Although McCormick Barstow is organized into three practice groups, Summer Associates are not assigned to a particular practice group for the summer. Instead, assignments are solicited from each of the practice groups and are distributed equally among the Summer Associates. This process ensures that each Summer Associate is able to work with as many attorneys as possible and experience a variety of assignments from different practice areas while maintaining a manageable workload.
During the Summer Program, our Summer Associates are given a considerable amount of responsibility. Accordingly, we feel the need to provide our Summer Associate with the type of assignments normally provided to junior associates. Summer Associates draft motions, complaints, answers, and discovery; assist in trial preparation; draft jury instructions and briefs; in addition to conducting legal research. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the work as opposed to the quantity. We also encourage our attorneys to allow Summer Associates to attend hearings, trials, depositions and client meetings to see firsthand the results of their work.
While there is no strict minimum billable hour requirement for Summer Associates, we try to provide the Summer Associate with a realistic understanding of what it is like to be an associate at the Firm. As such, we expect our Summer Associates to put forward a good effort during the summer program, while maintaining a healthy balance with social events.