Summer Associate Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a summer associate position?
If you attend a school where McDermott interviews on-campus, sign up for an on-campus interview through your Career Services or Placement Office. If you attend a school where McDermott does not interview on-campus, please send your cover letter, resume, and transcript to the recruiting contact at the appropriate office. 1L hiring needs are determined on a yearly basis. Please visit our website for notification of our hiring needs. NALP Principles and Standards dictate that 1Ls should submit their resumes to the recruiting contact at the appropriate office after December 1.
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May I apply to more than one McDermott office?
Yes. Every McDermott office conducts its own on-campus interviewing and you are welcome to apply to more than one office. It is important to note though, that because each office has it’s own hiring needs, and practice areas vary throughout all McDermott offices, call back and offer decisions are made independently by each office.
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When can I expect a call back after my on-campus interview?
All candidates interviewed on-campus will receive follow-up information via phone or mail. Attorneys who interview on-campus will call all students invited to McDermott for additional interviews within one week of the on-campus interview. Students who are not selected for additional interviews will receive a letter within a week after the on-campus interview.
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With whom will I interview for my call back?
Callback interview schedules will be comprised of both partners and associates, as well as members of the Recruiting Committee. Attorneys from the areas of interest you preference will be included.
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How can I make sure I meet with a group of attorneys in a particular practice group, or with any other attorneys of interest to me during my interviews?
In order for us to make sure that you get the most out of your interviews, please be sure to let us know about any special interests you may have. Such interests may include practice areas that you are considering or issues relating to women, minorities, LGBT attorneys, etc. The Recruiting Staff will do their best to accommodate your requests. Please be sure to also let the recruiting staff know if you have any physical or dietary special needs.
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What expenses incurred during in-firm interviewing are reimbursable?
McDermott will reimburse reasonable interviewing expenses such as: airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation to/from the airport/interview, mileage (48.5¢ per mile), parking, tolls related to the interview trip, and reasonable meal expenses. Any questions should be directed to the local office recruiting contact.
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How do I handle travel arrangements and expense reimbursement if I am interviewing with more than one firm?
In this instance, it is best to make your travel arrangements through one firm and submit all of your expenses to that same firm. You will need to identify all of the firms you visited on that trip and the host firm will then request reimbursement from those other firms once you have submitted your receipts.
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How long is the summer program?
The summer program is typically twelve weeks and law students are strongly encouraged to spend all twelve weeks with the Firm.
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What is the Firm’s policy on split summers?
In order to ensure that our summer associates get the full benefits of working with us during the summer, we do not encourage split summers. Students who would like to split their summer with another McDermott office or law firm should contact their local office recruiting contact We require all summer associates who split with another firm to spend the first eight weeks with us.
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How does McDermott distribute work assignments to summer associates?
Prior to the start of the summer program, summer associates are asked to preference practice areas in which they would like to work. Assignment Coordinator(s) offer guidance and support on projects, help ensure a good balance of assignments, and gather and distribute work based on summer associate preferences.
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What type of projects can I expect as a summer associate?
The type of projects you receive during the summer varies by office. In most offices, summer associates are given the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects from each department. In certain offices, you are assigned to a practice group. Your assignments may come from any of the Firm’s many practice groups which varies by office.
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Will I be able to do pro bono work over the summer?
Absolutely! Since 2006, 100% of the Firm’s summer associates worked on pro bono matters and we have achieved that goal with our 2008 summer class as well! In addition, you are encouraged to let the Summer Work Assignment Coordinator know the types of pro bono matters you would like to work on during your summer.
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What training opportunities are available to summer associates?
The McDermott Summer Academy provides our summer associates with a broad overview of the Firm’s leadership, core values, offices and departments through firmwide presentations. In addition, a variety of educational opportunities are offered on an office-by-office basis. These include a mock trial, a negotiation workshop, writing skills seminar, etc. Summer associates also accompany lawyers to closings, client meetings, depositions, and court. For more information on the McDermott University Summer Academy, click here.
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Does the Firm offer a mentoring program for summer associates?
Each summer associate is assigned at least one mentor to provide guidance throughout the summer, explain Firm policies, address any questions or concerns and assist in the transition from law school to life in a law firm.
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What social events can I expect as a summer associate?
Our summer program introduces summer associates to McDermott and the cities in which our offices are located. We provide summer associates the opportunity to meet attorneys in all departments through an array of social events. Some examples of events that have been held in our offices include the annual Summer Associate Retreat, baseball games, sailing, cooking classes, a night at the theatre, and scavenger hunts.
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How does McDermott evaluate and review summer associates and provide feedback?
Our summer associates receive substantial feedback, including at least a mid-summer and a final review, in addition to informal feedback provided throughout the summer. Feedback is given based on work quality, written and verbal communication skills, intellectual capabilities, maturity and judgment.
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When are offers extended? Do offers come from a specific department?
Offer decisions are made after all summer associates have ended their stay with us. Offers for a full-time first year associate position will come from a department.

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How many summer associates receive offers at the end of the summer?
Our goal is to extend offers to all of our summer associates. Each year, over 90% of our summer associates receive offers. Over 80% of our first year associate class each fall is comprised of lawyers who began their careers at McDermott as summer associates.
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