Q: What makes Blank Rome's summer program so successful?
A: We believe that a large part of the success of our summer program has to do with the amount of time that attorneys invest in it. Our attorneys are committed to the program and to ensuring that our summer associates have a fulfilling, well-rounded experience with us. This is accomplished by providing real, hands-on work for the summer associates as well as significant interaction with our attorneys.
Q: How many summer associates were in the firm's 2023 summer program?
A: We had 27 summer associates firm-wide: 10 in Philadelphia, 6 in New York, and 6 in Washington, D.C., 3 in Los Angeles, and 2 in Houston.
Q. Do you allow split summers?
A: Split summers are permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What are the hiring criteria?
A: We look for exceptional academic achievement, law school activities (law review, moot court, etc.), strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated leadership, and community involvement. Your application must include a resume, transcript, and writing sample.
Q: How do I begin the process of becoming a summer associate at Blank Rome?
A: We hire the majority of our summer associates through on-campus recruiting. Click here for our on-campus interview schedule. If we do not visit your school, or if you are not given a spot on our interview schedule, you may apply online for the office in the office in which you would like to work. Please see the Law Students Home Page for application links.
Q: Will I have a mentor when I am a summer associate?
A: Yes. You will be assigned to one or two preceptors (one partner and one associate) who will give you guidance, support, and feedback throughout the summer.
Q: As a summer associate, how do I receive my assignments?
A: You will select your own projects from a database of assignments posted on our Intranet by our attorneys, firm-wide. You can pick and choose between practice groups, areas of interest, and office locations.
Q: Will I be rotating between practice groups or will I be assigned to one group for the summer?
A: We do not have a formal rotation system nor do we assign summer associates to practice groups. We feel that it is important for you to have well-rounded projects so that you are exposed to as many of our practice groups as possible to enable you to make an informed decision as to what area of law you want to practice.
Q: How am I evaluated as a summer associate?
A: We provide you with formal and informal feedback throughout the summer. A formal review is scheduled two to three times during the summer, including an end of summer review.
Q: Do you hire first-year students for your summer program?
A: While this answer varies from year to year and office to office, we have historically hired first-year students for our Philadelphia summer program through the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group 1L Program, as well as our Blank Rome Scholars Program. Our Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., offices hire 1L students through our Blank Rome Scholars Program.
Q: What is Blank Rome's Public Interest 1L Program?
A: Blank Rome will allow 1L students who have accepted an offer to return to our firm for a second summer program to split their second summer between Blank Rome and a local public interest organization, while receiving full pay from Blank Rome.
Q: As a first-year associate, will I be able to have client contact?
A: Entry-level associates have substantial client contact and assume major responsibility for our clients’ legal affairs as soon as possible.
Q: Will I have an opportunity to work on pro bono matters?
A: Pro bono involvement is encouraged across our firm. All of our summer associates attend a presentation on our firm's pro bono efforts by Kathy Ochroch, our Director of Pro Bono Services, and are invited to participate in pro bono projects throughout the summer program. Summer associates are an integral part of the pro bono team and have worked on matters as varied as asylum proceedings, child custody, domestic violence, estate planning for low-income senior citizens, and death penalty appeals. Click here to view the organizations with which our summer associates have worked.
Q: What type of training do you offer your summer associates and attorneys?
A: Blank Rome is committed to hiring, training, mentoring, retaining, and advancing an exceptional group of diverse attorneys, and providing them with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We recognize that individuals learn in a variety of ways. Accordingly, in addition to our rich learning culture due to the commitment and countless hours spent by of our partners sharing their knowledge, we have developed a wide array of learning opportunities and programs to assist our lawyers in achieving their personal professional goals. Please refer to our Learning & Development page to learn more about our learning opportunities.
Q: What types of in-person social events can I expect during the summer?
A: We make every effort to ensure that the summer program is an enjoyable experience in which you will be given the opportunity to work on interesting and challenging assignments, as well as to meet and interact with many of our attorneys throughout our firm. In the past, our social events have included:
- Bowling
- Cooking Events
- Community Service Projects
- Yankees/Mets, Phillies, and Nationals games
- Wine and Chocolate Tastings
- Kayaking
- Axe Throwing
- Concerts
Q: What is your summer associate salary?
A: Our summer associate compensation is proportionate to first-year entry-level compensation. Summer associates are paid semi-monthly with the rest of our firm.
Q: What is your dress code?
A: Blank Rome’s dress code is Business Casual year round.