Summer Associates
Every year attorneys from Frost Brown Todd visit a number of law schools and accept resumes from an even larger number of law schools to help us identify suitable candidates for our Summer Associate Program. Our goal in this process is to find those individuals who have the potential for outstanding legal careers and other qualifications that will allow them to make a meaningful contribution to the Firm, our clients and the community.
Frost Brown Todd makes the Summer Associate Program a priority for the entire Firm. We want to make sure each Summer Associate has an opportunity to experience what it is like to be an attorney at Frost Brown Todd. To achieve this goal, we make every effort to see that all Summer Associates are exposed to a wide range of activities, including:
- Contact with Firm clients and visits to client facilities;
- Exposure to the court system;
- Observation of closings, depositions, trials, arbitrations, mediations or oral arguments;
- Opportunities to produce various legal documents that are reviewed and actually used for the benefit of clients;
- Participation in a wide variety of research projects; and
- Opportunities to be exposed to many of the different practice areas within the Firm.
Based on feedback over the years, law students have enjoyed our program and found it to be helpful in learning more about Frost Brown Todd LLC specifically and the practice of law generally.
Assignments
We try to give each Summer Associate an opportunity to experience the practical aspects of practicing law in those areas of law that interest him or her. Our program also has the flexibility to allow Summer Associates who have a particular interest in a specific practice group to emphasize work in that practice group during the summer.
Our Summer Associate Program is designed to challenge you with firsthand experience on a variety of real client projects. You can work directly with Members, Associates and clients on all aspects of a case, hearing or transaction. You may also have the opportunity to be involved in pro bono or other charitable work in the community. The experience of an FBT Summer Associate is not limited to hours of research and writing in our library.
Observation
We work hard to find observation opportunities for our Summer Associates. Even if a Summer Associate is not working directly on a particular matter, attorneys in the Firm are encouraged to include Summer Associates whenever there is an interesting event. For example, our Summer Associates have attended depositions, trials, appellate arguments, arbitrations, mediations, closings, witness preparation sessions, real estate closings, and client presentations, to name just a few. In addition to the observation opportunities, and the work that you do during the summer, you will also get the chance to tour the courts, both Federal and State, and participate in the local bar association’s programs for Summer Associates. You also will be offered a guided tour of a client’s manufacturing facility, which gives you the chance to see how the different practice areas of the Firm are applied to one client and to hear directly from in-house counsel about what he or she needs from outside counsel.
Training
Summer Associates will participate in several formal training programs including:
- Timekeeping and billing
- Legal research and writing
- Negotiation
- Mock depositions
Perhaps the most informative portion of the Summer Associate Program is our weekly “get togethers.” In this forum, you will meet representatives from each of the Firm’s managing committees and our seven departments. These discussions, usually held over breakfast or lunch, allow you the opportunity to meet and talk candidly with the Firm leaders. You also get the chance to explore each area of law practiced by Frost Brown Todd and discover what interests you.
Mentors
To ensure success, provide guidance, and smooth your entry into the Firm and the practice of law, each Summer Associate is assigned an Associate and a Member as mentors. Your mentors will answer questions - both big and small. They can help with the minutia of office practices and the bigger questions about important issues, such as balancing family and work. Mentors are also a great resource for guidance on work assignments.
Social Events
There will be many opportunities throughout the summer for you to get to know both Associates and Members through a variety of informal social events. In addition to office specific outings, several Firm-wide events are planned where all Summer Associates get together for an afternoon of fun. According to previous Summer Associates, these informal gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to experience the personality and culture of Frost Brown Todd.
Feedback
We believe in the importance of both communication from each Summer Associate on the quality of their assignments and our Summer Program and feedback to each Summer Associate on his or her performance and progress over the course of the Summer Program. Throughout the summer, you will receive informal feedback from the assignment coordinator, the assigning attorney or your mentor on your performance in each project. In addition, you will receive a formal evaluation of your performance at the midpoint and conclusion of your summer employment. We encourage Summer Associates to provide comments and feedback on any assignments or the Summer Program to their mentors or the Recruiting Coordinator in that office.
Due to the size and experiences of each of our offices, the structure of the Summer Programs differs slightly from office-to-office.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, transcripts and cover letter indicating your department and geographical interests, via regular U.S. mail, fax or attach as a Microsoft Word document via email to:
Karen Laymance
Director of Attorney Recruitment and Development
Frost Brown Todd
2200 PNC Center
201 E. Fifth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
or
klaymance@fbtlaw.com