Our 2023 Summer Associate Program brought 14 law students from eight law schools 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.
Carrie Williams, a student at the Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, joined Shutts in the Orlando office as a participant of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)’s 1L Scholar Program. Carrie is a member of the Intellectual Property Society and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.
Carrie shares her thoughts on her summer experience at Shutts.
What advice would you give to someone looking for a summer associate position on how to be successful?
Even though you may know what practice area you're interested in, I would say to be open to taking on assignments from various practice groups. This allows you to gain exposure to different assignments and expand your interests.
What were the three most memorable experiences throughout your time here?
First, typing up a memorandum for a partner, and then the partner informing me that my memo was helpful and that she had sent it to the client. Another memorable experience was presenting an overview of a Supreme Court opinion to the firm's intellectual property group members during the IP luncheon. Finally, attending the Summer Associate Retreat in Miami and meeting the other summer associates.
What is something that you learned or a new skill that you gained during the summer program?
After working with the real estate group, I learned about surveying land and the process for drafting detailed easement agreements for recording.
What were your expectations for the summer, and have they been met (or exceeded)?
My expectations for the summer were to gain exposure to various practice groups, and my expectations were exceeded. Not only did I learn about what type of matters different practice groups worked on, but I had the opportunity to work on substantive assignments for practice groups like construction litigation, employment, and real estate.