The experience isn’t about learning through osmosis. Working side-by-side with us, we expect you to roll up your sleeves and test the limits of your abilities. Our approach is to let the summer associate function as an active member of a team – taking on real legal challenges integral to pending matters. Our goal is to allow you to experience the styles of many different lawyers and staff on thought-provoking assignments that offer you the opportunity to demonstrate your writing, analytical and debating skills.

Summer associate assignments may include:

• Conducting legal research
• Drafting memos, opinion letters, contracts and briefs
• Helping trial teams prepare and develop strategies
• Assisting attorneys in preparing for depositions and hearings
• Observing negotiations
• Preparing for and participating in client meetings

In most respects, the person is treated similarly to a starting attorney. There are relatively few planned entertainment functions, but lunches and social engagement occur as if the person was a new colleague.

The contributions you make during your time with the firm don’t go unnoticed. The hands-on assignments you undertake will have high-visibility and real significance. The expectation is that program participants return to their third year of law school with an interest in joining James, McElroy & Diehl following graduation.

While James, McElroy & Diehl generally fills its entry level positions through the summer program, we do accept resumes from interested third-year law students. Generally, credentials, presentation and references must be unusually strong. The firm also has a history of hiring judicial clerks; many of our attorneys served as clerks in the federal courts and state appellate systems, and we strongly encourage and value such experience.

Although law school grades and academic accomplishments are important, we do not overweight them relative to a candidate’s other necessary qualities, including an ability to think broadly and solve problems “on their feet.” Our interviews are sometimes intellectually challenging. Because the firm is known throughout the region for the character and talent of our attorneys, we hire only the most qualified candidates.

For more information on our summer associates program, please contact Jonathan Feit.

In your first years at James, McElroy & Diehl, our goal is to deliver challenging opportunities and mentoring options that will enable you to become a successful lawyer.

• The work ranges from giving daily advice to clients, attending court proceedings and depositions, to handling legal issues of significant size and sophistication. The quality of your work defines your involvement.
• New attorneys are given every opportunity to showcase their academic skills, practical thinking and raw talent.
• You will deal directly with clients and other parties at an earlier stage than your counterparts at larger firms.
• Our senior-level partners are here every day practicing law and mentoring associates – offering you insights that come from decades of their collective experience.
• All attorneys are encouraged to handle matters that interest them; no two lawyer’s experiences at James, McElroy & Diehl are the same.
• The atmosphere is relaxed, collegial, relatively fun and not internally competitive.
• New attorneys start off at a compensation rate which is competitive for firms of comparable size.
• Compensation is tied to performance and tends to increase much faster than at other firms, regardless of size.
• Attorneys are considered for partnership within five years; most who remain with the firm for five years become partners.
• There are no partnership “slots” for which associates compete; each person is considered on an individual basis.

While James, McElroy & Diehl generally fills its entry level positions through our summer associates program, we do accept resumes from interested third-year law students. Because the firm is known throughout the region for the character and talent of our attorneys, we only hire the most qualified candidates.

If you would like to know more about career opportunities at James, McElroy & Diehl, please contact Pender McElroy.