Programs Designed for Summer Associates. While we believe that every summer associate project is a learning opportunity, we design certain programs specifically for summer associates, like legal writing, negotiation, trial skills and deal skills, among others.

Pro Bono – Learn by Doing. What does it mean to have your own client, be primarily responsible for a matter and represent the firm in the community? We want our associates to begin learning the answers to these questions right away—as summer associates. Pro bono work is a valuable tool in developing the client service skills that are crucial to success in today’s legal market.

Summer associates can work on firm pro bono projects throughout their tenure. But we also offer special pro bono opportunities for summer associates through our affiliations with the Lawyers Committee for Better Housing (representing low-income tenants in disputes in housing court), Pro Bono Advocates (obtaining emergency orders for victims of domestic abuse) and the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic (conducting client intake interviews and evaluations for civil and criminal cases).

Programs Designed for Katten Attorneys. We encourage—and expect that—our summer associates will participate in all of the attorney training programs presented by the firm and our various departments. Last year, Katten conducted over 130 programs—from “Private Equity Deal Structuring” to “Practical Advice Regarding the New E-Discovery Rules: Everything You Need to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (and Should Be!).”