Law students interested in Jones Walker's summer associate program are strongly encouraged to read these frequently-asked questions. Additional questions and concerns may be addressed during on-campus interviews.

What does Jones Walker look for in a summer associate candidate?

We value students with dynamic skills and personalities. In the recruiting process, we look for exceptionally bright, motivated, and enthusiastic law students. Being a summer associate at Jones Walker also requires keen interpersonal skills, which are instrumental in dealing directly with our attorneys and clients. We hire summer associates with the goal of extending full-time associate employment offers to those who exhibit the interest and qualifications to join us as regular, partnership-track associates.

Does the firm allow split summers?

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage splitting summers between firms, although we ask our summer associates to dedicate at least six weeks to our program. Jones Walker's summer associate program is offered in two sessions to allow flexibility in scheduling clerkships.

What is the interview process like?

Members of our Hiring and Recruiting Committee conduct on-campus interviews during the month of September. We extend summer associate program offers to students directly following the on-campus interview process. After offers have been extended, students are invited to a social event at our offices to meet other attorneys and tour our facilities.

How are summer associates compensated?

Summer associates who have completed two years of law school are paid $1,500 per week. In the event that we hire a first-year law student as a summer associate, he or she will be paid $1,350 per week.

How does Jones Walker distribute summer associate work and projects?

Prior to the start of the summer associate program, the recruiting director sends a list of practice groups to summer associates asking them to specify their areas of interest. Our attorneys then assign summer associates projects tailored to individual interests. Summer associates are encouraged to perform projects across many areas of practice, and may often work with more than one practice group. Jones Walker allows summer associates the option to perform transactional work as well as litigation.

What type of training will I receive as a summer associate?

Upon your arrival, you will go through a brief orientation session headed by our recruiting director. Then each summer associate is trained to use our network systems, including our e-mail and document management systems. Additionally, our summer associates are trained by Westlaw and Lexis representatives.

How will my work be evaluated?

Attorneys typically give summer associates direct and immediate feedback. After completing a project, summer associates send a final copy to the recruiting director, who sends an evaluation form to be completed by the attorney for whom the work was performed. At the end of the summer, we use these evaluations to assist us in determining associate employment offers.

Do I have an assigned adviser?

Yes—we believe it's important for our summer associates to have mentors and other designated contacts within the firm. Each summer associate is assigned two attorneys who help and advise the student throughout the clerkship. Your associate adviser is normally the attorney who will assign your first project, help plan your lunches and other activities each week, and serve as your mentor throughout the process. Your partner mentor is available to speak with you about the nature of work in a specific practice area, what it's like to work at Jones Walker, as well as to provide some professional guidance. Advisers are assigned from practice groups in which a summer associate has expressed interest.

What types of social functions are part of the summer program?

Each summer, Jones Walker makes it a priority to schedule several events and trips to help our summer associates get to know our attorneys and their fellow clerks. Our functions and events are usually held in a casual atmosphere where interaction is part of the fun. You will experience a variety of social activities, such as small dinner parties at attorneys' homes, breakfasts, lunches with partners, cocktail parties, baseball outings, canoe trips, paintball matches, and bowling outings. It's important to us that this broad range of activities also showcases the cultural richness of our communities.

Will I have my own computer?

Yes—each summer, the firm assigns its newest computers to summer associates.

How many summer associates typically receive full-time employment offers?

On average, Jones Walker extends regular, partnership-track associate offers to around 70 percent of our summer associates. Offers are made to summer associates directly from each practice group. A summer associate always has the potential to receive offers from more than one practice group.

What type of office facilities are available at Jones Walker?

Summer associates are assigned a desk or carrel in the library with a computer. Each summer associate has his or her own e-mail address and a direct-dial phone line. We find that summer associates prefer the camaraderie they experience among their peers in the library to the isolation of individual offices.