Summer Associate Testimonials

Question: Why did you choose Schiff Hardin?

Stephen Brokaw
University of Illinois College of Law, 2012

The reason I chose Schiff is also what I most enjoyed about my summer: the people. I chose Schiff because every single person I met during the interview process was intelligent, kind and humble. This trend has continued all summer. I think it is increasingly rare to find people who stick with one employer for an entire career. I lost count after the first week of how many attorneys told me what it was like at Schiff when they were summer associates five, ten, fifteen, even twenty years ago, and of paralegals and secretaries who told me similar stories about when they started decades ago. After having spent a summer here, I now know why so few people leave: the people here are passionate about their work and are equally committed to a friendly and team-oriented work environment.

You hear firms boasting of real work to prospective summer associates. But what summer associates seek are real opportunities to showcase our abilities on serious, active matters. In my first week at Schiff Hardin, I researched and prepared a substantive memorandum on fiduciary claims. With my research, the partner advised the client to pursue a countersuit. And the following week, I drafted the ten-count complaint. Upon receiving my draft, the partner made the time to provide me page-by-page feedback. Schiff Hardin offered me not just real work but real opportunities.

Brian O'Connor Watson
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2010

Ashley L. Thompson
University of Michigan Law School, 2009

Schiff Hardin is comprised of a great group of hard-working, intelligent and down-to-earth people. Every person I met has been supportive and interested in helping me learn. My Associate Adviser spent many hours working with me and helping me adapt my writing style to the demands of the 'real world.' I've even spent an afternoon with the Managing Partner discussing clerkship opportunities. After finishing each of my assignments, I received detailed feedback from the assigning partner and as a result, I saw my work product improve over the course of the summer. I really want to be the best lawyer that I can and Schiff Hardin is the kind of place where experienced lawyers will really help me achieve my potential.

Question: What did you enjoy most about your summer at Schiff Hardin?

Tal Cohen
University of Chicago Law School, 2012

What I most enjoyed about my summer at Schiff were all the connections that I made with current Schiff attorneys, both partners and associates. I was incredibly surprised to see how many partners took time out of their days to take summer associates to lunch, attend social events, work with us on assignments, and stop us in the hall just to ask about our weekends. The associates were all helpful, friendly, insightful, and full of advice, especially my associate advisor. In my eight weeks here, I have come to know Schiff as a place with brilliant attorneys who respect each other, work well together, and most importantly, like working with each other. All of the attorneys I met truly made an effort to start building relationships with the summer associates, which demonstrated the firm's awesome culture.

I enjoyed meeting everyone. I remember having lunch with one attorney and thinking that the story she told me sounded like it should have been in a John Grisham novel.

Rachel Remke
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012

Davin Reust
University of Michigan Law School, 2012

My favorite part of being a summer associate at Schiff was the opportunity to contribute to real projects for real clients. On my first day, I did research for an appeal that was due the next week, and everyone helped and supported me every step of the way.

Bina Joshi
University of Illinios College of Law, 2008

The thing I like most about Schiff Hardin is the firm's candor and acceptance. Issues are discussed openly and everybody's opinion is counted. Even as a summer associate you're not just a cog in the wheel — your insights and opinions matter. The firm's atmosphere nurtures discussion and transparency.

Question: Which assignment or project did you enjoy most and why?
Rachel Remke Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012	I really enjoyed working on a sentencing memorandum for a white collar criminal case. I researched arguments to help prevent our client — who had a wife and daughter — from being imprisoned for many years. Some of my work made it into the memorandum that was filed with the Court. It was fantastic to feel like I had helped someone and had been a part of something bigger than myself.

My favorite project required me to draft two motions in limine for a case that was going to trial in a month. The facts were interesting, the issues were complex, and I received direct input and guidance from the partners on the case.

Davin Reust
University of Michigan Law School, 2012

Brian O'Connor Watson
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2010

The evening news and the next day's papers labeled it 'an extraordinary, late afternoon, two-hour hearing.' From this emergency proceeding, the court enforced a consent decree against Illinois' child welfare agency. Or, to be more specific, Schiff Hardin, along with sophisticated research by its summer associates, protected the constitutional rights of 16,000 children.

During my summer here I was able to attend a status hearing with a third-year associate. I was amazed that this associate was handling the hearing on her own and that a partner did not also attend the hearing. As someone interested in litigation, it was great to see that we will have the opportunity to set foot in the courtroom as young associates.

Brooke M. Schaefer
University of Wisconsin Law School, 2009

I had the opportunity to work with our White Collar practice group on one of the city's biggest trials of the summer. It was an incredible experience. Not only did I have the opportunity to observe our skilled lawyers unfold their strong defense strategy in the courtroom, but I also was given two substantive assignments that contributed to the trial. It is an experience that I will not soon forget.

Lalania Gilkey-Johnson
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2008

Matthew G. Schiltz
Northwestern University School of Law, 2008

I actually enjoyed all of my projects, but two stand out. My first research project, a memo for the Product Liability group, gave me the opportunity to have a lot of contact with two senior partners, and it was great to get helpful feedback about my writing early in the summer. I also really enjoyed my work with three other summer associates on the Labor and Employment group's anti-harassment training program. It was definitely satisfying to get to see a large project through from beginning to end, since most of the work in litigation comes in small, discrete pieces.

Question: Which summer event did you enjoy most and why?
Rachel Remke Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2012	I enjoyed the scavenger hunt on Michigan Avenue. It was great to learn about the city and work with other associates. Figuring out the clues and running around to finish in time was a ton of fun, and the happy hour with associates afterwards was a great way to get to know them and relax. The prizes were fantastic too!

Casino night was definitely my favorite event. I was able to play poker while bumping elbows with two people I’d worked with the week before.

Davin Reust
University of Michigan Law School, 2012

Nothing seemed better than gazing out toward the ballpark from my office in the Willis Tower — that is, until one perfect afternoon, when my fellow summers and I were gazing back from the ball park! This event — along with others like it — allowed us to shed office formalities and develop valued friendships.

Brian O'Connor Watson
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 2010