Porter Scott’s summer program is the main source from which we recruit new associates. When recruiting prospective summer associates Porter Scott looks for second year law students who have demonstrated academic excellence, have an interest in litigation and a desire to live in the greater Sacramento area. Our program is approximately 10 to 12 weeks in length. Involvement in law review, moot court, trial teams or other law school activities that relate to litigation and/or writing are all considered in the selection process. Summer associates do not compete with one another for a limited number of offers – we are always prepared to make as many offers as there are summer associates. However, the extension of an offer is always contingent upon review of work product as well as the summer associate’s overall fit within the firm. We also hire one first-year law student from the Summer Fellowship Program of the Sacramento County Bar Association’s Diversity Hiring & Retention Program.

The goal of Porter Scott’s summer program is to evaluate summer associates' potential to become successful attorneys within the firm upon graduation, while at the same time providing them with an educational work experience. Our mission is to not only utilize summer associates on interesting projects, but also to immerse them in life at Porter Scott. Summer associates will assist in drafting documents, pleadings, discovery requests and client letters, as well as writing legal articles. In addition, summer associates occasionally attend trials, hearings, depositions, arbitrations, mediations, negotiations, seminars, luncheons, civic/charitable events, site visits, client meetings and other appearances as they relate to the matters in which they are involved.

Work Assignments and Feedback

Summer associates receive their assignments from all areas of the firm throughout the summer. Those who have interest in a specific area of law are encouraged to seek work from partners and associates in those practice areas. Each summer associate keeps a running log of projects completed and pending so that the hiring partner can keep apprised of the workload and deadlines for each person. Throughout the summer, all partners are invited to evaluate the summer associates on their comprehension of problems, legal analysis, legal research, writing clarity, oral expression, efficiency, initiative and their relationship with lawyers and staff. At the end of each summer, associates meet with the firm’s hiring partner to discuss their work product, performance during the summer and prospects for future employment.

Social Activities

At Porter Scott we advocate a well-rounded quality of life. Social activities such as firm lunches, office softball games, and the firm's annual associate party provide summer associates opportunities to get to know each other as well as the attorneys and staff at Porter Scott. Summer associates are also invited to all firm events and weekly attorney meetings.

Compensation, Benefits and Billable Hours

Summer associates are not eligible for benefits or paid vacation. Requests for time off during the summer are handled on a case-by-case basis by the hiring partner. Summer associates are taught how to bill hours and are asked to keep track of their billable hours while at the firm. However, there is no billable hour requirement during the summer. It is used primarily as an educational tool to learn how to keep track of billable time, a skill which will assist in their early development as an attorney.

How to Apply

Porter Scott welcomes resumes from qualified candidates and is an equal opportunity employer. If you are interested in joining our team, please apply no later than October 15th for consideration into the following year's program. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to:

BY MAIL:
Porter Scott
Attn: Susan Lewin, Recruiting Coordinator
350 University Ave., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95825

BY FAX:
If sending a fax please put it to the attention of Susan Lewin, Recruiting Coordinator
Fax Number: 916.927.3706