ATL Contest: Best Summer Associate Event of 2009
This year’s batch of summer associates are roughing it at Biglaw summer camp, with fewer meals out on the firm and less lavish events. To make matters worse, some summers are being told now that their future job will be deferred. Summer associates at Skadden and Ropes & Gray have been informed that they can’t come back to the camping ground until 2011. Tents can’t be repitched at Orrick until 2012.
This seems like a good time to focus on the light side of the summer associate experience. For the past month, we’ve been soliciting entries for our Summer Associate Event Contest of 2009. They came trickling in slowly, whether because there aren’t many events to brag about or because summer associates are too busy (or too scared) to email us. One SA was so fearful of “tipping” us that the announcement about the firm’s event was sent anonymously via snail mail. [FN1]
One ATL reader from a small firm had this to say about the environment at firms this summer:
Our firm does a lot of corporate bankruptcy work, so we’re faring better in this economic storm than most, but we had to scale back our summer associate program a bit. We do not have as many summer associates as we used to, and we are not having as many major, expensive events. No more big-ticket concerts; no more dinner theater on a river boat; no more renting out an entire movie theater for a pre-release movie showing….Certainly, the difficulties of this economy are showing in the makeup of our summer class: because we have a summer program at all (unlike many law firms), we’re getting students from higher ranked schools. Most of them are from Top 20 law schools, all of them from Top 75 law schools, none of them from the fourth-tier local law school that usually supplies some of our summer class. And our summer associates are noticeably more stressed about the experience and their prospects than I’ve seen in the past 10 summers.
Despite the foregoing, we have a nice selection of events for the contest. We ask you to vote on the best one, plus offer a few honorable mentions (for events involving public urination and broken bones), after the jump.
Here are the entries:
A. Sidley Austin (New York) took its summers to see the Broadway musical Billy Elliot in June (shortly after the show cleaned up at the Tony Awards). Pretty snazzy! Lat is trying to get tickets for a month out, and all that’s available is the last row in rear mezz (unless you spring $250+ for a premium seat).
But dinner was at John’s Pizzeria — excellent pizza, but not lavish, with an average check of $15-20 — and tickets to the show were “distributed on a first response basis.”
B. Can Cleary Gottlieb “beat it” with this event? Cleary D.C. took its summer class to a Michael Jackson tribute band concert at the 9:30 Club on the night of M.J.’s death. From the tipster:
Pretty impressive considering they had to get all the tickets within minutes after he died.
C. Cadwalader NYC’s program is really “stripped down” this year. It took its summers to a Mets game. Afterwards, a few associates and summers traveled from Citi Field to Titty Field, though the strip club inning was not sanctioned by the firm.
D. Summers at Carlton Fields in Tampa aren’t just fishing for jobs:
Friday, June 5: “Fishing Trip” including 5 large boats, 20+ Associates and Partners, 10 Summer Associates, cases and cases of beer (with tons leftover), starting at 9:00 AM, a stop for lunch at a beach bar, another stop at a bar later in the afternoon, everyone swimming together while boats tied up together, finally coming back to marina at 7:30 PM. Logo Beer Cuzies included. Partners, Associates, and Summer Associates all swimming together drunk. Awesome.
E. Summers in the Dallas office of Fish & Richardson are managing to skate by despite the recession. They took part in a roller derby last month, called “HARPDRYGAL IV.” We don’t have any details about the actual event, but here’s some background on what “Harpdrygal” is (beyond an amalgamation of the last names of its organizers — this guy and this guy), and an excerpt from the invitation sent to summers (reciting the history of past Harpdyrgal celebrations):
HARPDRYGAL I was taking summers to the return of WWE Friday Night SmackDown. HARPDRYGAL II was taking summers to a PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event. HARPDRYGAL III was taking summers to a derby race and demolition derby.Below is the email that went out today about HARPDRYGAL IV.
The summer clerk event of the year, HARPDRYGAL IV, is officially a go for Saturday! (Although it was touch and go for a while.)
After lengthy negotiations, we just received word that the firm’s personal liability insurance carrier has approved the event. At the carrier’s request, there will be a bit more safety equipment provided for this year’s event and we will need all participants to sign a multi-page waiver/assumption of risk agreement. But you can feel free to ignore the small print on the contract (the risk of actual dismemberment is very, very low and there is much better medication for radiation poisoning than a few years ago …).
Anyway, the final details will be released sometime later today or tomorrow, but for the summers — and the few very lucky attorneys that get invited to attend — the event promises to be great once again! Yes, the economy stinks, the world is in turmoil, and cutbacks are taking place everywhere. But Harpdrygal is immune from such issues because , , , well, mainly because the event is so cheap and lowbrow that it can’t be hurt by lack of funding.
