The Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell Summer Associate Training Program is a comprehensive learning experience. It incorporates legal research, writing, educational workshops, attendance at hearings, depositions, and mediations, and a simulated trial.
Supervising attorneys coordinate and evaluate work assignments, provide consultation, and ensure that the summer associate becomes involved integrally in handling cases.
In addition to attending seminars and conducting legal research, RKC encourages each summer associate to attend hearings, depositions, and trials, particularly any proceeding for which he or she prepared research and drafted motions and legal briefs.
Litigation practice workshops and a simulated trial expose the summer associate to a litigator's daily tasks. The workshops teach the "nuts and bolts" of trial practice, and assist the summer associate in preparing for the trial. Much of the firm participates as coaches, judges, witnesses, and jurors. Teams of summer associates conduct the trials in a spirit of educational competition.
Finally, social and recreational events, including parties at partners' homes, the annual firm summer picnic, and an annual golf outing complete the summer. These activities allow summer associates to know the firm's members on a more personal level in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and provide an opportunity to simply have some fun.
The firm's goal is to expose summer associates to virtually every aspect of a career as a Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell trial attorney, in an interesting, challenging, and rewarding manner.
"I had a great experience working at RKC this summer. The one aspect of the program that I enjoyed the most was participating in the seminars/workshops and the mock trial. It was great to learn the practical side of litigation from partners who have extensive trial and pre-trial experience. Specifically, I really enjoyed the closing argument workshop. It was great to take a set of facts and have the opportunity to craft my own legal argument for the jury. The mock trial was also one of my favorite activities of the program. It proved to be a great learning experience in that it forced us to think "on the fly" and adapt our arguments/theories as the case progressed. These activities really gave us a chance to get out and learn the intangibles that are so important in litigation." -- Ben Wurtzel, Summer Clerk 2009
"Almost every week there is seminar taught by one of the partners. After, the firm gives you a chance to apply what you have learned in a workshop lead by a partner later in week. These seminars and workshops give you all of the tools you need to be successful in the Mock Trial at the end of the program. But it doesn’t stop there. You will be assigned trial coaches who will guide you every step of the way. With their help, our team won the 2009 Mock Trial competition.
The Mock Trial Competition was the most exciting part of program. The whole summer leads up to this one pinnacle moment. This is the chance you get to apply all that you have learned from the seminars, workshops, and your coaches. The entire firm gets involved. Everybody, including the partners, take the time away from their busy days to make sure the Mock Trial goes smoothly. " - Craig Minko, Summer Clerk 2009
One should direct inquiries about legal employment in our Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, and Birmingham offices to:
Kaye Craft Daugherty
Director of Human Resources and Legal Recruitment
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, PA
P.O. Box 1873
Orlando, FL 32802-1873
407.839.2119
kdaugherty@rumberger.com
One should direct inquiries about legal employment in our Miami office to:
Blanca M. Aguilera
Branch Office Manager
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, PA
Brickell Bayview Centre, Suite 3000
80 S.W. 8th Street
Miami, FL 33130-3047
305.995.5480
baguilera@rumberger.com
When submitting a resume for consideration, please include overall GPA, class rank (of at least top 25%), and a recent writing sample. Candidates must demonstrate excellent writing ability. Hirings have included state supreme court clerks, law review editors, and graduates in the top 10% of their law school classes.
