Outward Bound Professionals Program at Piedmont Park Summer 2008
Size of Summer Program Historically, we hire between 8-10 law students for our summer program. The small size of our class allows us to personalize each student’s summer experience. Summer associates enjoy a full calendar of social activities which allows them to get to know the firm and the city. From the first day, summer associates receive challenging work in areas of law that interest them. Participation and interaction among our attorneys, support staff and fellow summer associates provide a realistic, productive and gratifying experience. Spending a summer with AGG exposes summer associates to life in our law firm and ultimately guides the future of their careers. AGG’s 2009 Summer Associate Class will include 10 students from five different law schools:
Summer Program Dates The 2009 summer program begins Monday, June 1st and ends Friday, July 24th. Summer associates are allowed to split their summers between AGG and other firms. However, we typically require the summer associate to spend the first 6 weeks of the summer at AGG.
Summer Associate Compensation Our summer associate salaries are competitive with other Atlanta firms. In the summer of 2008, 2L summer associates were paid $2100 per week, and 1L summer associates were paid $2000 per week. Compensation for summer associates is reviewed annually and may be adjusted prior to the start of the summer program. Summer Associate Sponsors
Golf Outing at The Frog Summer 2008
Summer associates are assigned to a partner and associate sponsor. Assignments are based on the summer associate’s expressed areas of interest. Sponsors provide guidance on successful practice and work-load management and methods for client and career development. In addition to providing career advice, sponsors assist with the summer associate’s introduction and integration into the firm. Both sponsors are available to discuss work assignments and to address questions regarding any facet of our summer program and firm. Our summer associates always feel comfortable seeking out their sponsors for any reason.
Summer Associate Work Assignments & Evaluations Attorneys wishing to assign work to a summer associate are required to complete and submit a work assignment request form. Projects are then assigned by the work assignment coordinator, who is ultimately responsible for managing summer associate work flow throughout the program. A summer associate’s particular areas of interest and current work load are taken into consideration when assigning projects. Through our work assignment process, we intend to provide summer associates with a variety of projects and the opportunity to work with as many AGG partners and associates as possible throughout the summer program.
While attorneys are available to answer questions and provide feedback throughout the course of a work assignment, our evaluation process ensures summer associates receive confidential and constructive reviews of their work. For each completed project, the assigning attorney is required to submit a formal work assignment evaluation form. Approximately halfway through the program and again toward to the end of the summer, our hiring partner schedules a time with each summer associate to review attorney feedback and discuss evaluations. Summer Program Activities The summer program is an exciting time for attorneys and summer associates. We provide a calendar full of social and community activities. The events and group activities provide an excellent opportunity for summer associates to get to know members of the firm and the city of Atlanta.
Partner’s Dinner at The Hirsch’s Summer 2008
In recent years, AGG’s summer program calendar included trips to well-known Atlanta landmarks such as the Georgia Capitol, the Carter Center, the CNN Center, the Martin Luther King Center, the New World of Coca-Cola, Turner Field, and the Georgia Aquarium. Popular group outings have included lunches and dinners at several unique restaurants, dinner parties at partners’ homes, rafting excursions, bowling tournaments and movie outings. In addition, small group outings have included concerts at Chastain and Braves games at Turner Field. Last year, for the first time, AGG’s summer associates participated in an Outward Bound Professionals day program at Piedmont Park.
Retreat at Lake Oconee Summer 2008
The summer associates enjoyed the experience and benefited from the team building exercise. Lastly, the firm has hosted weekend retreats in places such as Highlands, NC, Rosemary Beach, FL and Lake Oconee, GA.
Here’s what a few past summer associates have to say about their AGG experience: “I had a wonderful experience as an AGG Summer Associate. Every aspect of the summer program was exactly what I hoped it would be. The work assignments were challenging and aligned with my interests. The attorneys that supervised me offered meaningful feedback and provided excellent mentorship. Most importantly, I made friends, had fun, and developed a real sense of belonging with the AGG family. AGG is truly a special place that is committed to seeing associates succeed. I can’t wait to join the firm full time.” - Diana Rusk – Yale University – Class of 2009 “I had a great summer at AGG. The summer program presented the right balance of both work and play. I was given work assignments that gave me an idea of what I would be doing as an associate. The program was structured in a way that allowed me to choose interesting work assignments in the areas of law I liked most. The attorneys at AGG were always friendly and many were able to attend the social events held throughout the summer. I was given the opportunity to really get to know the partners as well as the associates at AGG. Overall it was a great place to spend the summer.”