Here’s the poll, followed by our dishonorable mentions. Poll closes Sunday night.
Thanks for these submissions, but we didn’t think they made “the best of the best” list.
This comes from a U.S. office of a U.K. firm:
On an event that included a 2-hour drive in a stretch Hummer with drinks (beer and liquor), one of the summers apparently had a weak bladder and couldn’t make it all the way to the destination. To avoid a puddle, he asked the driver to stop the vehicle on the side of the interstate (we were in traffic at the time), which he did. The summer proceeded to urinate for about 2 minutes on the road alongside the Hummer, in full view (from the waist up) of the others on the trip. Also travelling in the vehicle were all of the summer associates, a few partners, the head of HR, the summer program coordinator and an assortment of other colleagues.
This comes from a Biglaw Los Angeles office:
A summer associate fell down a flight of steps at a firm karaoke event. She apparently required several hours of emergency surgery, and rumors have suggested that she may be severely injured. She was supposedly very drunk at the time.
[FN1] Please rest assured that we take the confidentiality of our tipsters very seriously. We would even, a la Judy Miller, go to jail — at least for a week or two, as a publicity stunt — to protect the identity of an anonymous source.
If you don’t want to email us — which you can safely do using a personal account, on your home computer or personal iPhone or Blackberry — you can:
No anthrax, please. Thanks!
Earlier: ATL Contest: What’s the Best Summer Associate Event of 2009?
A Stripped-Down Summer Associate Event at Cadwalader
(102) Comments
Comments
Not sure how to vote. The Cleary event is the "coolest" but the fishing trip sounds like the "funnest" (is that a word).
These are the best there is? Each of these would be one of the worst events at my V10 firm last year... but I guess we didn't even make the list this year.
These events and the silly stories that follow them reflect that some firms and summer associates remain oblivious to the fact that the nature of "the game" has changed.
Best summer event this year is not getting canned.
Where am I supposed to vote?
Do yall know what's going to happen to Karen Williams's clerks?
The only thing the class of 2009 should be thankful for is that we got to enjoy the last of the true NYC summer program experience. Last summer, even though the writing was on the wall as far the economy goes, firms were still spending cash like it was 1999.
It was definitely the best summer of my life. Although now it just seems like a cruel tease.
6,
I don't know, but that really sucks for them. My sympathy goes out to the two people that did everything right and still got the shaft.
-Not 6
D sounds like a lot of fun, but I have to go with C!
Shouldn't "Scared 3L" have changed his moniker by this point?
All I can say is, I'm quite sure there are a lot of events that nobody is reporting for fear of rubbing someone the wrong way and not getting an offer...I know I'm one of them.
Out of these, I'd say the fishing trip comes in a close second...would win, but really, fishing/boating trip in Tampa is kind of expected in a way. Given the apparent impossibility of getting good seats to Billy Elliot, I go with Sidley. But all in all I'd rather be ON A BOAT
Donde esta el footnoteo?
D-Carlton Fields-FISHING TRIP.....The other events sound cool, but not as cool as the all day fishing trip.
-not a carlton fields summer/associate/partner, just a bored graduate studying for the bar
5 - Weird, poll was gone. But now it is back.
Footnote is back too, at the end of the post.
We let the summers wear jeans one Friday. Of course, the ones who did will not be receiving offers.
Sidley probably ordered those tickets months in advance, ie before it was impossible to get seats and before it was extra expensive.. So really, nicely done to the recruiting group for knowing which shows to get tickets to...
also, the theater tickets at sidley are ALWAYS first come first serve- but only for the entire firm, who have the option to attend. the summers always get their tickets priority.
I thought the MJ cover band was already scheduled to perform that night. Cleary just lucked out at the timing.
Billy Eliot - gay
Mets - gay
MJ - dead
Fishing - gay as Kanye
Roller derby - not sure what to say about that.
My firm took us to Pebble Beach for a 4 day weekend.
I'm a Seton Hall summer at Orrick. Should I be scared?
Our summers had a great time at the Isle of Lucy Jazz and Blues festival. Very high-energy event, simply explosive!
lol @ seton hall student in #20. there will be heightened demand for michael jackson cover bands in the foreseeable future. hope you can dance.
lol @ seton hall student in #20. there will be heightened demand for michael jackson cover bands in the foreseeable future. hope you can dance.
21 - Roxana
simply explosive?? really? simply explosive...hmm
21 simply explosive?? really? simply explosive...hmm
My gaping Orrick is killing me.
where's tampa and why does the fresh prince guy have a law firm there?
