflects an inescapable reality of the dynamics of working at a law firm: professional life in today’s workplace involves not only an active schedule in the office, but also an active calendar after hours. In like…
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Why Weil?
By Lauren SkerrettJune 10, 2016NEW YORK – The people at Weil are what make this firm truly remarkable. I first interacted with Weil attorneys during an on-campus reception my first semester and, instantly, I clicked with the attorneys I met. They all had pleasant and engaging personalities! Although we discussed the general “research checklist” of things to inquire about when meeting attorneys at potential firms, what I remembered most was that our conversation included a fair amount of laughter. One piece of advice I received about the job search process is to place a high premium on the personality of a firm and the people that work there. Could I envision spending my working…
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My Introduction to Weil
By Michael WyszkowskiJune 9, 2016NEW YORK – Within my first couple of weeks in Weil’s summer program, I have already had the opportunity to work on several assignments, meet numerous associates and partners, and develop a deep appreciation for firm culture. Starting at a major law firm can be challenging, yet Weil has made that transition more than manageable. Everyone I have worked with has been exceptionally accessible and helpful. If I struggle with part of an assignment or would like feedback or guidance, I always feel comfortable asking for help. Better yet, I have always received the help I asked for.
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#WORKCULTURE #THEWEILWAY
By Jackson MejiaJune 8, 2016NEW YORK – While deciding where to summer at, I spoke with many people about how to make sure I picked the right firm for me. During this process, I made it clear that while I was looking to work at a firm that handled some of the most complicated legal matters, I was also looking for a firm whose culture valued individuality and fostered a truly collegial work environment. A typical response to my inquiry was that what I was looking for did not exist. The large New York firms, capable of providing me with work on the types of matters I desired, were also notorious for having uptight…
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First Assignments
By James Pierre-LouisJune 7, 2016NEW YORK – My first weeks at Weil have gone by so quickly! It has been an amazing experience. These weeks have reaffirmed what I already knew: I made the right decision by choosing Weil. My assignment coordinator does a great job of giving me assignments according to my preferences. So far, I have worked on a variety of challenging and interesting assignments from different practice groups. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about the various practice groups and network with the attorneys in each. I have written a couple of memos on securities and employment litigation issues, attended client meetings, and presented my research to the partner on the case.
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Mentorship at Weil
By Nour BargachMay 27, 2016NEW 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.
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Keep Calm and Rotate
By Elisabeth AllisonMay 27, 2016NEW YORK – In our legal education and the beginning of our careers, it can feel as though we need to know exactly what we want to do in our careers and make all of the perfect decisions to set us down the right path. But talk to any experienced attorney and you’ll be told careers take unexpected turns and you might end up in a place you never imagined. Weil recognizes this universal truth and has set up a department rotation system to help each summer associate make the most out of his or her summer. There are four departments to pick from: Business Finance & Restructuring, Corporate, Litigation,…
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Observational Experience
By Patrick BransonMay 27, 2016NEW YORK – Some of the first advice I received as an incoming summer associate was to try to get a chance to observe what partners and associates do on a daily basis. Seeing what partners and associates actually do is the best way to find out if a certain practice group is right for you. Further, many of the daily activities of partners and associates are never covered in classes, but are centrally important to success in the practice of law. During my first week at the firm, I was assigned to a case team in the litigation department. The associates working on the case quickly welcomed me and…
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First Week at Weil!
By Meggin BednarczykMay 27, 2016NEW YORK – They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and this statement couldn’t possibly have more accuracy than when describing my first week at Weil. As one of more than seventy summer associates, I completed a day of training and orientation before hitting the ground running – I received my first assignment the morning of my second day here. Over the course of my first week, I have had the opportunity to observe partner-client calls, conduct research for a corporate transaction and complete a due diligence assignment. I couldn’t be happier with the nature of the work I’ve been assigned. Many firms tell their summers that they will…