Summer 2012 Fun-At-a-Glance Number of competitive cooking outings ("Iron Schiff") Number of summer associates for whom "Whirlyball" was their favorite event Number of summer associates for whom bowling was their favorite event Number of firm executive committee members for whom bowling was their favorite event Number of lunches summer associates had with attorneys Time (in the a.m.) that the latest summer associate social event ended

Summer associates meet many Schiff Hardin attorneys and staff during their ten weeks at the firm. They're assigned an associate adviser and a partner resource, both of whom can be called on to answer questions or provide advice. Associate advisers act as friends and professional advisers, conveying feedback on summer associate work and helping summer associates learn their way around the firm.

Every week of the summer program starts with a Monday Morning Meeting with the Summer Associate Committee. Each meeting focuses on a different topic. Summer associates meet with management committee members who discuss the firm's strategic plan, the firm as a business, and the most effective ways to develop strong client relationships. They meet a panel of partners and associates who talk about "Secrets of Being a Great Associate," and another panel of partners and associates who describe some of the firm's pro bono matters.

Schiff Hardin also appoints an associate to plan the summer associate social activities. They range from impromptu get-togethers to organized events like the following:

• In Chicago: Second City, WhirlyBall, bowling, and Cubs and White Sox games.
• In New York:  Shakespeare in the Park, bowling, wine tasting, a cooking class at Miette Culinary Studio, and a Broadway show.
• In San Francisco: cocktails at Bubble Lounge, San Francisco Bay ferry ride, Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament, a Giants game, and tea tasting at Imperial Tea Court. 

An annual highlight: "Iron Schiff," an Iron Chef-inspired cooking competition in which teams of partners, associates, and summer associates work together to prepare a three-course dinner.  Everyone then samples the "gourmet" creations. This year's favorite recipe: summer associate Matt Chimienti's strawberry shortcake cream puffs.

"I enjoyed meeting everyone. I remember having lunch with one attorney and thinking that the story she told me sounded like it should have been in a John Grisham novel." Rachel Remke Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012 (joining January 2013)

"Casino night was definitely my favorite event. I was able to play poker while bumping elbows with two people I’d worked with the week before." Davin Reust University of Michigan Law School, 2012 (joining January 2013)

"Nothing seemed better than gazing out toward the ballpark from my office in the Willis Tower — that is, until one perfect afternoon, when my fellow summers and I were gazing back from the ball park! This event — along with others like it — allowed us to shed office formalities and develop valued friendships." Brian O'Connor Watson Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2010

"I met with my associate advisor multiple times per week over the course of the summer. She made it clear that her door was always open to me — and I certainly took advantage of that! She helped me decide which assignments to take, gave me advice on applying for clerkships, and (as a fellow vegetarian) introduced me to the excellent salad bar in the building." Allison Nichols University of Michigan Law School (2012 Summer Associate)

"The best social event so far was probably Whirlyball. My theory is that you really don't know someone until you've seen them in a bumper car with a lacrosse stick chasing a plastic ball around a hockey rink. But in all seriousness, it was a great event, and it gave us all a chance to see that all of the attorneys we had been working with where a fun-loving group." Matt Chimienti Loyola University Chicago School of Law (2012 Summer Associate)