“When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” – John F. Kennedy
The issue is mettle. The world’s largest law firms rightfully cultivate reputations for overcoming adversity. Big Law is tenacious in crafting solutions to clients’ impossible problems. And Big Law prides itself on innovation.
In the throes of uncertainty, canceling summer associate programs may seem logical. Indeed, writing in The American Lawyer, Hugh Simons encourages that path.
Not so fast. The cost would be real. In this environment, actions to help maintain normalcy generate copious goodwill. And firms have already proved that remote work can work.
Promising offers in lieu of a summer program is not a panacea. No one can predict what the legal market will look like in 12 months. And in the last recession, firms learned that rescinding offers only makes matters worse.
Years after the 2009 recession, I met with the career office at one of the nation’s top law schools. With robotic precision, the law school career advisers ticked off how various firms had treated “their” law students in the wake of that downturn. They had kept score. And they insisted that women and minorities had fared worse.
Incoming summer associate classes are more diverse than ever. Many firms have started or expanded diversity fellowships and summer programs for first-generation lawyers. These are the same students who are now so concerned and confused.
As a former law firm partner, I recognize the imperative to conserve cash. But the current crisis also reminds me of sage advice from a recruiting manager at an Am Law 50 firm: “If there is a fire, partners want associates who will walk toward the fire.”
A billboard on a normally busy Seattle thoroughfare proclaims: “Now is the Time to Stand Out.” And many of the country’s most prestigious law firms are striving to make virtual summer programs succeed. The logistical issues are the same ones that firms have already solved for their full-time professionals, such as providing secure network access. And firms already have years of experience distributing assignments by email.
With travel and entertainment off the table, virtual programs will cost far less than traditional programs. Some firms are also shortening their programs, reducing costs even more.
There are creative ways to pull off a summer program and save money. Programming can be webcast and meetings can be virtual. Even the social aspects are not insurmountable.
Under the circumstances, no solution is perfect. Every choice is challenging. But firms now have a unique opportunity to demonstrate ingenuity. That trait is on display from institutions around the globe. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra played Beethoven—from home. Virtual happy hours happen every day. And virtual team-building exercises are not new.
Firms can use mobile apps to create virtual scavenger hunts. Summer associates can work on teams to complete challenges, gathering information about firm lawyers and firm history. Photos document the completion of each successful challenge, and the apps automatically tally the results. This is just one example.
Pressing on with summer programs will show the best of Big Law. And the programs will give brilliant law students the real-world experience they were promised. This is paramount for first-generation and diverse candidates.
Just as there is a business case for pro bono, there is a business case for not canceling summer. There are no easy answers. But if firms drop summer programs entirely, some will say that COVID-19 has won.
Grover Cleveland is the founder and principal of Lessons for Sharks LLC and the author of Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks: The Essential Guide to Thriving as a New Lawyer. He provides interactive programs on law career success for Am Law 200 firms. Grover is a former partner at Foster Garvey in Seattle, where his clients included the Seattle Seahawks. He is not related to the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.
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April 07, 2020 at 12:13AM
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The Case for Saving Summer Programs | The American Lawyer - The American Lawyer
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