Managing Partner Frank Sheppard discussed RumbergerKirk’s Summer Associate Program in an article published by The Mid Market Report on July 9, 2020.

While many larger firms cut their summer programs this year, RumbergerKirk remained committed to its program. Three associates began the nine week program on June 8 in RumbergerKirk’s Miami, Orlando, and Tampa offices.

“Some associates have been in the offices during portions of the program, and the firm may bring them in for a mock trial at the end if conditions safely allow it,” explains Sheppard. “At one point, the firm considered canceling the program, but we gave it a lot of thought and we thought we could accomplish our goals and the firm felt a commitment to the summers.”

The program has been in existence for close to 30 years and many of the firm’s partners have gone through it. “It’s our principal recruiting tool,” said Sheppard.

Sheppard further noted the firm’s use of virtual workshops and seminars on topics such as depositions and opening and closing statements. For example, the students will attend a virtual seminar on depositions and then depose a partner acting as a plaintiff via video conference. In lieu of some social events, the firm has hosted virtual happy hours for the summer associates and also set up virtual coffee meetings between them and their supervisors.

“Sometimes if you don’t schedule things, they don’t happen. You don’t have the experience to walk down the hall, and talk about a case project or shoot the breeze,” said Sheppard. “We are trying to set up a schedule that has to be more intentional, we want to make sure they still get that experience.”

Subscribers to The Mid-Market Report may access the full article here.