Summer Associate Program Predictions? Forum

[purplegoldtornado]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

[LawrenceGazebo]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

[purplegoldtornado]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

I'm thinking that's pretty likely. Other than being remote, do you see any other cutbacks?

[viperking]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

I could see a world where some of these firms work out some rotational schedule where SAs have the option to come in a few days a week or every other week or something of the sort. Fauci indicated he thought there could be widespread vaccination by April, so even a delayed in-person start for those who want it could be in the books. In either of these cases, there would be rigorous safety measures in place (limited number of people in office, masks, air filtration, etc., which I imagine firms will have at that point anyway). I'm not sure if firms will want to shell out for whatever that might cost (if it were to cost extra), but a kid can dream.

[LawrenceGazebo]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

I could see a world where some of these firms work out some rotational schedule where SAs have the option to come in a few days a week or every other week or something of the sort. Fauci indicated he thought there could be widespread vaccination by April, so even a delayed in-person start for those who want it could be in the books. In either of these cases, there would be rigorous safety measures in place (limited number of people in office, masks, air filtration, etc., which I imagine firms will have at that point anyway). I'm not sure if firms will want to shell out for whatever that might cost (if it were to cost extra), but a kid can dream.

The reason I don't think this will be the case is because it will put summers in a bind--come to this city for the summer so that you can come in every other week? Seems like a big and annoying burden for a few in-person days, but they'll likely all do it to avoid being the person who didn't move to the city.

I also doubt the in-person interactions would be particularly meaningful in that kind of scenario--I am not risking anything to be a recruiting star, and unless the firms are all back in the office and in full strength by then, why bother? Sounds pretty terrible to show up, wear masks, no in person training or events, no lunches/bars/happy hours etc...

[purplegoldtornado]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

I could see a world where some of these firms work out some rotational schedule where SAs have the option to come in a few days a week or every other week or something of the sort. Fauci indicated he thought there could be widespread vaccination by April, so even a delayed in-person start for those who want it could be in the books. In either of these cases, there would be rigorous safety measures in place (limited number of people in office, masks, air filtration, etc., which I imagine firms will have at that point anyway). I'm not sure if firms will want to shell out for whatever that might cost (if it were to cost extra), but a kid can dream.

The reason I don't think this will be the case is because it will put summers in a bind--come to this city for the summer so that you can come in every other week? Seems like a big and annoying burden for a few in-person days, but they'll likely all do it to avoid being the person who didn't move to the city.

I also doubt the in-person interactions would be particularly meaningful in that kind of scenario--I am not risking anything to be a recruiting star, and unless the firms are all back in the office and in full strength by then, why bother? Sounds pretty terrible to show up, wear masks, no in person training or events, no lunches/bars/happy hours etc...

Not sure how many people will actually be in my situation, but just being able to be in NYC for at least a few weeks would be extremely helpful. I am from a rural area, and I would hate to "learn how to live in NYC" and be a first year associate at the same time.

[RaceJudicata]

More importantly, I think classes are going to be much smaller. Firms seem to have weathered the pandemic relatively well, but the damage to clients is still being done. Think that translates to smaller classes.

[LawrenceGazebo]

More importantly, I think classes are going to be much smaller. Firms seem to have weathered the pandemic relatively well, but the damage to clients is still being done. Think that translates to smaller classes.

Definitely could be the case. My non-NYC V10 is planning on a normal-sized summer class for next year, but that is just a single data point.

[viperking]

Might as well be shaking a Magic 8 ball here, but what does everyone think about upcoming summer associate programs? What are your predictions?

I predict remote, same as this past summer. I doubt there will be a widespread vaccine such that there is no longer a risk. None of these firms wants to be the one with the "totally cool!" summer program that gets some immuno-compromised 2L killed.

I could see a world where some of these firms work out some rotational schedule where SAs have the option to come in a few days a week or every other week or something of the sort. Fauci indicated he thought there could be widespread vaccination by April, so even a delayed in-person start for those who want it could be in the books. In either of these cases, there would be rigorous safety measures in place (limited number of people in office, masks, air filtration, etc., which I imagine firms will have at that point anyway). I'm not sure if firms will want to shell out for whatever that might cost (if it were to cost extra), but a kid can dream.

The reason I don't think this will be the case is because it will put summers in a bind--come to this city for the summer so that you can come in every other week? Seems like a big and annoying burden for a few in-person days, but they'll likely all do it to avoid being the person who didn't move to the city.

I also doubt the in-person interactions would be particularly meaningful in that kind of scenario--I am not risking anything to be a recruiting star, and unless the firms are all back in the office and in full strength by then, why bother? Sounds pretty terrible to show up, wear masks, no in person training or events, no lunches/bars/happy hours etc...

Good point, hadn't thought about potential pressure to move. I still am personally hoping for NYC, even if fewer social interactions and less in person time, but I understand why others might not want that or be hopeful for it.

[Reese1]

I have talked with a decent amount of hiring people, and most seem to say they will be hiring a class similar to the size of last year. Granted, saying that and doing that are two very different things

[Anonymous User]

Anon because I worked there. Goodwin is hiring as big a class as last summer if not bigger. I know they just hired a 3L in their NY office.