collaboration collegiality culture - foster pepper … · 5 collabora ture art social mentors...
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COLLABORATION COLLEGIALITY
CULTUREEXPERIENCE WHAT SETS
FOSTER PEPPER APART
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AT A GLANCE
Foster Pepper is the fourth largest law firm in Washington State, with offices in Spokane and Seattle. Ranked among the best regional law firms in the nation, we offer a diverse range of practice areas and have some of the most respected and skilled attorneys in the country.
Our summer associate program is designed to be professionally and personally fulfilling, with an emphasis on one-on-one mentorship, frequent feedback, and access to high quality projects. We hire motived and passionate students who have the acumen and interpersonal skills to become excellent attorneys, and who have a desire to practice in Washington upon graduation.
2L Summer Associate applications for the upcoming summer are considered in May and all 2L Summer Associate interviews are concluded by mid-October.
Our 10-week summer program runs from late May through mid-August. We typically discourage “split” summers with another law firm, but on a case-by-case basis will consider splits that ensure a minimum of 10 weeks at Foster Pepper.
This brochure summarizes our summer program and highlights what sets Foster Pepper apart. Questions should be directed to Bethany Brown, Senior Manager of Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development.
“The Summer Program was both challenging and extremely rewarding. My summer provided me with
a candid view of daily life at the firm and I had countless opportunities to interact with attorneys and staff on a wide variety of interesting projects.
The summer social events also made it easy to meet new people and integrate into the firm community. By the end of my summer, I knew Foster Pepper
was a place I could grow and thrive.”
– Philip Paine, Associate (Summer Associate, 2014)
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COLLABORATION, COLLEGIALITY, CULTURE EXPERIENCE WHAT SETS FOSTER PEPPER APART
THE EXPERIENCE
The Summer Associate experience is structured to be educational, entertaining, and engaging. The first week kicks off with an all-firm breakfast and week-long orientation. During this time Summer Associates begin taking on cutting-edge work that will help them determine what practice area they want to join for the long-term. Our robust social calendar is geared to introduce Summer Associates to a large cross section of attorneys and staff, which allows them to get to know the firm culturally and our attorneys personally. The goal is for Summer Associates to finish up the program excited to return to the firm full-time.
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THE TEAM
WORKFLOW COORDINATORS
One unique aspect of Foster Pepper’s program is that a Workflow Coordinator is assigned to every Summer Associate. The Workflow Coordinator’s role is to ensure steady, quality workflow and to provide support and guidance. Before attorneys can submit a project, they must show that it is educationally valuable and provides a practical component. Past projects include:
Researching and writing legal memoranda for clients;
Preparing for, attending and arguing in court;
Participating in client meetings;
Drafting legal documents;
Participating in negotiations.
There are six Workflow Coordinators who report to the firm’s Summer Associate Recruiting Committee (SARC) on Summer Associate’s progress and individual needs. At the end of each rotation the Workflow Coordinator provides a comprehensive summary to SARC regarding the Summer Associate’s work product and overall performance. Each Summer Associate receives comprehensive feedback throughout the summer.
THE WORK
Summer Associates rotate through multiple practice groups. Before assignments are finalized, the firm asks for practice preferences, interests, and background. The goal is for each Summer Associate to finish the summer with a strong work product portfolio, a solid understanding of varying attorney and practice group work styles, and a sense of which area of law s/he finds most interesting.
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COLLABORATION, COLLEGIALITY, CULTURE EXPERIENCE WHAT SETS FOSTER PEPPER APART
SOCIAL MENTORS
Another factor that sets Foster Pepper’s program apart is its phenomenal people, collegial environment, and the extent to which the firm cares about not only the overall experience, but each Summer Associate’s success. To ensure integration and a positive experience, a Social Mentor is assigned to each Summer Associate. Social Mentors help their respective mentees take advantage of social opportunities, encourage healthy work-life balance, and help their mentee interact with as many attorneys and staff as possible.
Social Mentors also advise on firm protocol, policies, and help resolve interpersonal issues.
Importantly, to ensure an open exchange of information, Social Mentors do not report to SARC or have a “vote” as to whether their mentee should receive an offer from the firm.
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THE SOCIAL ASPECT
Summer Associates participate in various social events organized to showcase the Pacific Northwest and interact with Foster Pepper attorneys and staff.
