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Our summer program is dedicated to giving our summer associates a rewarding and realistic snapshot of life as an associate at Pryor Cashman. Summer associates are given substantive work responsibilities that offer practical legal training and "real life" work experience in as many practice groups as they are interested in exploring.
There is no formal rotation system; rather, summer associates receive work assignments from individual lawyers from many different departments in order to experience the diversity of our clientele and practice. In addition, every effort is made to tailor work assignments to the specific interests of the summer associates.
Here’s what some of our summer associates who have now joined Pryor Cashman full-time have to say about the work they were assigned during their summer with us:
Colleen Parker, Summer Class of 2002
Colleen joined Pryor Cashman full-time in 2003, and is part of the Litigation Group. As a summer associate, she worked with the Corporate, Litigation and Real Estate groups, which she says helped her make an informed decision about which practice area she wanted to pursue.
"Pryor Cashman’s summer associate program provided me with a rewarding law firm experience. The substantive work assignments and informal mentoring shaped my legal career. Additionally, many of the personal relationships I developed with partners, associates and fellow summer associates have turned into long-lasting friendships."
Steven Fields, Summer Class of 2005
Steven joined Pryor Cashman full-time in 2006 and is part of the Real Estate Group. As a summer associate, he worked in the Litigation, Real Estate and Corporate Groups, which he says presented an invaluable opportunity for experiencing what life is like as a first-year associate at a New York City law firm.
“During my short 10 weeks as a summer associate, I went to federal court for an oral argument, assisted in closing a real estate deal and was included in numerous client meetings. These are just a few of the actual matters I was brought in on. As the summer progressed, I was given the flexibility and opportunity to focus on my own particular areas of interest. This diverse summer associate experience was invaluable in helping me decide on the direction of my legal career.”
Melissa Tomkiel, Summer Class of 2005
Melissa joined Pryor Cashman full-time in 2006 and is part of the Corporate Group. She says her experience as a summer associate at Pryor Cashman was integral to her transition from a law student to a full time associate.
“I was able to work closely with associates and partners in each of the firm’s practice groups doing substantive assignments, which afforded me many opportunities to meet with clients and to attend closings and court proceedings. Furthermore, the detailed feedback and guidance given to me by the attorneys I worked with was an invaluable part of my professional development and continues to aid me in my work now."
Anika Lewis, Summer Class of 2003
Anika joined Pryor Cashman full-time in 2004 and is part of the Litigation Group. She says her experience as a summer associate was an accurate reflection of what her life has been like as a full-time associate.
“Real work, the ability to work on interesting cases and the unique opportunity to work directly with partners on a regular basis. I could not have asked for a program that prepared me as fully for what I would experience as a full time associate with the firm."
