THE SUMMER ASSOCIATE PROGRAM AT PATTON BOGGS

From the moment our summer associates arrive, it is clear that Patton Boggs is no ordinary law firm and our summer program is like no other. In keeping with the entrepreneurial philosophy of our firm, summer associates are afforded the freedom to explore areas of interest. Those with an ambitious spirit who take initiative find this flexibility refreshing and enriching.  If you are a self-starter who values opportunity over guarantees and originality over conformity, Patton Boggs could be the firm for you.

POSSIBILITIES WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

We offer a summer associate program in five of our offices—Washington DC, Newark, New York, Dallas and Denver. Our program helps prepare summer associates for the practice of law and provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of what attorney life is like at Patton Boggs. Expect to be immersed in our culture and in the realities of being a lawyer. We have high expectations of our participants and full confidence in their abilities. The work is real, relevant and challenging, and it allows summer associates to work alongside some of the world's most talented and well-respected attorneys.

We want each summer associate to work with as many attorneys in the firm as possible. This allows our participants to discover their own affinities for practice areas and chemistries with varying attorney work styles. 

ASSIGNMENTS THAT COUNT

We work on issues that make news. Our practice involves everything from resolving high-profile political disputes to structuring complex business deals to representing domestic and multinational corporations, sovereigns, and state and local municipalities. Summer associates are part of that work each and every day. 

 A few examples of summer work assignments:

• Conducting legal research and analysis
• Drafting motions and briefs
• Attending hearings and depositions
• Participating in negotiation and strategy sessions
• Drafting contracts
• Tracking and analyzing legislation

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Patton Boggs appreciates the significance of both formal and informal coaching. Training is available in areas such as legal writing, time management, negotiation, and presentation and deposition skills.  Students are also introduced to a variety of specific areas of practice as well as the inner workings of a law firm. 

• Attorney Mentors - each summer associate is assigned a partner mentor and an associate mentor.  The primary purpose of the mentors is to assist the summer associate with acclimating to the firm. 
• Writing Mentor System - each summer associate is also assigned a writing coach who is available to provide guidance, assessment and answers to legal writing questions.
• “Anatomy of a Law Firm” presentations – they learn about the role of the firm’s marketing department, listen to our chief financial officer unravel the intricacies of law firm economics, or gain in-depth insight into firm management and the structure of our leadership.
• Seminar Series – summer associates are trained in such topics as legal research and writing, workload and time management, communication and presentation skills training, the art of negotiation and business skills.
• "Tag Along" Program - partners are encouraged to bring summer associates to client meetings, depositions, client pitches, congressional hearings, oral arguments and more.
• Sit In - summer associates are welcome to sit in on the same in-house training sessions offered by Patton Boggs University that attorneys attend.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Some say our selection process is thorough, perhaps meticulous. This is true.  We place a great deal of emphasis on the entire selection process (from cover letter to thank you note) because we want to make the right decisions – for your sake and for ours.  Since our goal is to be able to extend permanent offers to every one of our summer associates. Our intention for this careful process is to remove pressure from summer associates so they can focus on forging closer bonds with their colleagues and enjoy a richer work experience without the distorting effects of an excessively competitive environment.

Our clients look to us for results that are above and beyond traditional legal solutions, meaning our attorneys are regularly challenged to be visionaries. This is a fundamental reason why we embrace attorneys with different backgrounds, talents, interests and personalities.

PRO BONO 

At the heart of Patton Boggs’ reputation for passion and excellence lies the firm's commitment to local, national and international public service. Our award-winning pro bono program offers exceptional opportunities to test advocacy skills and, at the same time, allows summer associates to make a difference by giving back to the community.

Summer associates have worked on pro bono cases in the following areas:

• Immigration
• Employment discrimination
• Native American rights
• Nonprofit corporate counseling
• Public benefits
• Wrongful imprisonment
• Economic development
• Civil liberties
• International human rights
• Domestic violence
• Capital punishment

PATTON BOGGS UNIVERSITY

Ahead of its law firm peers, the firm created an innovative program called Patton Boggs University (PBU), which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010.  PBU has been acknowledged in industry publications and is recognized throughout the legal community as a model for organizational learning and professional development.  PBU is a catalyst for every Patton Boggs employee, both attorneys and staff, to reach their full potential.  PBU has grown to incorporate training for attorneys in substantive areas of law including an annual, intensive two day off-site training academy for all associates, on-site seminars, and significant encouragement of participation in ABA Business Law Section, PLI and other CLE programs.  Additionally, the firm’s professional development team conducts one-on-one coaching sessions to help associates successfully implement their individualized Associate Development Plan, career goals and objectives.  The firm’s Associate Mentor Program further enhances the resources and programs available to associates and deepens the firm’s commitment to the individual professional success of each associate.  Mentors assist associates with integration into the firm as well as achieving their professional goals.  As a whole, we believe the opportunities provided for education and mentoring are integral to empowering all employees with the ability to further the firm’s mission of providing exceptional legal services to its clients while developing and retaining world-class talent. 

LIFESTYLE 

At Patton Boggs we understand that striking the right balance among work, home life and other pursuits is essential to ensuring happiness and success in each area. Because we understand the challenges our professionals face and encourage them to achieve this balance, the firm has been cited by many publications and organizations, including: 

• Top Ten Family Friendly Firm, Yale Law School
• Top 20 DC Firm, Vault, Inc.
• Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity, Multicultural Law
• One of the Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyer
• One of the Best Places to work in New Jersey, NJBiz
• Top 25 Firm in Denver, Denver Business Journal
• Top 100 Places to Work, Dallas Morning News 

QUOTES ABOUT THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE AT PATTON BOGGS 

“Summer associates were encouraged to seek out projects that fit their interests and to develop relationships with lawyers at the firm who share these interests. Patton Boggs lawyers welcomed those who took the initiative to learn about their field of expertise and were happy to provide opportunities for summer associates to work with them.”    

“I was able to get ‘real world’ projects and use my skill set in a range of diverse subject matters. Overall the quality of the assignments and the unique group of people I met at the firm made the summer program an extremely rewarding experience.” 

“Patton Boggs is everything it claims to be: friendly, entrepreneurial and exciting. Attorneys truly welcomed my interest in their work. Throughout the summer I was able to attend meetings at embassies and on Capitol Hill, work on projects for foreign sovereign clients and assist in a pro bono asylum case.  

“During the summer I attended a hearing in the Southern District of New York regarding injury classification charts and their applicability to the World Trade Center litigation claims. The room was packed -- literally standing-room only -- as we were surrounded by the media. The experience brought to light not only the prominence of the issue, but how quickly I could become involved in such a high-profile case.”

“My summer associate experience at Patton Boggs really surpassed my expectations.  The attorneys are incredibly welcoming and more than willing to discuss their fields of expertise and share their advice for advancing in that area. I was constantly engaged in challenging and satisfying work and left the summer feeling not only had I truly made a contribution, but I had also developed strong professional relationships.”

“I was amazed at the quality of the assignments that I was given during my summer. I was able to work on matters of significant importance to our clients and the partners I worked for viewed me as part of their team. Not only were my insights on projects valued, but supervising attorneys actually sought them out.  I’ll admit that it can be scary at times, but it’s a worthwhile experience that allows you to put your legal education to work.”