Topic: Work Assignments - All Summer Associates (July 7, 2008)

Being a summer associate at Quarles & Brady has given me the opportunity to work on a wide variety of interesting and challenging assignments.  I have conducted legal research on issues that are both local and national in scope.  I have also been able to assist attorneys in drafting, amending and proofreading pleadings and other court documents.  While the work assignments are challenging and can seem daunting at times, I have always found the attorneys in the office to be more than willing to provide any of the assistance I needed.  One of the greatest benefits of being a summer associate at Quarles & Brady is that you are not stuck behind your desk all week long.  There are multiple opportunities to observe Q & B attorneys participate in court proceedings, depositions, mediations, etc.  This summer has been a wonderful opportunity for me to grow in my legal knowledge and learn more about the practical aspects of being an attorney.
-- Marshall Bender / Naples Office (The University of Florida Levin College of Law, Class of 2009)

I was lucky enough to know which practice group I was interested in before I started this summer.  The Naples office has been incredibly supportive of my desire to do Trust and Estate work, and they've found creative ways to give me a real feel for what a T&E lawyer does.  I've revised probate petitions, drafted amendments to trusts, helped clients fund trusts and move property between trusts, researched and prepared memos on topics like qualified personal residence trusts and homestead issues, and written letters that keep clients up to date on changes to the law and the work we do on their behalf because of those changes.  It's been an amazing summer so far, and I can't wait to see what I get to work on next.
-- Kim Bevis / Naples Office (The University of Florida Levin College of Law, Class of 2009)

The Work Assignment System has kept things very organized for me.  It has also been a very useful tool in ensuring that I stay busy.  It is convenient to gather work from attorneys in person and check the system for more work when I start to run low.  The assignments themselves have been from a number of practice groups, which is exactly what I was hoping for.  The assignments have all been interesting, although this may be due to the fact that my work is real, as opposed to law school assignments.  Overall I am very pleased with the type and amount of work I have been doing.
-- Phil Bresson  / Naples Office (The University of Florida Levin College of Law, Class of 2009)

What can I say about the work assignments?  Well, first of all, it is another great way to start to meet other attorneys in the office.  I have worked with the newest of associates as well as the most senior of partners.  I guess no matter what your position is within the firm, you can always use a little help.  Secondly, I was surprised by how "new" every project is to me.  It's always a different area of law and a brand new set of facts.  It is nice because it keeps things fresh, but I wouldn't mind getting a few more repeat assignments so that I am not always starting a square one.  Then again, it's hard not to start at square one because most assignments are not building off your expertise in first year Contracts (although, believe it or not, there have been a few).  The last thing I would add, is that I am not sure how, but I think law school prepares you for this stuff.  I know that I would not be able to do these assignments without my two years of law school, but I feel as if I have never done any of it in law school.  Oh well.  I am sure when I head back for my third year I will forget how to outline because I have not been doing that this summer.  So it goes.  Well, that is it for now.  It is time to get back to work!
-- Kevin Burns / Chicago Office (University of Iowa College of Law, Class of 2009)

The work assignments this summer have been both varied and engaging.  For instance, I've worked with a State Bar committee in updating Wisconsin's limited partnership laws, I've drafted minutes of a corporate board meeting, and I've worked on the appeal of a person convicted for armed bank robbery.  Summer associates really have the opportunity to take assignments from virtually any practice group that interests them, and the assignments are for real clients on real matters.
-- Alexander Gore / Milwaukee Office (University of Wisconsin Law School, Class of 2009)

To this point of the summer, I am very pleased with the quality of work assignments and the flexibility we have in choosing them.  Being interested in Intellectual Property, I feel fortunate to have already worked on a few US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Office Actions.  From completing these assignments, I have learned a lot about patent prosecution and some new areas of technology.  I also felt like I was helping out the assigning attorney by working on a product that would eventually be filed with the USPTO in order to try to obtain a patent for our client.  Although I am interested in Intellectual Property, I have also been able to work on assignments from other practice groups as well.  I have worked on research for the Commercial Litigation Group, worked with another Summer Associate doing document review for the Corporate Services Group, and am currently helping out with a brief for a 7th Circuit criminal appeal in a pro bono case.  This quality and variety in work assignments have helped make the summer very enjoyable.
-- Luke Kohtala / Milwaukee Office (University of Wisconsin Law School / Class of 2009)

The work assignments that I have had this summer have been varied and interesting.  I drafted a legal opinion for the Corporate Services group, a complaint for the Litigation group, and several memos for the Tax Exempt group.  I have also had the opportunity to work on two appellate cases, which has been great because it is my primary area of interest.
-- Brooke Krekow / Chicago Office (Northwestern University School of Law / Class of 2009)

I can't believe my summer at Quarles is already half over.  I've received a wide variety of work assignments that have helped me focus my interests.  I've taken projects from the corporate services, environmental, tax, products liability, labor and employment, and commercial litigation groups.  I even did a research project for a family law attorney.  The assignments are challenging and fun, and the best part is knowing that attorneys here will use my work.
-- Melissa McCord / Milwaukee Office (Marquette University Law School / Class of 2009)

The assignments have been both diverse and difficult. As a first year law student, I do not have confidence in the language of the law so certain assignments have presented a bit of a challenge. However, I am learning a lot and through the course of the summer have grown an appreciation for research and writing.
-- Everett Mitchell / Madison Office (University of Wisconsin Law School, Class of 2010)

I was surprised by how many different practice areas I have been able to get work in so far.  I have gotten projects in litigation, corporate, real estate, public finance, and even a pro bono project, all in my first five weeks.  The work has been interesting and real, making it fun and exciting to come to work everyday.
-- Andrew Monfre / Milwaukee Office (Marquette University Law School / Class of 2009)

The assignments I worked on this summer were extremely interesting and challenging.  I was also able to get a wide variety of projects from several practice groups, including litigation, bankruptcy, health care, and labor/employment.  Over the course of the summer, I was able to narrow my interests down significantly.  Overall, the work was cutting-edge and more than exceeded my expectations!
-- Kerryn Moore / Phoenix Office (Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Class of 2009)

This summer is just what I was hoping for in terms of work assignments. I thought coming in that I was inclined towards litigation, but I wanted to get some exposure to other practice groups before making a decision.  So far this summer, I've received work assignments from the following groups: corporate, tax exempt, litigation, and bankruptcy.  I also worked on a personal income tax issue. And we're only half way through the summer.  I feel that by the end of the summer I will know what practice group I'd like to go into after graduation, which is great!
-- Shannon O'Boye / Chicago Office (Chicago-Kent College of Law, Class of 2009)