Favorite events from previous summer associate programs include:
Seattle Mariners baseball games
Seattle Sounders soccer matches
Seattle Storm basketball games
Golf outings
Sailing outings
Hosted dinners at Members’ homes
Volunteer events
Cooking school
Lake Union motorboat scavenger hunt
Concerts
THE SCHEDULE
Summer Associates set their own work schedules. To discourage any competition over billable hours and to leave sufficient time for social participation there is a 25 hour cap per week on work.
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COLLABORATION, COLLEGIALITY, CULTURE EXPERIENCE WHAT SETS FOSTER PEPPER APART
“Foster Pepper really goes the extra mile for you. The summer program includes both a Work Flow Coordinator – to help you manage the work load – and a Social Mentor – to get you integrated in
Seattle and firm life. Your experience as a Summer Associate is truly an accurate reflection of what
associate life is like at Foster Pepper.”
– Yan Perng, Associate (Summer Associate, 2013)
THE EDUCATIONAL ELEMENT
Foster Pepper’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) focuses on associate growth and development. The PDC relies on input from Associates, Members, firm leadership and industry best practices to create contemporary programs and policies that foster associate development, satisfaction, and success.
Summer Associates participate in the firm’s various in-house training programs, which may include practice discipline-specific programs, practice trainings, and general and specific skill-building trainings offered by in-house and/or external presenters. In addition, Summer Associates can take advantage of Foster Pepper’s subscription to the Practicing Law Institute’s online service, including CLEs, course materials, law review articles, white papers and other resources.
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COLLABORATION, COLLEGIALITY, CULTURE EXPERIENCE WHAT SETS FOSTER PEPPER APART
THE PRO BONO INITIATIVE
Foster Pepper has a longstanding tradition of pro bono, philanthropy, and corporate social responsibility. Providing pro bono is an important element of every attorney professional responsibility, and the firm encourages participation in public service activities that cultivate better attorneys and build stronger communities. Foster Pepper also employs a full-time Pro Bono Partner who directs the firm’s nationally recognized and award-winning Pro Bono Program.
Each summer, the Summer Associate class is assigned a pro bono project, which creates an opportunity for the class to become published (the finished product will be a manual or a resource) and learn about an area of law that encourages positive systemic policy change. Past projects include the Craniofacial Pediatric Access Project, Access to Healthy Foods Washington, Helping Children of Incarcerated Juveniles, Access to Transportation, and Effective Advocacy for Abused and Neglected Children.
“Working as a Summer Associate at Foster Pepper was a wonderful experience. I felt immediately
welcomed into the Foster Pepper family and had many opportunities to get to know attorneys at social events. I worked on a wide variety of
meaningful projects that gave me excellent insight into the life of a Foster Pepper Associate.”
– Emily Kelly, Associate (Summer Associate, 2012)
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THE PROCESS
Summer Associates are recruited primarily through On-Campus Interviews (OCI). Students at law schools where Foster Pepper does not participate in OCI are encouraged to apply directly to Bethany Brown, the firm’s Senior Manager of Attorney Recruitment and Professional Development. Applications must include a cover letter, current resume, and law school transcript. Applications that do not include these materials will not be considered. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting in May.
Applicants with outstanding credentials are selected for an initial interview either at Foster Pepper or at the candidate’s law school. During first round interviews, students meet with one or two representatives from the firm’s Summer Associate Recruiting Committee. These representatives recommend whether to invite the student back to the firm for an extended callback interview. During the callback interview, the student meets eight attorneys from various practice groups across the firm. Candidates are informed whether they have been selected on a rolling basis. All offers made will be kept open for 28 days, consistent with the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) guidelines.
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COLLABORATION, COLLEGIALITY, CULTURE EXPERIENCE WHAT SETS FOSTER PEPPER APART
“During my first summer with Foster Pepper I discovered a community that facilitated successful work experiences and the development of mentor
relationships. The access to a wide variety of projects allowed me to develop my professional
interests, but also allowed me to work on projects that made a social impact. Throughout the summer, social events provided great opportunities to absorb
the firm culture. All these experiences made the decision of returning to Foster Pepper an easy one.”
– Paul Heer (Summer Associate, 2014 and 2015)
NALP FORM
To download the NALP form visit: www.nalpdirectory.com
APPLICATION PROCESS
To submit an application, upload your materials (cover letter, resume and law school transcript) through our website at: www.foster.com/careers
COMPENSATION
Summer Associate salaries are determined during the first quarter of each year, and are competitive with the local market. Compensation for Summer Associates in 2016 was $2,400 per week.
