The Work
By furnishing summer associates with challenging, hands-on client work and the opportunity to interact with the attorneys and staff firmwide, we seek to provide a realistic view of the firm and the essential information necessary to reach an informed decision about joining Pierce Atwood after graduation. Projects range from research assignments that allow us to evaluate legal analysis and writing skills, to attending negotiations, closings, trials, and depositions. Summer associates observe our attorneys dealing with clients and other counsel and see first-hand the collaborative, team effort we foster at Pierce Atwood.
Feedback Evaluation Mentoring
Feedback is critical to a summer associate’s development and training, which is why we encourage all attorneys who have worked with our summer associates to provide them with informal feedback on their assigned projects. Additionally, at mid-summer, the Chair of our summer program provides each summer associate with a formal evaluation of the work he or she has performed to date. Each summer associate also has an associate mentor, who is available to assist with the transition from studying at law school to practicing law , to answering questions, and providing guidance as necessary.
Social Events
We provide summer associates with an opportunity to socialize with members of the firm in a more relaxed, informal setting. Each year, we hold a number of social functions such as softball games, gatherings at attorneys' homes, kayaking around Casco Bay, attending Boston Red Sox games, and hiking in New Hampshire's White Mountains. We also encourage all attorneys to join summer associates for lunch throughout the summer.