Summer Program

Second-year summer programs are available in our Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Houston, Jackson, Lafayette, and New Orleans offices. Programs for first-year students are available in our Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, and Jackson offices. For each office, we run a first half program beginning in mid-May through the end of June. Our programs may slightly differ from office to office, but each program shares the same goal of hands-on experience, strengthening legal skills, and gaining insight into our firm.

Our summer program gives students a sense of a junior associate’s life at Jones Walker. By working hand-in-hand with associates and partners, summer associates gain an appreciation of day-to-day life at the firm, are exposed to a variety of practices, and benefit from the knowledge shared by their assigned mentors. In addition to conducting research, analyzing legal issues, and drafting transactional documents and pleadings, summer associates are actively involved in cases, transactions, and other aspects related to our clients’ matters. This may include accompanying lawyers to depositions, trials, mediations, closings, and drafting sessions and working alongside them as they conduct worksite or vessel inspections. Summer associates also get to know our firm culture, lawyers, and professional staff both in and outside the office through special events, community service, social gatherings, and recreational outings.

FAQs about our Summer Program

Q. What does Jones Walker look for in a candidate?
A.  In the recruiting process, we look for exceptionally bright, motivated, and enthusiastic law students who possess the interpersonal skills needed to effectively interact with Jones Walker colleagues and our clients.

Q. What does the interview process entail?
A. Members of the firm’s Hiring and Recruiting Committee review applications and conduct interviews in July and August for second year law students and in January for first year law students. Candidates who are selected to interview in one of our office locations have the opportunity to meet with a diverse group of partners, associates, and members of our Hiring and Recruiting Committee. Offers are extended to selected candidates shortly after in-person interviews are conducted. 

Q. How are summer associates compensated?
A. Summer associates are paid a competitive salary consistent with the market rates in the city in which they work.

Q. How are projects distributed?
A. Through our summer program, we strive to give our summer associates a realistic view of what life is like for a full-time associate. Summer associates are encouraged to work on a variety of transactional and litigation projects that provide exposure to a range of practice areas. As the summer program progresses, we encourage associates to seek projects in the practice groups in which they have developed an interest. 

Q. What training, resources, and performance feedback are provided?
A. An in-depth orientation program is held for each incoming class, followed by training to use our network systems. As they take on various projects, each summer associate can expect to receive guidance and feedback from the lawyer for whom the work was performed. Upon completion of each project, supervising lawyers are asked to submit an evaluation directly to the chief recruiting and professional development officer. There are also opportunities for summer associates to participate in regularly-scheduled lunch-and-learn trainings attended by firm attorneys.