Summer Program FAQ

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	When do I apply?
	Hiring for our summer associate program generally begins in mid-August and is completed by mid-November.
	How will my call-back interview be structured?
	Arrive at our offices at the time of your scheduled interview and you will be greeted by a member of the Hiring Office, who will walk you through the process. Expect to meet with three or four of our lawyers for approximately 20 minute sessions. The call-back interview is normally completed in two hours.
	How long will it take to hear if I have received an offer?
	We make every effort to respond as quickly as practicable, generally within a week of your interview.
	What if I still have questions after I receive an offer?
	We encourage you to return to our offices for another visit. You may request specific attorneys with whom you would like to meet or inform the Hiring Office of the subject matter of your remaining questions and they will determine the appropriate people for you to meet with.
	Does the firm reimburse candidates for travel expenses?
	Yes. If you are an out-of-town student, we will reimburse you for reasonable travel, hotel and meal expenses. Please contact our Hiring Office for more specific guidelines.
	How long is the summer program? Do you allow split summers?
	We require summer associates to work a minimum of ten weeks. Most summer associates spend twelve weeks with us. We do not allow splitting the summer with other law firms. Split summers, however, are allowed with government agencies and other entities providing not-for-profit legal services.
	How is the work distributed to summer associates?
	Each summer associate is assigned a liaison partner. These pairings are made after our considering a variety of factors, including preferred practice area, school affiliation and personal interests. The general role of the liaison partner is to discuss the work interest of the summer associate and secure assignments in those areas. All summer associate assignments are cleared through the liaison partner in order to determine their appropriateness (both in terms of complexity and duration). The liaison partner is charged with the responsibility of helping to assure that the summer associate is exposed to work in any and all areas in which interest has been expressed.
	What level of responsibility will I be given?
	Summer associates are generally treated as if they were first-year associates and are given assignments accordingly. The level of responsibility that the summer associate assumes is determined by the individual personality and capabilities. We find it to be mutually beneficial if the summer associates are exposed to “real” work. Each year the majority of our summer associates are enthusiastic and surprised by the amount of responsibility they were given during their internships.
	Will I be able to work on a pro bono project as a summer associate?
	Yes. Through its partnership program with The Legal Aid Society, Cahill provides pro bono counsel to young children who are the subjects of abuse and neglect proceedings in New York family Courts, disabled individuals in need of Social Security benefits, immigrant youth who are the subjects of abuse, and tenants who are denied the most basic of services. This partnership affords Cahill summer associates the opportunity to represent, on a one-on-one basis, clients who lack legal counsel indispensable to secure rights that will profoundly impact their lives. Many of our summer associates have taken cases on behalf of abused and neglected children and disabled, low income adults. Others have undertaken to handle criminal appeals on behalf of indigent defendants as part of Legal Aid's Criminal Appeals Project. While working with guidance from Legal Aid staff attorneys, our associates have the primary responsibility for all aspects of the appeals, including consulting with the clients, mastering the trial record, formulating issues for appeal, drafting the brief, and conducting oral argument. In addition to the benefits afforded by hands-on experience, Cahill summer associates have repeatedly obtained successful results, securing educational and developmental placements and disability benefits for their pro bono clients. In 2008, Cahill announced that it will be providing a broad range of pro bono assistance to The Door, a youth services agency serving young people between the ages of 12 and 21. Since 1972, The Door has practiced a holistic and human approach that helps each individual member to dismantle the complex barriers that often stand in the way of success. The only criterion for Door membership is age (12-21). Of the 8,000 current members, the majority are between 17 and 20 years of age, with the average being 18. Most are African-American or Hispanic; a growing number are immigrants from China. The Door's Legal Services program makes available pro bono opportunities to Cahill summer associates such as assisting young people in crises through individual representation, participating in immigration and emancipation clinics and helping to conduct workshops to inform and educate on topics of interest.
	Does the firm have a minimum billable hours requirement?
	No.
	Is there a mentor program in place?
	Yes. In addition to the liaison partner system, each summer associate will be assigned an associate liaison. Both the partner and the associate liaison will help the summer associate integrate into firm life as well as track their progress and development.
	How many students will receive an offer?
	In 2007, an offer was made to each summer associate.
	What happens to my offer if I secure a clerkship?
	If you are unable to accept our offer because of the rules of chambers, your offer to join the firm as an associate will remain open.