One of the most meaningful aspects of the summer associate experience at Bilzin Sumberg has been the firm’s emphasis on mentorship. From the very first day of orientation, each summer associate was thoughtfully paired with a mentor aligned with their practice area of interest. Since then, regular lunches, coffee chats, and impromptu hallway conversations have opened the door to candid advice and meaningful feedback.
Whether it’s asking for guidance on an assignment or bouncing outfit ideas for the next firm event, our mentors have been invaluable in helping us get acclimated during the first few weeks of the program. My mentor, Kayla Hernandez, an associate in the firm’s litigation group, has been an incredible source of support. From tackling assignments to offering insight on scheduling lunches, Kayla has been my go-to for navigating the day-to-day at the firm.
Navigating the Social Sphere
After speaking with several of the mentors, one piece of advice was universal: interact with as many people as you can.
“Meet as many people as possible,” said Hannah Lidicker, an associate in the firm’s real estate group. When selecting your practice group, she advised, “Think about finding people you get along with, can ask questions to, and feel like will be good mentors to you in the future.”
John Trach, an associate in the firm’s corporate group echoed a similar sentiment: “Walk around and introduce yourself to everyone—the staff and attorneys.”
Kayla emphasized the importance of branching out beyond your practice area of interest: “Use the lunches and events to get to know people outside of the practice group you are interested in—it becomes a lot harder to do so once you start working.”
Approaching Assignments: Learning Through the Process
Our mentors not only help us navigate the social landscape but also provide valuable guidance on approaching assignments and making the most of the learning experience.
“Be over communicative and ask lots of questions,” said Kayla. She indicated the importance of making sure “you are doing the assignment that is being asked of you.”
Hannah also stressed the importance of doing good work but reminded us that, while we are being assessed to determine if we will be a good member of a deal or case team, we should also look for people we want on our own team in the future.
John highlighted the value of a hands-on learning approach, suggesting sitting in on calls or shadowing a partner or senior associate to observe their client interactions, time management, and problem-solving strategies. “Be curious about the matters you are working on,” said John. “We have amazing relationships with our clients that have often existed for decades. Learning about and appreciating that history is an interesting and important part of understanding the current client relationship.”
Foundations for What’s Ahead
As the summer begins, it’s clear that mentorship is not just a feature of the program, it’s a foundation. These first two weeks have shown us that we’re not navigating the summer alone. With mentors who are generous with their time, honest in their advice, and invested in our success, we’re entering the rest of the program with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a network we can rely on.
