Law Students

 

Challenging Projects

Erin Maxwell (University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School) 2024/2025 Summer Associate, Philadelphia

"This past summer, I was able to directly support a partner with the signing and closing of a deal. I found that I could say "yes," and "I can do that" to even more complicated tasks because of the deep network of support in the Philadelphia office. From Adobe tips to example documents, I always had someone eager to help me succeed. Working on a live deal was both exhilarating and challenging, and the real-world experience gave me a glimpse of what my actual career would look like once I entered corporate law. I learned so much about the culture of Faegre Drinker from the way partners and associates interacted with one another, encouraging excellence while celebrating strengths and maintaining vibrant personal lives. I cannot wait for my second summer to begin!"

 

Inclusive Environment

Faith Hudson (University of Illinois Chicago Law School) 2024/2025 Summer Associate, Chicago

"As a Black-woman, first-generation law student, I was not sure what to expect working for a Big Law firm following my first year of law school. I worried that I might feel out of place, but I was pleasantly surprised when I felt the opposite at Faegre Drinker. The firm’s diversity efforts genuinely foster a welcoming and inclusive community. During my summer internship, I was able to connect with attorneys that look like me, that come from similar backgrounds, and that could relate to my unique experiences. Because of these connections, I always felt like I had a safe space to get the support, encouragement, and guidance that I needed to be a successful summer associate. Faegre Drinker’s diversity is one of the main reasons that I chose to return as a 2L summer associate. It means a lot to be a part of a firm that truly prioritizes diversity and holds itself accountable to build a culture that welcomes, respects, and invests in people from all walks of life."

 

Social Events

Caitlin Kwalwasser (William & Mary School of Law) 2024 Summer Associate, 2025 First-Year Associate, Washington, D.C.

"One of my favorite aspects of the summer program was the variety of social events and networking opportunities with other attorneys at the firm. As a museum lover, my favorite event was the afternoon at the Museum for Women in the Arts. It was a lovely opportunity to meet attorneys from across practice groups in a more casual setting, and it was also a special opportunity to explore more of the city I will be working and living in after graduation. As someone new to the firm, these events also gave me the opportunity to practice soft skills and connect with folks who have been at the firm longer, and develop closer relationships with them. I also loved being able to check off happy hour at the Library of Congress from my bucket list! Overall, the thought and effort that went into curating each event went above and beyond what I expected."

 

Supportive Culture

Tyler White (Duke University School of Law) 2023/2024 Summer Associate, 2025 First-Year Associate, Indianapolis/Washington, D.C.

"I had a wonderful experience as a summer associate at Faegre Drinker! I had the opportunity to meet and work with many attorneys in various practice groups. I also had the opportunity to complete substantive assignments and utilize the numerous resources available to Faegre Drinker attorneys in order to ensure the production of high-quality work for clients. During the summer I received endless support from the wonderful recruitment team, who guided me through practice group discernment as well as navigating the day-to-day of an attorney as a first-generation law student. I am thankful to have worked at such an amazing firm and I am excited to return as an associate after graduating from law school!"

 

Summer Summit

Ashton Johnson (University of Michigan Law School) 2024/2025 Summer Associate, Minneapolis

"The summer associate summit was a highlight of my summer experience. It was a great opportunity to network with current attorneys and fellow summers at all the offices across the country. I was able to make many meaningful connections with people I am still in touch with. In addition, the summit was informative and fun with many insightful speakers and exciting activities with karaoke as the big highlight! It was valuable to experience the firm's culture firsthand and see the strong sense of collegiality and community in action."

 

Mentorship

Kate Kachmer (New York University School of Law) 2023/2024 Summer Associate, 2025 First-Year Associate, Denver

"The Faegre Drinker model is one that values mentorship highly. By assigning attorneys of various levels as hosts, advisors and work coordinators to provide support, answer questions and advocate for summer associates throughout the summer, Faegre Drinker ensures that no summer associate is left without a formal mentor. In addition to formal mentorship, attorneys and summer program coordinators across the firm at Faegre Drinker are eager to provide support and mentorship to summer associates at any opportunity. During both of my summers with Faegre Drinker, I never found myself without guidance and mentorship from several people who are dedicated to opening their doors to summer associates for questions, advice, reviewing and editing assignments, and all other needs that come up during the summer and beyond."

 

Professional Development

Julia Sun (University of Illinois College of Law) 2024/2025 Summer Associate, Chicago

"During my summer at Faegre Drinker, the professional development training I received was exceptional and tailored well to my interests. The program offered specialized training on research and technical writing, which was directly applicable to both litigation and transactional practices, allowing me to deepen my skills in areas I am passionate about. Faegre Drinker’s commitment to mentorship was another highlight, as I was paired with mentors who took the time to understand my career goals and provided invaluable guidance aligned with my specific interests. One of the most impactful aspects of my experience was the exposure to a wide range of practice groups. From regulatory affairs to intellectual property, I had the opportunity to work across various fields. This broad exposure, coupled with Faegre Drinker’s supportive and engaging environment, equipped me with skills and insights that I will carry forward in my legal career."

 

Mentorship

David Jiang (Stanford Law School) 2023/2024 Summer Associate, 2025 First-Year Associate, Minneapolis

"Faegre Drinker makes a strong effort to match summer associates with mentors from their preferred practice group. On my first day at the firm, my advisor reached out to schedule a lunch, during which he was very open about what it's like to work at the firm and in our practice group. Throughout the conversation, we connected well, and it made me feel comfortable both at the firm and within the practice group. I felt I could walk into his office at any time to ask a question, however trivial, and receive an answer.

Of course, mentorship at Faegre Drinker isn't limited to official channels. Almost everyone I've worked with or spoken to was eager to sit down over lunch or coffee and openly discuss any questions I had. Whether it was a senior partner who has been at the firm for 30 years or an associate who has only been there for six months, they always made time to ensure I had a great summer experience."