What do you look for in a Summer Associate?
There is not a stereotypical Cox Smith Summer Associate. A distinctive feature of our Firm is our cohesive culture with its diversity of personalities, backgrounds, talents and interests. However, we must evaluate Summer Associates on their ability to grow and develop into seasoned lawyers and a few general characteristics stand out as good indicators of students’ capacity to do so. An excellent attitude, a flexible and adaptive personality are pluses, as are character, maturity and a solid work ethic.

How are Summer Associates assigned work?
We provide interesting and relevant work assignments similar to those performed by first-year associates. Assignments for Summer Associates are filtered through each department's Project Coordinator. The Coordinator, along with the Summer Associates' mentor, monitor these assignments for a variety of projects and adequate work flow. Each work project is evaluated by the assigning lawyer, who is also responsible for providing feedback. Rotating through two practice areas ensures that each Summer Associate works with numerous lawyers in the Firm. This exposure enables Summer Associates to reaffirm or discover their own affinities for practice areas and to experience the chemistry generated by the differing work styles of our lawyers.

What type of social life can Summer Associates expect?
Cox Smith has never been accused of being dull and the summer social calendar reflects the diverse character and style of our Firm. Our Summer Associates are introduced to things that we enjoy, from the battles of our firm softball team to the best neighborhood pubs including dinner parties at lawyers’ homes, a boat cruise around the River Walk, softball games, gallery tours, horse racing, rappelling, cooking classes, barbeques and concerts in the surrounding areas. We strive to ensure that our Summer Associates depart with a realistic insight into the social milieu and culture of the Firm.

Do you have a minimum week requirement?
Cox Smith runs two six-week sessions. We ask that Summer Associates commit to one of the six-week sessions. For the summer of 2009, the sessions run from May 18th to June 26th and June 29th to August 7th.

Are Summer Associates expected to bill a certain number of hours?
We want Summer Associates to demonstrate their work ethic, but we believe it is unreasonable to expect a specific number of hours. Our greater concern is that Summer Associates get an accurate sense of what life as an attorney at Cox Smith is like and enjoy their work and social experience with us. We provide our Summer Associates with the freedom to focus on producing good work, not on reaching an arbitrary number of hours without regard for quality.

How large is your summer class?
Our class size usually ranges from between 10 and 20 students. We are proud to welcome 17 students to our 2009 Summer Class.

What compensation do you provide Summer Associates?
Summer Associates receive a salary of $2,300 per week, with parking provided in the building’s garage.

What do I wear to work during the summer?
Cox Smith follows a traditional business attire dress policy.  A summer program calendar which includes all weekly activities for Summer Associates will help you understand what is appropriate dress for certain activities.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding attire, please contact our Recruiting Coordinator Anna Friesenhahn.

Where will I live during the summer program?
Our Recruiting Department is available to help with housing over the summer if needed. Summer Associates often stay with friends during their 6 weeks at the Firm, however, others rent apartments through corporate housing programs which allow you to lease fully-furnished apartments in appealing neighborhoods by the week or month. These typically require a 4 or 5 week minimum lease, and oftentimes the Internet can be a wonderful resource for securing an ideal place. In addition, some Summer Associates find sub-leases online from local university students leaving for the summer months or short-term leases on condos and townhomes.

What is the culture of the Firm?
We are very proud of the unique culture we have created and we work hard in preserving that environment by hiring people we enjoy working with.  Lawyers and the staff at Cox Smith come from incredibly diverse backgrounds yet possess similar values, which makes our culture and work environment exciting and rewarding.