I can’t believe it has already been a month since I started the Summer Associate Program at RumbergerKirk. Time has flown by, and each week continues to bring new opportunities to learn, grow and challenge myself. Week four was no exception. It was busy, insightful and filled with experiences that reinforced my interest in litigation.
To kick off the week, I worked on several research and writing assignments across a variety of practice areas. Two projects that especially stood out involved family law and contracts. Contracts has been one of my favorite subjects in law school, so getting a firsthand look at how contract disputes are handled in litigation was both fascinating and eye-opening.
My family law assignment was equally rewarding because it incorporated several different areas of law, allowing me to see how legal concepts that seem distinct in the classroom often overlap in practice. Both projects challenged me to strengthen my legal writing, analytical thinking ,and problem-solving skills, and I am excited to continue building on those abilities throughout the summer.
We also had several educational lunches this week that offered valuable insights. On Wednesday, RumbergerKirk hosted Judge Brian Sandor and Judge Celia Thacker Dorn for our attorney lunch. Hearing about their paths from litigation to the bench and their perspectives on current and future developments within the court system was incredibly interesting.
Then, on Thursday, I attended my first Associate College lunch, where one of the firm’s partners shared practical strategies for preparing a successful trial. I left with several helpful takeaways that I hope to apply during our upcoming mock trial.
Thursday evening brought one of the highlights of the week: our summer social at Topgolf. While I am definitely no Tiger Woods, it was a great opportunity to connect with attorneys outside the office in a relaxed setting. One thing that has stood out to me throughout the Summer Associate Program is RumbergerKirk’s commitment to fostering a genuine sense of community. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, making it easy to build relationships and feel like part of the team.
To wrap up the week, I attended another deposition with my mentor, Hannah Steele, who continues to impress me with her advocacy, preparation, and professionalism. Watching experienced litigators in action has been one of the most valuable parts of the summer, and each opportunity reinforces why I am so excited about this profession.
I am incredibly grateful for everything I have learned over the past month, and I can already see how much this experience has helped me grow as a future attorney. I can’t wait to see what next week has in store.
