Careers
Summer Associate Program
We are no longer accepting applications for summer 2012
The firm continues to hire a significant number of its new attorneys from the summer associate program.
Length of Program
Atlanta - 10 weeks
Kentucky & Indiana - 10 weeks
Nashville - 6 weeks
The summer program is coordinated by the Director of Professional Development & Recruitment, Recruiting Managers in each office, and associate program coordinators in each office. In addition, summer associates are supported by associate mentors and a member mentor in each office.
2009 Louisville Summer Associates
at the Habitat for Humanity Build
We strive each year to provide a well-rounded program for our summer associates; one that balances work assignments, observation and shadowing opportunities, and social interaction. Above all, we want to provide a realistic view of work at Stites & Harbison and an opportunity to get to know our attorneys. Because a legal career is demanding and time consuming, we believe that it is essential to work with people you respect and enjoy.
Summer Benefits & Compensation
Stites & Harbison pays competitive salaries in each of its market locations. The firm also pays for summer parking. Summer salary by location is listed below:
Atlanta - $1,800/week (2Ls and 1Ls)
Kentucky & Indiana - $1,500/week (2Ls) / $1,450/week (1Ls)
Nashville - $1,800/week (2Ls)
Summer Mentoring
Each summer, associates volunteer as mentors to the summer associates. They enjoy providing guidance about a variety of issues such as:
- Office operations
- Firm culture
- "Real life" as an associate
- Work product expectations
- Practice areas
- Who you should meet
Summer Work Assignments
Work requests and observation opportunities are submitted to the program coordinators and distributed during the weekly summer associate meeting. We do not use a formal rotation system.
Summer Feedback
The member mentor is instrumental in providing candid feedback on how the summer is going. For those participating in our 10-week program, mid-summer and end-of-summer evaluations are provided. The in-person review of the evaluation results is conducted by the member mentor and the associate program coordinators.
The mid-point review provides key information to improve any weak areas or enhance specific strengths. The firm places a high value on an individual's ability to receive and utilize constructive criticism effectively.
Summer Training
The firm provides a formal Orientation Program as well as learning opportunities throughout the summer. Click here to view the 2011 Orientation Agenda and a list of other summer learning opportunities.
Summer Fun
Here are a few of the social events hosted in various offices during the 2011 Summer Program:
- Afternoon at the Races - Churchill Downs
- Three Chimneys Horse Farm tour
- Local Softball Leagues
- Cincinnati Reds game
- Trivia Nights
- Habitat for Humanity
- Ronald McDonald House
- Associates-only party
The firm tries to instill these values in its summer associates by including them in a variety of community and pro bono activities and work, including Habitat for Humanity.
Summer Associate Incentive Program
The firm has developed an "early offer" process and financial incentives for summer associates meeting certain grade and performance standards during their 1L summer clerkship.