Arnall Golden Gregory LLP is proud to have a track record of successful summer associate programs. Our 2007 summer program was ranked as the 11th best program in the nation in this year’s annual survey conducted by The American Lawyer. In 2006, we received the #1 ranking in the nation for our summer program. We were also ranked #1 in the nation in 2001 and have been ranked #1 in Atlanta 7 times in the last 10 years. Click here to see the 2006 Summer Associate Survey in The American Lawyer and to read the feature story about AGG’s 2006 summer program.
Historically, we hire between 8-12 law students for our summer program. The small size of our class allows us to personalize each student’s summer experience. Summer associates enjoy a full calendar of social activities which allows them to get to know the firm and the city. From day one, they receive challenging work in areas of law that interest them. Participation and interaction among our attorneys, support staff and fellow summer associates promise a realistic, productive and gratifying experience. Spending a summer with AGG exposes summer associates to life in our law firm and ultimately helps decide the future of your career.
Dates of Summer Program
The 2008 summer program begins Monday, May 12th and ends on Friday, July 25th. We have hired 8 law students for our upcoming summer program. Summer associates are allowed to split their summers between AGG and other firms. However, we typically require the summer associate to spend the first 6 weeks of the summer at AGG.
Summer Associate Compensation
Our summer associate salaries are competitive with other major Atlanta firms. In the summer of 2007, 2L summer associates were paid $2100.00 per week, and 1L summer associates were paid $2000.00 per week. Compensation for summer associates is reviewed annually and may be adjusted prior to the start of the summer program.
Partner & Associate Summer Associate Sponsors
Summer associates are each assigned to a partner and associate sponsor. Sponsors are chosen based on the summer associate’s expressed areas of interest. The partner sponsor provides guidance on successful practice management and career development. The associate sponsor assists in the summer associate’s introduction and integration into the firm. Both sponsors are available to discuss work assignments and to address questions regarding any facet of our summer program and firm. Our hope is for our summer associates to always feel comfortable seeking out their sponsors for any reason.
Summer Associate Work Assignments When an attorney wishes to assign a project to a summer associate, the attorney is required to complete a work assignment request form. The completed form is then submitted to the work assignment coordinator who will assign projects to each summer associate according to his or her interests and current workload. In assigning work, every effort will be made to provide projects from a variety of practice areas within the firm. We want to expose summer associates to different practice groups and provide them the opportunity to work with as many AGG partners and associates as possible.
Our evaluation process ensures that summer associates receive confidential and constructive feedback on their work. Formal evaluations occur twice during the summer. Each time a project is completed, an evaluation form is submitted by the assigning attorney. Approximately halfway through the program and again close to the end of the summer, our hiring partner sets a time with each summer associate to discuss evaluations and attorney feedback. Summer Program Activities A golf outing, weekend retreat, Braves games, concerts… our summer program includes something for everyone! We provide a calendar full of social and community activities. The events offer an excellent opportunity for summer associates to get to know people at the firm and the city of Atlanta. In recent years, AGG’s summer program calendar included trips to well-known Atlanta landmarks such as the CNN Center, Martin Luther King Center, The New World of Coca-Cola, Turner Field, and The Georgia Aquarium. Popular group outings have included group dinners at several unique restaurants and a creation of our own at a cooking class. One of our favorite events each summer is the Summer Associate Retreat. Highly anticipated each year by summer associates and attorneys, the retreat is a casual weekend, and an opportunity for summer associates and attorneys to spend quality time together away from the office. Past retreat destinations have included Rosemary Beach, FL, Highlands, NC and Daufuskie Island, SC.
Here’s what a few past summer associates have to say about their AGG experience:
“I found AGG to be the ideal firm to work for this summer because of the balance between life inside and outside the office. On the inside, the attorneys at AGG seek to consistently produce quality work, and are always available to provide guidance when it’s needed to attain the best result possible. On the outside, everyone at AGG knows how to put their work down, and have a good time in each other’s company. This combination made me look forward to coming to work every day.”
- Danny Mills, Georgetown University Law Center, Class of 2008
“It is easy to see why AGG’s summer associate program consistently earns high marks. The program strikes an impressive balance of entertaining activities, stimulating legal projects, and pro bono opportunities. I was especially impressed by the quality of the projects. You have the opportunity to work on a variety of complex and challenging issues for clients across different practice groups, and the attorneys are always available to provide guidance and feedback on your performance. The attorneys at AGG are very supportive of the summer program, from first-year associates to senior partners, and they go out of their way to candidly answer questions about your projects and firm life in general. The work environment is pleasant and friendly, leaving you with the impression that people genuinely enjoy working at AGG.”
- Joe Ivey, Georgia State University, Class of 2008
“When I began the interviewing process in my 2L year, people told me to follow my instincts. When I found the right firm, I would just know. I was somewhat skeptical of their advice until I walked into AGG. I knew immediately that this was the kind of firm where I wanted to be, and every moment that I spend with my coworkers, both inside and outside of the office, confirms it. AGG's atmosphere is unique; unlike some firms, people actually LIKE working here. The cooperation, camaraderie and respect shared between AGG employees never ceases to amaze me, and I am thrilled to be a member of the AGG family.”
- Sarah Wigfall, University of Virginia, Class of 2007
“I had heard great things about AGG, and was quite excited when I was offered a clerkship. The summer lived up to my expectations - and I am not referring to the trip to the mountains, the whitewater rafting, fancy dinners, or other such activities that are quite common at prestigious firms these days. I am referring to the genuinely down-to-earth and bright people that make up this firm and set it apart. Despite having a choice to go elsewhere, I chose to spend my summer at AGG because I had heard that the firm's work environment was what kept people there. A year later, I joined the firm as an associate. I hope to stay for a long, long time.”
- Anuj Desai, University of Georgia Law School, Class of 2007
"My experience as a summer associate exceeded my expectations. The program strikes a great balance in providing both significant work opportunities and a chance to interact in an informal setting with the firm's attorneys. At AGG, there is no hint of a tiered caste system that divides partners, associates, and summer associates. The summer afforded me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships at all levels within the firm, both professionally and personally."
- Terrell Gilbert, Georgia State University, Class of 2007
“My summer experience at AGG wasn’t just about learning about the firm – it was about building relationships with its members. Unlike other summer programs, I was given the opportunity to work in each practice group and to tailor my work experience over the summer as my interests also changed and grew. Through the variety of work experiences and unique social activities, I was able to meet and work with partners and associates from across the board. Today, I have continued to maintain those relationships and despite being assigned to a particular practice area, no one in the firm is a stranger to me. My experience as a summer associate contributed to creating an ideal work environment.”
- Neera Makwana, Georgia State University, Class of 2006
AGG’s 2008 Summer Associate Class includes 9 students from 6 different law schools:
If you’d like more information on our summer associate program, please contact recruiting@agg.com.
AGG Recruitment: Who’s who?
Rick Mitchell, Hiring Partner Bliss Stone, Director of Attorney Recruitment Marisa Reeves, Recruitment Coordinator
