Kegler Brown • Summer Associate Recruiting: FAQ

Summer Associate Recruiting

Overview • 2L Students • 1L Students • FAQ • NALP Form • Recruiting Committee

FAQ

What makes your firm different from the other large firms in Columbus?
How many summer associates do you plan to have this year?
When will I get the results of an interview for a summer position?
What types of working interaction will we have with the senior partners, as opposed to our contact with associates and the newest partners?
As summer associates, will we have the opportunity to watch the attorneys in action as opposed to just sitting in the library all day?
What will we be doing as summer associates?
What is the legal atmosphere like in Columbus?
What happens if we work here as a summer associate and receive an offer, but we wish to delay our arrival because of a judicial clerkship?
What common interest do the attorneys in the firm have?
What kind of training do you provide for new associates?
What types of clients do you serve?
How soon will I be in the courtroom if I join the litigation area of your firm?
What are the firm's strengths?
Do you have a firm philosophy?
How easy is it to talk to another associate or director about particular projects?
As a summer associate, is there someone I can talk to about problems?
Are summer associates competing for a limited number of permanent offers, or can we all expect to get offers if we are qualified?
How are summer associates evaluated?
I've heard a lot about the concept of marketing law firms. Is your firm involved in marketing?
Does your firm have concern for the quality of life of its attorneys?
Does your firm have or encourage "pro bono" work?
How many hours will I realistically have to work?

What makes your firm different from the other large firms in Columbus?

There are several aspects of our firm that allow us to stand out in the Columbus legal community. One primary characteristic that sets us apart from the other major firms in the City is our "people orientation." Our people genuinely care about one another and they enjoy working together. They have the same feelings about clients and treat them accordingly. We also present a significant opportunity for young lawyers to have very substantial responsibility in challenging legal problems early in their legal careers. A primary reason for this is that our size is conducive to handling the types and size of legal matters that are common to both medium size and larger firms. As a result, our younger lawyers have the opportunity to do things that are usually done by young partners or very senior associates at the other major firms.

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How many summer associates do you plan to have this year?

2-3 second year summer associates and 2-3 first year summer associates.

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When will I get the results of an interview for a summer position?

For both on-campus interviews and in-office call back interviews, we typically respond within one month. If we are not in a position to give you an answer within that time, we will let you know the status of our decision making process.

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What types of working interaction will we have with the senior partners, as opposed to our contact with associates and the newest partners?

One of the benefits of Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter is that someone joining our firm normally has the opportunity to work closely with and learn from the partners in the firm. In fact, it is common for a senior partner and our younger associates to work together as a team, with the younger associate being given a substantial amount of responsibility.

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As summer associates, will we have the opportunity to watch the attorneys in action as opposed to just sitting in the library all day?

Yes. We actively encourage our attorneys to involve summer associates in trials, depositions, business closings or other interactive proceedings. The variety of experiences is dependent upon the work in progress during the summer.

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What will we be doing as summer associates?

Summer associates usually have the opportunity to attend client meetings, assist in preparation for depositions and trials, attend trials, perform research, draft legal documents and learn about caseload management.

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What is the legal atmosphere like in Columbus?

Although the legal community in Columbus is highly competitive, the members of the bar have maintained a collegial and cooperative relationship. The nature of the practice of law has expanded in recent years from purely local interest to a national and international scope.

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What happens if we work here as a summer associate and receive an offer, but we wish to delay our arrival because of a judicial clerkship?

We encourage the diversity of experience that a clerkship offers, and we currently have attorneys who served as judicial law clerks for the United States District Courts in the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Ohio Supreme Court.

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What common interest do the attorneys in the firm have?

The interests of our attorneys are many and varied. As mentioned above, our "people" orientation has created an organization of people who enjoy spending time together, but who also have many diverse interests outside of the workplace.

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What kind of training do you provide for new associates?

We have a first year orientation/training program for new associates. The firm has a training committee that sponsors training programs throughout the year. Moreover, ongoing training is provided as attorneys work on client matters and emphasis is given to providing prompt, regular feedback to each associate. In addition, experienced lawyers often conduct programs in various areas of our firm's practice. We encourage summer associates to attend Area meetings and training programs.

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What types of clients do you serve?

We are proud to represent a diverse clientele that includes many individuals, small businesses, and larger corporate clients including Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.

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How soon will I be in the courtroom if I join the litigation area of your firm?

As soon as you are adequately trained and demonstrate the capability to handle courtroom situations, you will be called upon to perform trial work with Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter. We recruit top associates who we feel will make the most of our hands-on training program.

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What are the firm's strengths?

Its strong "people" orientation; the quality of the attorneys and the work they produce for clients; the positive image of the firm as reflected in ratings given the firm by clients and others in the business community; its location in the heart of Columbus; membership in the State Capital Global Law Firm Group.

Do you have a firm philosophy?

"Providing the highest quality legal services in a timely manner with dedication to the needs of our valued clients."

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How easy is it to talk to another associate or director about particular projects?

Generally very easy. We work hard to be accessible to one another, and we emphasize the need for both formal and informal feedback. We offer formal reviews for associates on a semi-annual basis. We also encourage partners to give feedback on a case-by-case basis, and encourage all attorneys to return a written evaluation on every project. We also encourage summer associates to seek feedback from the attorneys with whom they work. We encourage summer associates to seek out feedback on their performance.

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As a summer associate, is there someone I can talk to about problems?

Yes. The firm has a mentor program to assist summer associates. We also have a director and an associate who coordinate the summer program and will provide help to summer associates on an as-needed basis.

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Are summer associates competing for a limited number of permanent offers, or can we all expect to get offers if we are qualified?

Our projected needs are anticipated in advance, and we hire summer associates with the expectation that there is a permanent position available for each qualified summer associate.

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How are summer associates evaluated?

Our attorneys are asked to provide the Summer Associate Committee and mentors with written evaluations of the work performed by the summer associates. These evaluations are done after each project, and then overall evaluations are solicited over the course of the summer. Summer associates meet with representatives of the Summer Associate Committee both in the middle and at the end of the summer to review evaluations of their performance.

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I've heard a lot about the concept of marketing law firms. Is your firm involved in marketing?

Yes. The legal profession has become a highly competitive business in which clients seek cost-efficient and quality legal services. Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter makes every effort to maintain its current clients, as well as become more widely recognized in the local and national business community. Professional marketing efforts are established consistent with the ethical obligations that apply within the profession.

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Does your firm have concern for the quality of life of its attorneys?

Although the legal profession is a highly demanding one, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter encourages its attorneys to strive to maintain a balance between their personal and professional interests. We believe our attorneys have been highly successful in achieving a satisfying balance.

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Does your firm have or encourage "pro bono" work?

Yes. The firm encourages attorneys to give back to the community through various community activities, including participation in the Lawyers for Justice Program sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association.

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How many hours will I realistically have to work?

Attorneys at Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter are expected to work a minimum of 1,850 billable hours per year and to participate in other firm activities, as well as community service activities.

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