"Attorneys at Schiff Hardin recognize the value of the summer program to both the summer associates and the firm. They go out of their way to offer interesting and substantive summer associate projects from different practice groups and their efforts mean that summer associates have a great variety of projects to choose from.

As the Work Assignment Partner, I focused on ensuring that our summer associates had a good balance of work and learned as much as possible about what attorneys at the firm do. The perspective that summer associates gain from working in different practice areas is a benefit that will last throughout their careers."

"I really enjoyed working on a sentencing memorandum for a white collar criminal case. I researched arguments to help prevent our client — who had a wife and daughter — from being imprisoned for many years. Some of my work made it into the memorandum that was filed with the Court. It was fantastic to feel like I had helped someone and had been a part of something bigger than myself."

"My favorite part of being a summer associate at Schiff Hardin was the opportunity to contribute to real projects for real clients. On my first day, I did research for an appeal that was due the next week, and everyone helped and supported me every step of the way."

"You hear firms boasting of real work to prospective summer associates. But what summer associates seek are real opportunities to showcase our abilities on serious, active matters. In my first week at Schiff Hardin, I researched and prepared a substantive memo on fiduciary claims. With my research, the partner advised the client to pursue a countersuit. And the following week, I drafted the ten-count complaint. Upon receiving my draft, the partner made the time to provide me page-by-page feedback. Schiff Hardin offered me not just real work, but real opportunities."

"My favorite assignment this summer was writing a motion for summary judgment in a patent infringement matter. I was able to work as part of a team to gather the facts for the motion. I was also asked on several occasions for my judgment on a particular argument. This assignment provided me with substantial responsibility as a summer associate to utilize my judgment, writing skills, litigation knowledge, and teamwork to compose a strong motion that will be submitted to the court. I also enjoyed stepping outside my comfort zone and learning a new area of law."

"My favorite assignment was with the corporate group, for a Fortune 500 company that wanted to rescind a severance agreement made with a former executive. I enjoyed it because it was time-sensitive requiring a quick turnaround of my research. I was able to see the impact of my research right away. The partner copied me on his email correspondence and included me on a conference call with the client's general counsel."

"I came to law school convinced I'd become a corporate lawyer. One of my first assignments this summer was a memo about a patent dispute dealing with a fairly technical issue. I didn't know a thing about patent law, so it was exciting (and a challenge) to delve into something completely out of my comfort zone. I was able to rely on the support of the patent attorneys in the office to work through some tricky issues, and I went from novice to expert on this particular issue in the span of a week. Had I only focused on corporate assignments like I thought I would be doing, I would have missed out on this incredibly rewarding experience."