Tyler Cooper relies heavily on the summer program to fulfill its associate hiring needs. Consequently, we apply the same standards for summer associates as we use in the selection and recruiting of our full-time associate lawyers.
The matters assigned to summer associates require careful analysis and are very much like the work of beginning full-time associates. One lawyer for each office is responsible for assigning legal projects to the summer associates and ensuring that each summer associate has an opportunity to work with as many lawyers and in as many different areas of our practice as possible.
We expect summer associates to exhibit the same strengths that we seek in our full-time associates, such as initiative, hard work, dedication, and the ability to produce consistently excellent legal work that meets clients' needs. We make every effort to include summer associates in client meetings, court proceedings, depositions, hearings, negotiations and other activities to give them insight into the day-to-day practice of law at our firm. Summer work is evaluated by the lawyer for whom it is performed, and written work may also be reviewed by a hiring committee member.
Each summer associate is assigned an associate advisor who is available to assist him or her in any way, whether the question is how to record time or how to attack a complex legal project. Summer associates are invited to attend department meetings and firm social events. They also often meet as a group to discuss their experiences and the progress of the program.
In 2008, the weekly salary for first year law school students will be $1,673 and the weekly salary for second year law school students will be $1,827.
The Skills Clinic
Tyler Cooper is committed to providing top-level training to help associates realize their potential to become excellent lawyers. Instituted in 2001, our skills clinic is an important aspect of this commitment. It provides our full-time junior associates and summer associates with a four-day immersion in "real world" practice challenges. Taught by members of the firm, the clinic devotes two days to corporate skills, including contract negotiations and client relationships, and two days to trial advocacy skills, including cross-examination and closing argument.