Preparations were made for the 2020 Summer Associate Program several months ago, but as we approached the summer months, significant changes to the way we live and the way we conduct business became the new “normal”. Amidst the uncertainly, one thing remains constant - our commitment to our clients, community, and co-workers. We are proud that our implementation of the necessary safety protocols, procedures, and technology allowed us to maintain business continuity, and enabled us to proceed with our annual Summer Associate program. Although internal and client meetings, trials, and events were held virtually, the Summer Associates remained active participants and were assigned the same workload and legal assignments as prior years. Rotating office schedules allowed for time to be spent in the West Palm Beach office for socially distanced interactions with our attorneys and staff.
Jones Foster’s Summer Associate Program is designed to allow law students to work with multiple practice groups to broaden their knowledge and facilitate communication with attorneys in each department. They are challenged with a variety of projects and have the opportunity to attend trials, hearings, depositions, and negotiations. Each receives firsthand experience by participating in departmental meetings, working with clients, and learning from our experienced attorneys and esteemed Shareholders. This year’s program included an introduction to marketing and business development, an often overlooked yet increasingly important area of study for young attorneys seeking to build a practice.
The 2020 Summer Associates, Hanna Rubin, Kassie Satterly, and John Campos, reflect on their time at Jones Foster and share takeaways from their unique experience.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your time as a summer associate?
A: I enjoyed working with many attorneys and on a wide variety of legal issues. The diversity of assignments I received allowed me to learn a lot about the practice of law in a short period of time.
Q: What is one of your most significant accomplishments during your time at Jones Foster?
A: I was thrilled to have the chance to work with one of the corporate law attorneys, Senior Counsel Kevin Lamb, to research and draft an article about the effect of COVID-19 on distressed M&A transactions. It allowed me to examine a timely issue that is changing due to the impact of the pandemic, much like our lives are right now. It also pushed me to learn about an area of law in which I had not previously worked and helped me to become comfortable enough with the topic to write about it. I feel genuinely proud of this project not only because of the end product but also because it expanded my knowledge.
Q: Despite the challenges of Covid-19 in the workplace this summer, how were you able to adjust and make the most of the Summer Associate program?
A: Like many industries, the legal field has moved online during the pandemic, and that move presented some unexpected opportunities. I enjoyed observing hearings, mediations, and other proceedings via Zoom and attending a virtual panel hosted by a local organization. I also felt that working on a wide range of different legal issues allowed me to learn a lot during the program.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your time as a summer associate?
A: I enjoyed working one-on-one with my supervising attorneys. As a summer associate, I was able to collaborate with experienced attorneys on a wide variety of cases. In these interactions, I was challenged to think outside of the box and advocate for clients.
Q: How has the program helped you to prepare you for a future in law?
A: The Summer Associate Program allowed me to experience life as a practicing attorney for the first time since starting my path towards a career in law. The program helped me develop practical skills that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
Q: Despite the challenges of Covid-19 in the workplace this summer, how were you able to adjust and make the most of the Summer Associate program?
A: COVID-19 presented new challenges, and I am thankful to Jones Foster for making accommodations so that the program continued safely. With the help of modern technology, especially Zoom, my experience went largely uninterrupted. In some instances, it even created opportunities to observe meetings I would not have been able to attend otherwise.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your time as a summer associate?
A: I enjoyed the opportunity to research challenging questions that were posed to me in areas of law that I was not well versed in, and it helped me to further develop problem-solving skills. The immersive experience of working in a law firm was valuable because it has given me practical insights beyond classroom learning.
Q: Did the experience of working with different practice groups provide insight into any new areas of interest?
A: I learned a great deal about the strategies underlying the different elements of a litigation matter. Understanding the overall strategy of a lawsuit was a great learning experience for me.
Q: Despite the challenges of Covid-19 in the workplace this summer, how were you able to adjust and make the most of the Summer Associate program?
A: Although face-to-face interactions were limited due to Covid-19, I made the most of those opportunities which helped me become acclimated and feel like a part of the firm. The rotating office schedule allowed me to meet with most of the attorneys, and even if I didn’t have an assignment with a particular attorney, I feel that I gained a lot through those interactions.
Jones Foster is a commercial and private client law firm headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. Established in 1924, the Firm has served as an integral part of South Florida’s growth and prosperity for nearly a century. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jones Foster delivers original legal solutions that help clients, colleagues, and the community to move forward. The Firm’s attorneys focus their practice in Real Estate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Private Wealth, Trusts & Estates, Corporate & Tax, and Land Use & Governmental. For more information, please visit www.jonesfoster.com.
