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Stephen Kilar:
I chose Godfrey & Kahn in Milwaukee for my summer because I knew that the skillfully structured summer associate program would expose me to a number of different practice areas. Indeed, in just the first half of my 12-week summer I completed two litigation-related research projects, drafted real estate documents, got a taste of the financial restructuring and corporate teams, and received a sneak-peak at securities law. The broad variety of work that I completed this summer allowed me to narrow down my areas of interest, thereby bringing into focus both my remaining semesters of law school and my career goals. By gathering an early understanding of law firms' place in the legal landscape, I have developed a keen grasp of how I can shape my law school career to prepare myself for real world legal issues. The summer at G&K has me looking to the future and I am excited by the prospects ahead!
The attorneys at G&K also made my summer associate experience outstanding. Both partners and associates took the time and made an effort to explain assignments and attend summer events. By summer's end I had interacted with most of G&K's attorneys on projects, over lunch, or at social gatherings. Everyone is approachable and G&K's open door policy ensures that everyone is accessible. As I collected questions about projects--or had questions about the firm in general--I was never hesitant to ask for a candid response. All G&K attorneys actively assisted me along the path to success. It was a pleasure to have G&K attorneys as my colleagues for the summer. At G&K I worked with dedicated attorneys who truly enjoyed coming to the office, projected optimism, and endeavored to learn something new about their practice every day.
Adam J. Loomans:
All law students enter on-campus interviewing trying to find a firm that is willing to invest time and money into developing them as a lawyer. Maybe, if they are lucky, they will find a firm that trains all associates with the expectation that they will someday become a partner. Undoubtedly, all firms says they will provide these opportunities. The key is to realize that firms do everything in their power to put their best foot forward. Luckily for me, from the first time I met the attorneys at Godfrey & Kahn, I knew that Godfrey & Kahn earned its reputation by building the firm on solid principles. Simply put, Godfrey & Kahn provides a pleasant work atmosphere, a comfortable lifestyle, complex work, and opportunities to succeed.
Now that I have completed my 2L summer clerkship with Godfrey & Kahn, I can honestly say that my expectations were surpassed. Godfrey & Kahn was built and continues to grow by hiring intelligent, dynamic and personable attorneys. Attorneys at Godfrey & Kahn, including senior shareholders, are not only personable but enjoy summer associates stopping in their office to invite them to lunch or to discuss an assignment. More importantly, however, Godfrey & Kahn is completely open and honest when it comes to expectations. Attorneys describe assignments in detail and provide summer associates with every opportunity to succeed. If you are looking for a firm that cares about you beyond your attributes as a lawyer, then Godfrey & Kahn is definitely a firm to interview with.
Rebecca Lauber:
Growing up in the Milwaukee area, I was aware of Godfrey’s strong reputation in the legal community. So naturally, I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to be a summer associate. My experience far surpassed my expectations.
Throughout the summer, I had the chance to work on projects in nearly every practice group. It was an excellent way to learn more about the different areas of law. Although the projects were challenging, I never felt overwhelmed because there was always someone willing to help. Even when I was working on a small piece of a large project, I was really impressed by the attorney’s efforts to explain the “bigger picture.” Godfrey & Kahn truly exemplifies its open-door policy.
Even with the great work, the Summer Associates Committee made sure there was still plenty of time for fun! Our social calendars were full of great events including golfing, hiking, bocce ball, and wine tasting. The activities were a fun way to learn what Milwaukee has to offer while forming great relationships with the firm’s attorneys.
I really enjoyed my experience at Godfrey & Kahn and I look forward to next summer!
Chinemerem "Ndu" N. Ozor:
My time at Godfrey & Kahn was filled with enjoyable and challenging experiences. The Summer Program gave me the opportunity to see what a lawyer does on a day-to-day basis-which is important for many law students who likely have no legal experience. I was privileged to have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of interesting projects with partners and associates, from the sale of a company to analyzing potential grounds to file an appeal. Not only were the attorneys helpful, candid and genuine, but they were also easily accessible and fun. I would say that my overall summer experience at this firm exceeded my expectations, and I would strongly recommend Godfrey & Kahn to any law student who is considering this firm.
Wendy Richards:
The summer program at Godfrey & Kahn reminded me of why I went to law school. I had daily interaction with talented, intelligent attorneys, worked on project assignments that translated into actual results for clients, and had the opportunity to learn about a variety of legal areas. Our summer program also had a lighter side. I became very familiar with the Milwaukee dining scene, learned how to play bocce ball, and caught a large fish in Lake Michigan on our fishing trip. As the summer progressed, I knew that I had made the right decision to come to Godfrey & Kahn. The firm has the perfect mix of great people and interesting legal opportunities, and really made me feel welcome as a summer associate.
Josh Torres:
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be a summer associate at Godfrey & Kahn this past summer after completing my first year of law school. Through the program, I was given the opportunity to work on projects from many different practice groups. I took part in performing due diligence for the Corporate Team, preparing client updates for the Securities Team, researching Solicitor General opinions for the Indian Nations Team, and drafting memoranda regarding arbitration for the Litigation Team. Like many summer associates, I came into the program not knowing what area of law I eventually wanted to practice, and I am still not sure, but the exposure that the Godfrey & Kahn Summer Associate Program gave me this past summer significantly helped me narrow my choices.
When the program began, I was told that the projects distributed to the summer associates were those that would otherwise be assigned to first-year associates. This means that the projects summer associates receive are not “busy work” they are true projects that, in some situations, are actually sent to the client. While this level of accountability made me feel a bit nervous at first, the collegial atmosphere and open-door policy made me feel comfortable asking the associates and shareholders questions in order to ensure the accuracy of my work. I do not mean to suggest that the program is all work and no play. We attended Milwaukee Brewers games, hiked part of the Ice Age Trail, spent the day with Chief Justice Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Madison, fished in Sheboygan, and golfed in the Godfrey & Kahn associate golf tournament. One event that I was particularly fond of was participating in the construction of a house for Habitat for Humanity.
I truly enjoyed getting to know, and working with, each person at Godfrey & Kahn. The attorneys and staff are so impressive, and I am so thankful that I got the chance to learn from them this past summer.
Eric J. Weiss:
Interviewing with and selecting a law firm for summer employment is a formidable task for law students. In short time and with little background information, law students must decide which firms are the most compatible with their career goals, personality, and work-life balance needs. The prospect of working at a particular law firm for the rest of one’s career is a distinct possibility, further increasing the significance of the decision. The wonderful part is that law students can find that right firm, and for me that firm was Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Godfrey & Kahn was just as interested in finding the law student that fit best with the firm as I was interested in finding the firm that fit best with me. I was instantly drawn to the personality and atmosphere of Godfrey & Kahn. Attorneys were friendly and professional, engaging and sincere. Open-door policies are a reality, not a myth, at Godfrey & Kahn. I regularly collaborated (and had lunch) with the most senior attorneys at the firm. Godfrey & Kahn also provided me with the opportunity to work in several different practice areas—drafting documents, attending court proceedings, authoring memoranda—in an effort to find the right practice area for me. In addition, I was greatly impressed with Godfrey & Kahn’s commitment to community development and pro bono service.
With all of that and its sophisticated client base, superb reputation, and dedication to providing quality service, Godfrey & Kahn is an exceptional law firm—the right choice for me.
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