Work Assignments

As a Sutherland summer associate you can expect to be assigned research and writing projects in a variety of subjects and to participate in important aspects of our practice, such as transaction closings, document drafting and trial preparation. You will be invited to attend court hearings and trials, conferences with clients, negotiations with other lawyers, depositions and other activities that provide a view of the day-to-day practice of law. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in pro bono matters.

At Sutherland we do not have a formal “rotation” system for work assignments. All summer associate work is coordinated and assigned by experienced attorneys under the supervision of the Hiring Committee. Each summer associate works with one of these “work assignment coordinators” on an individual basis and is assigned projects based on practice areas of interest. Thus, summer associates have the flexibility either to try various different areas of interest or concentrate on only one or two.

We believe the best training of new lawyers is working closely with experienced lawyers, where feedback can be given contemporaneously. Historically, we have staffed our representations leanly, which enhances the training and feedback opportunities. This philosophy carries over into the summer program; students work closely with more experienced lawyers who offer constructive criticism of every assignment. In addition, members of the Hiring Committee meet with each summer associate to review the summer associate's projects.