Making the Most of Summer Associate Social Events

Allie Porter is a IP associate who resides in the Dallas office of Norton Rose Fulbright. Below, she shares her advice for getting the most out of social events during a law firm summer associate program.

In the last couple of years, the world has changed in so many ways. Pre-COVID, the advice was simple: Go to the social events and engage with as many people as you can. With COVID drastically changing how we interact, including the transition to more virtual events, this task has become more challenging.

No one wants to be the person who awkwardly speaks up in the middle of a Zoom mixer, and finding the opportunity to engage with people one-on-one in a virtual environment is much more difficult and less natural than in an in-person setting. Nonetheless, the expectations have remained the same:  You need to meet people in an effort to secure an offer. No pressure!

I remember being inundated with social events and coffee chats as a summer associate, all the while attempting to deliver strong work product. During that time, if there was someone you wanted to meet or introduce yourself to, it only took a quick trip down the hall and a knock on the door. I sympathize with summer associates facing the option of a “cold email” or a similar instant message when trying to make connections at a firm, even as we transition back into the office in some capacity. In an attempt to help you navigate, I wanted to provide some tips for making the most of your summer associate social events:

1. Utilize your mentor: If there is someone you wanted to meet at an event but did not get the chance, it never hurts to ask your mentor or a trusted associate to help make the connection. At most summer programs, you will be assigned a mentor who is typically more junior and may have similar interests as you. I highly recommend, as you are comfortable, having honest discussions with this individual on how to succeed as a summer associate. That being said, I understand these matches are not always perfect. In that case, there will usually be another junior associate who is happy to provide advice. Fostering these relationships could also help you find a teammate who is willing act as your advocate for any work or experience you are interested in. 

2. Be respectful to everyone: The rumors are true: Summer associate clerkships are extended interviews. While you surely know to be friendly and respectful to other attorneys, you want to be courteous and respectful to staff and even those external to the firm.  While you should want to be kind to these people regardless, when you join the firm, you will learn countless lessons from non-attorneys! People take note of these things and being rude is an easy way to make a bad impression.

3. Make friends within your program: It’s no surprise you do work a lot as an associate. It is so important to make sure you not only like the people currently at the firm, but also those that will eventually be in your class. Making an effort to befriend current associates, as well as fellow summer associates, is an easy way to make a good impression. Most importantly, it will make you all the more excited to join the firm following law school. A good friend can be there to help you celebrate the wins in your career, as well as commiserate during the lows. 

4. Have a positive attitude: Showing that you have a positive attitude at social events is likely to encourage people to want to work with you. They will trust that you jump into projects and cases eager to help and take constructive feedback well.

5. Just go for it: The more you do things, the easier they get. While video calls may be uncomfortable at first, this feeling will not last forever.  Similarly, approaching someone at an event may lend itself to that same awkward feeling. As the summer progresses, you will get more comfortable and learn to have fun on during these social events, whether virtual or in-person.   

While this list is certainly not exhaustive, I hope it provides some guidance to really utilizing social events to make the most of your summer associate experience. Good luck!