Summer Programs: Kansas City, MO
Day in the Life of a Summer Associate
By Sean Laferte
Summer Associate:
2006
Associate Attorney:
2008-present
Husch Blackwell Sanders Kansas City offers a professional and social atmosphere like no other law firm. The emphasis during your summer will be on developing your skills as an attorney and integrating you into the social family of the firm. From the moment you step into your office, you are given a variety of challenging tasks, a full social calendar, and the opportunity to interact with staff, Associates, and Partners.
Working at Husch Blackwell Sanders
My day typically begins with a few minutes of disbelief that I am looking at downtown Kansas City from my own personal office window. After checking any voicemail or email messages, it's time to get to work. The variety of projects I have is staggering and guarantees that I won't be doing the same thing twice. Although it is possible to work on projects primarily from one practice group, each Summer Associate is encouraged to pursue different projects in all practice fields. You can expect to have approximately 10-15 projects on your desk at any given time. While a number of them may be from the same practice group, each will be distinctive and engaging.
For example, today, my morning consists of attending a deposition and preparing a witness evaluation that my lead attorney will use in trial preparation strategy. Before heading over to the deposition, I spend a few minutes with the attorney discussing exactly what I should be looking for from the witness, such as how they will be perceived by a jury, whether they are credible or not, etc. For lunch I attend an in-house seminar discussing legal writing and more efficient research methods. These working lunches are taught by senior Associates and Partners and are geared towards improving your legal skills.
After lunch, I research how various state legislatures have defined "marriage" in relation to the pro bono adoption case I've been working on. Later in the afternoon, I meet with the other Summer Associates to discuss strategy for our upcoming mock trial against one of our firm's other regional offices.
Whether I am working for a Partner or an Associate, I am asked for my thoughts and input on the project. The attorney also spends time giving me advice on what I did right and what I could do to improve in the future. While I am assigned a mentor at the beginning of the summer, the firm's firmwide open door policy means I can drop by and receive help from the most senior Partners or the most junior Associates. Working at Husch Blackwell Sanders isn't simply about research and writing; it is about doing real work, becoming the best attorney possible, and generating first class work product.
Social Life at Husch Blackwell Sanders
My summer is also filled with a number of social events that provide a chance to meet and interact with staff, Associates and Partners. On Tuesdays, we head out to the softball fields after work to play on the KC Lawyer League team. If there is no softball scheduled, I might spend my evening at dinner with one of the practice group leaders, winning the firm bowling tournament, attending a happy hour with some other attorneys, or rooting for the Royals from the firm's box seats.
Additionally, Husch Blackwell Sanders encourages its Summer Associates to be active in the local bar associations. As a result, I have attended mixers hosted by the LAKC and have played in the KCMBA annual golf tournament. The social events provide a chance to really get to know the people that make Husch Blackwell Sanders so great, and allow me to get a taste of the various attractions that Kansas City offers.