My computer chimed shortly after two o’clock. It was an email notification from Jessica announcing that it was time to schedule our end-of-summer reviews. During our mid-summer and end-of-summer reviews, Jessica and Jay meet with summer associates to review our work product and discuss feedback that we’ve received from supervising attorneys. To elaborate, after each assignment, the supervising attorney completes an evaluation form that assesses the summer associate’s written and oral communication, analytical skills, initiative, and motivation among other factors. Luckily, our mentors join the reviews to advocate for us, pinpoint areas of improvement, and highlight our progress.
With talk of the end-of-summer reviews and the farewell social at Top Golf, I reflect on the past six weeks of the program. I remember learning the ropes during orientation and fumbling through the process of saving a document. I think back to some of the tag along opportunities where I listened to Scott Wagner advise a client and Ben Mitchel hash out details with opposing counsel. I am reminded of the virtual coffee breaks on Zoom where the discussions ranged from vacation plans to professional experiences at Bilzin Sumberg. And most recently, I recall the Closing of the real estate mock transaction.
The days leading up to the Closing, seller’s attorneys prepared the conveyance documents while the buyer’s attorneys prepared the closing statement. Selling Sunset LLC and This Isn’t Us LLC were ready to seal the deal. During our final meeting, Timothy DeKeyser and Phillip Sosnow provided valuable feedback and noted that attorney’s fees were nonexistent according to the closing statement. At the end of the meeting, we were delighted to receive our congratulatory message from Jessica and enjoyed the delicious chocolate covered strawberries from Shari’s Berries. Although we were banking on the attorney’s fees, the knowledge and experience gained from the seminars and negotiations still proved to be a sweet deal.