Class Size and Schools Represented Back to Top The 2011 summer associate program in the Washington, D.C., office included students from Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Indiana University, University of Virginia and Yale law schools.
Our 2010 summer associate program included five students from Boston University, Georgetown, Harvard and William & Mary law schools.
Summer Program Administration Back to Top The Washington summer program is coordinated by Alexandra Mai, our recruiting manager, and Anna Schaefer, our human resources recruiting coordinator. They are responsible, along with Hiring Partner Grace Rodriguez, Deputy Hiring Partner Alan Dial and two associates whom we appoint each spring as our summer "czars," for the day-to-day operation of the summer program.
Summer Program Assignments Back to TopSummer associates are encouraged to work with a variety of practice groups during their clerkship. These practice groups include FDA & life sciences, global transactions, healthcare, international arbitration, international trade, litigation & antitrust, tort litigation and special matters and government investigations. The summer czars, in consultation with the summer associates, are responsible for issuing assignments.
Summer Associate Training Back to Top All summer associates participate in orientation and training during their first week at the firm. In addition, all summer associates are encouraged to attend practice group, office and firm meetings, as well as various King & Spalding University and other internal training programs for practicing lawyers.
Another significant training opportunity for our summer associates is our popular Summer Writing Review Panel. The panel, which consists of seven lawyers, reviews significant pieces of written work product from each summer associate and provides constructive feedback and advice on how to improve his or her writing. The assessments made by the panel are intended to supplement -- not replace -- feedback that will be provided to the summer associates by the lawyer(s) developing the assignment.
Most importantly, our summer associates learn by doing. They benefit from hands-on training by working closely with our lawyers on client matters and by observing closings, hearings, client meetings, negotiation sessions, depositions and trials whenever possible.
Summer Advisors Back to TopWe pair each summer associate with an associate advisor for the duration of the summer program. The summer advisor acts as the summer associate's liaison both socially and professionally, facilitating introductions, providing guidance on work assignments and helping them with acclimation to the firm.
Feedback and Evaluations Back to Top Summer associates regularly receive formal and informal feedback from the lawyers with whom they work throughout the summer. They also receive substantive, constructive feedback on their written work from members of the Summer Writing Review Panel. All summer associates receive a mid-summer and a final summer review by Grace Rodriguez, our hiring partner.
Summer Social Activities Back to TopThe recruiting team organizes social activities throughout the summer for our summer associates and lawyers. Summer associates also are frequently invited by individual lawyers to enjoy lunches, dinners and other informal activities by individual lawyers.
A few of our 2011 social activities included:
Crab feast on Gibson IslandDinners at partner homes Happy hour at the W Hotel roof terraceLunches with partners and associatesNationals baseball gamesPerformance at the Kennedy CenterRooftop fiestaScavenger huntSegway tour of D.C.Supreme Court “Hand Down” & tourWine tasting
Split Summers Back to TopStudents are welcome to split their summers with other firms provided they spend at least eight weeks of the summer in the Washington, D.C., office during the beginning of the summer.
Summer Associate Salary Back to TopThe 2012 summer associate salary has not been set at this time. However, we are committed to paying a competitive salary.
Travel Expenses Back to TopDuring the summer, summer associates are reimbursed for the actual cost of round-trip mileage or round-trip coach airfare from law school to Washington, D.C. (subject to a maximum reimbursement of $800.00). In addition, we cover the cost of one trip to Washington, D.C., by a summer associate's spouse, fiancé(e) or domestic (same gender) partner during the summer program (subject to a maximum reimbursement of $800.00).
Summer Housing Back to Top Our recruiting team provides summer associates with various resources to assist them in obtaining summer housing.
Hiring Criteria and Offers to Join the Summer Program Back to TopThe Washington office fills its summer associate classes with students who have demonstrated academic excellence and achievement in law review, other journals, moot court and leadership in other types of extracurricular activities.
Our hiring is driven by the needs of our practice groups, and students should be prepared to discuss their practice group interests during the on-campus and callback interviews. Generally, we fill our summer classes with 2L students.King & Spalding Diversity Fellowship Program Back to TopWe recognize that diverse talent is a strategic asset that allows for more effective client service. As part of our commitment to attracting and retaining the finest lawyers from all backgrounds and perspectives, we are pleased to continue offering our Diversity Fellowship Program. Each recipient receives $10,000 and a paid summer clerkship with King & Spalding the summer following the completion of his or her second year of law school. This program is available to any student with an ethnically or culturally diverse background. To apply, please click here.
Applying for a Summer Associate Position Back to Top If you are interested in a summer associate position, please utilize our online application form by clicking the Apply Online link at the top of this page.
Thank you for your interest in the Washington office of King & Spalding. We look forward to hearing from you!
FAQ Quick Reference Links
Class Size and Schools RepresentedSummer Program AdministrationSummer Program AssignmentsSummer Associate TrainingSummer AdvisorsFeedback and EvaluationsSummer Social ActivitiesSplit SummersSummer Associate SalaryTravel ExpensesSummer HousingHiring Criteria and OffersDiversity Fellowship Program How to Apply
