#SummerSeries2024: Picking a Practice Group

Today’s advice will ruffle feathers, as it ALWAYS does, but it is a rebut on one of the things I heard the most as a summer associate and politely thought “Are y’all serious serious?” As a summer associate, you are bombarded with so much new information, from processes and logistics to substantive knowledge. Depending on your firm, you either have (i) central assignment system where you can be assigned on litigation, M&A, regulatory and tax matters simultaneously (if that's what you want), (ii) a rotation system where your firm assigns you to a niche practice group like IP Transactions or larger section like Corporate for example that encompasses all of transactional practice groups, (iii) some combination of both for the entire summer or if you're lucky (iv) two cities, like NY and Dallas OR NY and London. At the firm that I summered, any and all of these were viable options.

Summer associates tend to hear “pick your practice based on the people because you want to make sure you’re compatible with the people and the work will just flow” a lot. The argument is that you’ll be spending most of the time with these folks you choose so you want to like them. ??

This sounds really great in theory but I have often rejected the notion that you pick a practice group based on who is in it not what kind of work you're going to be doing. I think choosing something you're going to be spending a massive chunk of your year and ultimately life doing based on people who may or may not still work in the group, let alone the firm when you return as a first year associate. I say, pick a practice that gives you work that keeps you hungry to learn and grow and develop (i.e. you won’t stop til you get enough). People come and go and this is an important decision you are making that will impact your career forever. You can love the people you’re working with but if the work you’re doing feels mind numbing you’re going to hate showing up everyday and lose your love for that wonderful group of people quick and in a hurry. ??

Here are four factors to consider when choosing a practice group:

? MAX OUT: try as many practice groups as you can but it’s only 10 weeks so be reasonable. When I summered, they had 14 categories and I had at least one assignment in each category. Ask for more until they (or you) cut you off. I remember I was the only person who received work in the restructuring team that year and the practice head and I talked a lot about how a shift in the market would come because of the cyclical nature of economics and before we knew it acquisition financings would become restructuring financings and liability risk management financings. I also worked on a Sukuk, which is a sharia-compliant bond instrument and looked at the related tax consequence. I worked on a bridge building project finance deal and did such an awesome job on a diligence project I got to talk to a client about the synergies between the acquired company and their other businesses AND so much more. It was a lot of work, but I wanted as much first hand experience I could attain before I made my decision. And then I decided I was going to be a Private Equity and General Securities attorney ????

? Think broader: if you want corporate but have no idea choose a practice that guarantees wider exposure to others. The more popular generalist groups are Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions and General Corporate, but don’t sleep on?#Banking?or Capital Markets, these two groups are also great opportunities to work on several types of deals and restructurings the truth and yes I am super biased ????. I ended up becoming a capital markets and banking attorney when I returned as a first year associate and what attracted me to banking in particular was the incessant amount of work we always seemed to have. I knew being in a group that was busy would help me build my knowledge and develop expertise early and often so I opted into the banking team. I share this last part to let you know, sometimes things change.

? Narrow it down: once you’ve tried as much as you can, start hacking away. I think it’s good to evaluate the different teams you’ve been working with based on the people at this stage. Which practice group has the most people willing to explain the task at hand, the broader picture, and the random questions you feel silly about having while still making you feel equipped to excel (more on this later). Which practice groups seem so hammered the person you are working with keeps you waiting to get your first assignment to you and you've been following up for 3 weeks. Which practice group has people that are happy and bubbly when there's an audience, but turn into something else when they don't have to answer to someone else. You will know them when you find them; act accordingly. ????

?Change your mind: listen if you pick your practice group don’t feel locked in forever. It’s OK to change your mind later that summer, in the fall after the summer, a month before you join - whatever - 99% of the time your firm can accommodate your request no matter when it comes. As you saw above, I changed my mind because I realized the work and the work flow was what I needed for my personal development. Whatever the reason, it's OK to change your mind and most firms are willing to work with you...just find out how late is too late to change your mind and save the date.

In the end, choosing your practice is very personal and everyone's choice or rationale for their choice is subordinate to your reasons, expectations and outcomes!

#privateequity?#mergersandacquisitions?#capitalmarkets?#biglaw?#summerprogram