SAN FRANCISCO — Many law firms are paying young lawyers to stay away. But one associate at a small San Francisco litigation shop has had to work to take this summer off.

Myles Solomon, a fifth-year at Bassi Edlin Huie & Blum, won’t be relaxing on a beach. He’s going to Africa to volunteer through a charity organization, a dream that meant leaving his increasingly busy firm and the growing sports agency he has created.