Our 2025 Summer Associate Program brought 11 law students from nine 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.
Christian Stanfield joined Shutts’ Orlando office for the summer from the University of Miami School of Law. Christian is a member of the University of Miami Business Law Review.
Christian shares his thoughts on his summer experience at Shutts.
What is something new that you learned during the summer program?
I already started my summer with some idea, but my 10 weeks at Shutts really helped me understand the difference between law school and practicing law. It was very apparent that all the attorneys at Shutts were extremely professional and diligent about communicating with their clients, but also other attorneys.
Also, getting experience in multiple practice areas helped me narrow down my interests and get a sense of what type of work I’m most comfortable doing.
If you could go back to the first day of the summer program and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to approach people and introduce yourself. Naturally, everyone has their own work to do and is busy in their own right, so this may feel like an intimidating act. But my experience was that attorneys were more than happy to take a few minutes to have a conversation and offer advice, whether it was work-related or not.
What do you have planned for the rest of the summer?
Lots of golf, tennis, and relaxing for two weeks before school starts back up again.