Our 2026 Summer Associate Program brought 8 law students to the firm for an intellectually challenging and professionally gratifying experience. The students took part in firm-sponsored social events and community service projects throughout the summer in addition to attending client meetings, depositions, court hearings and other proceedings. Nearing the end of the program, the students agreed to share a few highlights from their summer at Shutts.
Lauren Shontz joined Shutts’ Orlando office for the summer from Mercer University School of Law. She was a semifinalist in the 2026 Lawson Moot Court Competition and is a member of the Business, Bankruptcy, and Tax Law Society.
Why did you choose to spend your 2026 Summer with Shutts?
I chose to spend my 2026 Summer with Shutts & Bowen for two main reasons. First, although I am currently attending law school in Georgia, Shutts’ strong presence as a Florida-based firm provided a great opportunity to return to my home state for the summer. I plan to become licensed and practice law in Florida, so I was excited to gain experience working within Florida’s legal community. Second, Shutts & Bowen stood out to me because the Summer Associate Program provides exposure to a variety of practice areas rather than limiting Summer Associates to a single practice area. This gave me the opportunity to work with attorneys across the firm, expand my professional network, and develop a broader range of legal skills.
What is something new that you learned during the summer program?
During the summer program, I was able to strengthen my legal research skills by learning more effective ways to utilize Westlaw. Shutts’ Director of Knowledge Management provided invaluable guidance on using Westlaw’s advanced research tools, allowing me to conduct more targeted research and work more efficiently.
If you could go back to the first day of the summer program and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?
If I could go back to the first day of the summer program and give myself a piece of advice, it would be to be intentional about connecting with attorneys across the firm’s different practice areas, including areas you may not have initially been interested in. Shutts has so many attorneys who are eager to share their experiences, teach about their practice areas, and serve as mentors, and taking advantage of those opportunities is one of the most awarding aspects of the summer program.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen LLP, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 280 lawyers in offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.