- Zach Wilson – Emory University – Class of 2009
“I thoroughly enjoyed my summers at AGG. I was struck by how successful the firm's attorneys were at balancing work and outside interests. I think this balance helps the attorneys produce truly outstanding work, and it was key to why I wanted to be a part of AGG." - Ashley Guffey – Emory University – Class of 2009 "Simply put, AGG makes practicing law a more rewarding endeavor than it is elsewhere. The high level of retention and fact that so many associates would work nowhere else signifies that this hallmark is substantive rather than superficial. As a result, an uncommon enthusiasm manifests itself at all levels of the firm and is very obviously self-reinforcing, which I believe can only enhance the overall vitality of AGG's legal work product and the long-term prosperity of the firm." - Harry Camp – University of Virginia – Class of 2009 “All things considered, my summer experience at AGG was truly invaluable. Each day spent at AGG over the summer was filled with challenging legal work in a wide array of practice areas, frequent interactions with extraordinarily friendly and supportive attorneys and staff, and several opportunities to engage in fulfilling and meaningful activities both within and outside of the firm. The feeling I received from AGG was very akin to that of a family, in that everyone was genuinely invested in my success and growth as an aspiring attorney. In sum, AGG’s summer program is much more than a tool for recruitment. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and build long-lasting professional relationships. That experience, to me, is priceless.”
- Tony Jones – University of Michigan – Class of 2009
Tour of the CNN Center Summer 2008
“I found AGG to be the ideal firm to work for this summer because of the balance between life inside and outside the office. On the inside, the attorneys at AGG seek to consistently produce quality work, and are always available to provide guidance when it’s needed to attain the best result possible. On the outside, everyone at AGG knows how to put their work down, and have a good time in each other’s company. This combination made me look forward to coming to work every day.” - Danny Mills – Georgetown University – Class of 2008 “It is easy to see why AGG’s summer associate program consistently earns high marks. The program strikes an impressive balance of entertaining activities, stimulating legal projects, and pro bono opportunities. I was especially impressed by the quality of the projects. You have the opportunity to work on a variety of complex and challenging issues for clients across different practice groups, and the attorneys are always available to provide guidance and feedback on your performance. The attorneys at AGG are very supportive of the summer program, from first-year associates to senior partners, and they go out of their way to candidly answer questions about your projects and firm life in general. The work environment is pleasant and friendly, leaving you with the impression that people genuinely enjoy working at AGG.” - Joe Ivey – Georgia State University – Class of 2008
“When I began the interviewing process in my 2L year, people told me to follow my instincts. When I found the right firm, I would just know. I was somewhat skeptical of their advice until I walked into AGG. I knew immediately that this was the kind of firm where I wanted to be, and every moment that I spend with my coworkers, both inside and outside of the office, confirms it. AGG's atmosphere is unique; unlike some firms, people actually LIKE working here. The cooperation, camaraderie and respect shared between AGG employees never ceases to amaze me, and I am thrilled to be a member of the AGG family.” - Sarah Wigfall Cash – University of Virginia – Class of 2007
Rafting Trip on the Ocoee River Summer 2008
“I had heard great things about AGG, and was quite excited when I was offered a clerkship. The summer lived up to my expectations - and I am not referring to the trip to the mountains, the whitewater rafting, fancy dinners, or other such activities that are quite common at prestigious firms these days. I am referring to the genuinely down-to-earth and bright people that make up this firm and set it apart. Despite having a choice to go elsewhere, I chose to spend my summer at AGG because I had heard that the firm's work environment was what kept people there. A year later, I joined the firm as an associate. I hope to stay for a long, long time.” - Anuj Desai – University of Georgia – Class of 2007 "My experience as a summer associate exceeded my expectations. The program strikes a great balance in providing both significant work opportunities and a chance to interact in an informal setting with the firm's attorneys. At AGG, there is no hint of a tiered caste system that divides partners, associates, and summer associates. The summer afforded me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships at all levels within the firm, both professionally and personally." - Terrell Gilbert – Georgia State University – Class of 2007 “My summer experience at AGG wasn’t just about learning about the firm – it was about building relationships with its members. Unlike other summer programs, I was given the opportunity to work in each practice group and to tailor my work experience over the summer as my interests also changed and grew. Through the variety of work experiences and unique social activities, I was able to meet and work with partners and associates from across the board. Today, I have continued to maintain those relationships and despite being assigned to a particular practice area, no one in the firm is a stranger to me. My experience as a summer associate contributed to creating an ideal work environment.” - Neera Makwana – Georgia State University – Class of 2006
AGG Recruitment: Who’s who? Rick Mitchell, Hiring Partner Bliss Stone, Director of Attorney Recruitment Marisa Reeves, Recruitment Coordinator All inquiries related to the summer associate program and law school recruiting, should be directed to Marisa Reeves at recruiting@agg.com.
2009-2010 AGG NALP Form
