Summer Associate Program
Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte offers a challenging and rewarding
summer associate program designed to give second-year law students
intellectually stimulating, real-world litigation experience. With over
twenty lawyers and over thirty staff members, Sowell Gray provides a
unique summer experience competitive with firms much larger in size.
Real Stuff
Summering at Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte gives students legal
experience with a diversified team of lawyers in a wide range of
litigation fields. Every summer associate will work with each lawyer in
our practice on projects ranging from legal research and writing to
assisting in depositions, motions practice, trials and appeals.
Frequent "Day in the Life" lunches expose associates to the day-in,
day-out life of a practicing lawyer in the various types of litigation
we handle, and the Summer Mentor program offers the student good advice
from someone who's been there. And while it may be hard work at the
office, it's fun after hours as we engage in a full calendar of social
activities involving summer associates and lawyers.
Feedback
We have designed an evaluation process that focuses on the quality of
the law clerk's work on a project-by-project basis in addition to
allowing the law clerk to provide his or her feedback on the summer
program to us. Constructive evaluations are vital to the summer
associate program, and each project will be assigned, supervised and
evaluated by a firm attorney to help the summer associates improve
important legal skills during their time here. The assigning lawyer
completes an evaluation after each project in order to give immediate
and constructive feedback, offering plenty of opportunities to enhance
those skills learned in law school and put them to work in a real-world
environment. Each law clerk is also asked for his or her evaluation of
our program and all suggestions are used to improve the next year's
summer associate experience.
Mentor
Each summer associate will be assigned a mentor from the firm to help
with the transition from school to work. Mentors assist law clerks with
navigating life in a law firm, from practical assistance with the
necessary tools and technology to guidance in the nuances of working
with clients and the judicial system. By pairing experienced lawyers
with summer associates, the firm provides the opportunity for the
summer associate to learn, be challenged, and engage in a rewarding
summer experience.
Qualified applicants for our Summer Associate Program should submit the following information to Daniel Hayes:
- Resume indicating a 3.0 GPA or better, and strong research and writing skills
- Excellent references
- Cover letter
Writing samples will be required from selected applicants.
Learn about Sowell Gray's career opportunities.