19 is gay and proud of it. And there is nothing wrong with that.
These options all suck. Really, this is the best going on this Summer? Can't be.
I know numerous summers that have slept around with associates -- that counts as a best summer event, right?
Hmmm... One of the partners keeps bemoaning the state of the economy, and making generalized statements such as "No one is hiring!" Yet the summer associates keep getting assignments. Do work assignments count as "events?"
7 - Dashboard confessional called, they want their emo pic icon back.
i'm calling BS on the hummer story. someone peed for 2 minutes? really? do you know how much liquid would have to be in someones bladder to produce a stream for 2 whole minutes?
Summer associates need to bend over and take it up the ass if they expect to get a real job any time in the next several years. There are plenty of jobs available in prison for jailhouse lawyers, only you have to be an inmate to qualify, and that entails much bending over in the showers. If bending over isn't for you, then I would suggest that you kiss your sweet ass goodbye.
My firm brought me to Swiss Chalet. It's foreign, so it's cool
32 -- the pic represents the very real anxiety we deferred associates feel. The fact that you used the term "emo" suggests you are, at the most, 17 years old.
Having a paycheck
Best summer of my life was working as a hippie in the Rocky Mountains in college.
Now I'm a drone.
When I was a SA in 2006, all of the summers were allowed to use the firm's private jet for one weekend to go whatever they wanted to go. Best part was that the firm paid for the entire weekend.
So you're probably wondering what I did. I went to Amsterdam and banged hookers until my whole body hurt. And then put it on my amex, which the firm paid off.
The glory days are gone.
32 - dashboard isn't "cut my arm and wear eyeliner emo" they are "write songs about kissing girls in high school emo"
There's a difference!
-Chris Carraba
34 - i would bend over and take it in the ass, but a NYU professor told me its worse than putting a straw in my cock's peehole and sipping water through it.
first!
All of these events suck.
Comment removed by moderator.
34, well...was it?
41, well...was it?
I am a journalist with a semi-major business publication that is working on a piece about how the economic downturn has impacted some of the "extravagances" typically associated with large law firms (expensive summer associate dinners, golf events, dogwalking services, etc.). Would anyone on this board be willing to speak with me off the record about their experiences? Thanks.
Can someone please help a clueless SA? A group of associates at my firm invited me to a "Key Party" this weekend in the Hamptons. I think that it is a party with a Key West theme, but I don't know what type of dress is appropriate. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Will firms rely on school prestige or work product when making offers this summer?
47, PE is hosting a small get together tonight at the Athletic Club. He asked me to invite you. We'll see you at the 2nd floor bar at around 6:30. You will recognize PE from his avatar. I hope to be permitted to sit next to him. We are almost done with our document review for the day.
Cheers.
50: Many thanks. I assume that you mean the NYAC at 59th/7th?
Wait, are the first three choices serious?
A. I know of more than one firm that has done or is doing Broadway play in NYC with dinner at a nice-ish restaurant before (better than pizza). And tickets not first-come first-serve either.
B. MJ tribute band, really? Upcoming show at 9:30 club: STAIND.
C. Luxury box at Yankees > Mets (strip club doesn't count as a summer event)
The other ones actually sound cool but aren't in NYC so they can't be the best.
Basically I'm just saying I guess some summers had the sense not to nominate their events even though they were clearly better than these.
hummer/pissing is the best of these of course.
Can someone please post the most up-to-date information on Michael Jackson. I checked both CNN and MSNBC and it has been more than 3 hours without an up-date.
I would prefer to go skydiving. That would be fun.
Who wants to look at a bunch of fat people in their swimsuits.
I like the roller derby event. It's different.
Summer programs are a joke. Wait till you start actually working, you idiots. The fancy office won't cut it anymore.
@ 30 -- Only if there's a video
Cadwalader laid off 40+ lawyers this week and not a peep on ATL about it. Odd.
re: #3, why has someone starting posting with a pic of NJ judge Carol Higbee (the Vioxx judge)?
47/51: I was just kidding about the drinks. PE is a fraud perpetrated by a law student. No need to show.
I don't summer there, but I definitely vote for Jones Day SF office--they took their summers to a trapeze school. I would take that over expensive dinners and alcohol any day.
Sheppard Mullin LA.
Can we get a pic of the logo beer cuzies?. I thought it was spelled "cooze", but I think it is a good sign that firms are giving away pussy
My firm's events were WAY better than all of these!
