Summer Associates
Participating in our summer program is like being a new lawyer at h3gm; it provides real experience of the practice of law at our firm. Summer associates are included in negotiation sessions, client conferences, transaction closings, depositions and trials. Throughout the summer we host a variety of social activities to get to know one another and provide a fun break from work. We only hire summer associates who we believe will become lawyers here and go on to become partners in our firm.
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Q & A
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How many summer associates do you hire each year?
We typically hire 3 to 5 summer associates but it varies from year to year with the firm's needs.
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Do you hire 1Ls?
Currently, our summer program is limited to 2Ls.
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What qualifications do you look for in summer associates?
We look for academic excellence at a highly ranked law school, relevant work experience and a breadth of personal experience. Evidence of a strong interest in Nashville is also desired.
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Do you allow split summers?
Yes, we encourage split summers. Our program lasts 6 weeks and typically is in the second half of the summer.
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What type of work will I do?
We give summer associates meaningful work in the area of business transactions or litigation that interests them. Summer associates often are deciding what area of law they enjoy, so we assign a variety of projects to foster a comprehensive understanding of the legal services offered by h3gm.
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Will I have a mentor?
Each summer associate is assigned a mentor who helps ensure they receive challenging assignments and provides necessary guidance but projects come directly from our attorneys. New associates at the firm are also assigned a mentor who provides advice and support and mentor relationships based on affinity develop naturally as well.
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Do you have narrow practice groups?
Our attorneys enjoy the opportunity to develop expertise in a variety of related areas rather than being pigeonholed into a narrow area of practice. This "cross-training" allows broader perspectives and fits well with our team approach for handling most matters.
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Do associates take on responsibility quickly?
Associates here take on real responsibility and deal with clients and opposing counsel as soon as they have the skills to do so. Our litigation associates go to court to handle their cases; our corporate associates close acquisitions.
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How do evaluations work?
Summer associates receive feedback on their work directly from the attorneys with whom they work, and also receive status and performance reviews from their mentors. Each associate receives a formal annual performance evaluation. More importantly, associates receive feedback in the context of ongoing projects.
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What social activities do you plan?
Summer events represent the eclectic interests of our attorneys. Recent summer events have included a trip to see the Chicago Cubs play baseball, a trip to a luxury resort in the Smoky Mountains, a cooking class and wine tasting, a casino night, and an astronomy night at one of our attorney's personal observatories.
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What is your dress code?
h3gm has a business casual dress code.
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What is the partnership track?
h3gm's partnership track is flexible and ranges from seven to nine years.
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What are billable hour expectations?
There are no minimum billable hour requirements for summer associates. New associates are expected to complete 1850 billable hours each year but actual hours vary with client demand and workload.
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What compensation and benefits are available?
We offer summer associates a weekly salary that, like our associate salaries, is competitive with or superior to that of other Nashville law firms.
Our associate starting salary is evaluated annually and associate salaries after the first year are based on performance and experience. In keeping with the entrepreneurial nature of the firm, associates are eligible for significant annual performance bonuses. Among our many associate benefits are profit-sharing and 401(k) plans, health insurance, disability insurance, and allowances for continuing legal education seminars and bar-related expenses.
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How do I find housing for the summer?
Summer associates are usually able to sublet apartments from Vanderbilt University law students.
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What is it like to live in Nashville?
With a population of just under 1.6 million, Nashville is headquarters to 9 Fortune 1000 companies and 40 publicly traded companies. In 2006, Kiplinger ranked Nashville the #1 Smart Place to live based on its "affordable homes, mild climate and phenomenal entertainment scene." For more information on living and working in Nashville, please visit the Nashville Chamber.
