SAN FRANCISCO — Gone are the days of cruises and caviar. These days, law firms’ summer associate programs are more like boot camp for lawyers-in-waiting.
At least that’s what’s in store for law students arriving at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, where the summer kicks off with an exercise that chief talent officer Robert Williams calls “basic training.” For two weeks, the firm’s summer associates face off in teams of two to try a case from start to finish, from gathering evidence to preparing closing statements. The activity culminates with a trial before a jury of six Sheppard Mullin employees and a real-life judge.