Guys in my high school went from Citi Field to Titty Field all the time, it was no big deal, then Kash pulled out a lobster and it was a BIG DEAL?
Er, I mean the summer class at my firm gets to go to lunch 3 days a week with a less than $20 cap, that's good right?
LOL, Citi Field to Titty Field. Lat is hilarious.
That's nothing. One major firm has celebrated "summer hours" by giving several attorneys time off.
In fact, legend has it this firm let ~32/61 attorneys do what they want to on their time all in the confines of the Big Apple. Dave said it was okay.
66, if you offer a one year sabbatical at 1/3 pay, you don't have to call it a layoff.
Cadwalader's strip club outing wins!
Did the girl fall down the stairs on purpose to secure here offer??
No chance they no offer her--
Van Winkle had a pot luck dinner, and I do mean pot. Good pot. Asheville's finest home-grown sensi baby!
Those events all sound boring.
-A.T. Kirgis
David St Hubbins rocks. Then again, I'd expect no less from someone who was named after the patron saint of quality footwear.
Katten NYC Corporate layoffs coming in 5,4,3,2...............
We took our summers to Mickie Ds for free ketchup and napkins... beat that
No antrax please.....haha
Paul Weiss' events blow all these crappy events out of the water. Also, the lunches flow like rivers of milk and honey
I am a Northeastern Law Student at WilmerHale- should I be scared? I am cute however
Latham's best event was when they had all the summers stay home for a day so they know what it'll be like when they get fired as first years.
I don't have a problem with it, but the days of a summer program being a camp are over. People are working a lot, gunning out of fear and skipping events to meet deadlines. And I'm at a V10 that hasn't officially canned people yet so I imagine it's much worse at other firms.
"Wheee! A Mets Game!" I hope that one is only making it due to the strip club aspect.
F-ing the hot summer in my room's jacuzzi tub--twice--on the Napa trip last summer (and then working on the follow-on offering together) beats being laid off this summer and eating at my parents' 3x/week to save money.
Ah, forbidden "love"...the best kind.
i was at the MJ "tribute" band concert (the first one).
frankly, the band wasn't that impressive. what was less impressive was how few song lyrics the audience actually new. it was painfully obvious most were nerdy-ass lawyers.
Strip club would be a better option if it wasn't related to Cadwalader. No small wonder that several of the most insufferable students at my school ended up summering there.
You're all losers. Period. Some of us actually worked for our paycheck over the summers.
Maybe you should change the Cadwalader event to reflect what all the associates know: recruiting was there, so the firm did sponsor it.
the girl who fell down the stairs should be no offered for the sheer fact that she's a moron for getting that drunk and being unable to walk. what a lame girl.
86,
no pun intended with the use of "lame" , right?
76 - but then you have to work at paul weiss.
76 - What's Paul Weiss? Is it anything like Paul Hastings?
Wow, these are pretty lame. Gibson LA took summers to a pre-release screening of "Public Enemies" at Universal. PWNs all of these events.
Getting to use the billable time codes provide the sweetest events of all.
90: ooooOOOooh a movie?
that cost them like 10.50 per head and you go tto watch it a whole 3-10 days before everybody else?
sweetest event ever
gotta love the arrogance of ny bound law students. you guys know it all. have fun fighting for state atty jobs.
gotta love the arrogance of ny bound law students. you guys know it all. have fun fighting for state atty jobs.
89 - I hope not, since Paul Hastings is the biggest shithole there is.
On a lighter note, MY PAUL HASTINGS SCREENPLAY/EXPOSE HAS BEEN PICKED UP!!!
Previews of dialogue to come...
wow. thats it? some of our events beat those... i guess working at a midlaw firm with a near-garunteed spot, doing the law i enjoy, and looking at making about what biglaw folks will (after the salary cuts set in, of course) without having to be deferred doesnt look so bad now eh prestige junkies?
Congrats, 95. Keep us posted.
--Laid-off PHJW Ass. (1 of, oh, I don't know, maybe 300?)
88
Yea it must suck to work for a firm that hasn't laid anyone off or deferred anyone. Have fun starting in 2011.
Am I the only SA who thinks that work is fun?
Sidley can't win. They were upstaged by Lowenstein Sandler, who also took 35 lawyers and summer associates to Billy Elliot, 15 lawyers and summers to Jersey Boys (in case anyone had already seen Billy Elliot). This was immediately after the Tony Awards, and dinner was at Blue Fin, Churrascaria Plataforma, or Ruby Foos.
And Lowenstein Sandler's seats were all Orchestra, center within the first 10 rows.
I hear Linklaters did a summer event at an Arsenal game, private box.