About two weeks before beginning our summer program, each Summer Associate was assigned an attorney mentor. I was very fortunate to be paired up with Wendy Polit, a fourth year associate in Bilzin Sumberg’s Litigation department. Not only is Wendy an incredibly talented attorney, but because she worked at Bilzin Sumberg prior to enrolling in law school, she is also especially familiar with the ins and outs of the firm and its attorneys.

Although I was a bit nervous when first meeting Wendy, her easy-going attitude quickly set me at ease. Over drinks at Rosa Mexicano, a local Brickell restaurant, we discussed my expectations and goals for the summer, as well as what the firm expects of me.

She was very direct about the summer being hard work: I would be working on complex issues for high-profile clients across all departments within the firm. But the summer, of course, wouldn’t be all work, and she assured me that my summer would be a fun and growing experience.

Bilzin Sumberg organizes numerous social events so that Summer Associates can meet many of the attorneys and better integrate themselves into the firm’s culture. In just the first week, we have had a couple of lunches and happy hours where we had the chance to mingle with associates and partners to learn about them and their practice areas. Wendy also stressed the importance of working on projects from all departments, not only to get a better feel as to what I am interested in most, but also to meet and build rapport with the attorneys.

Although I have only been working at Bilzin Sumberg for a week, the firm already feels like home. All the attorneys I have met so far, including Wendy, have been incredibly kind and accommodating. I am very excited for what’s to come in the next couple of weeks!