Advice
- Professionalism Primer
- Dressing for Interviews, Receptions, and Work
- From Student to Associate: Navigating the Transition
- Understand Performance Evaluations
Resources
- Hotshot Legal uses short videos to teach a range of legal and business topics. See Self-Directed Learning with Hotshot for information about signing up. Hotshot’s videos provide simple explanations of complex concepts. Topics include Accounting & Finance, M&A Basics, Excel & Data Analysis, and Venture Financing, and new content is continually added.
- The HotShot’s Professionalism & Communication series will build essential professional skills that will help you succeed in summer positions, clinics, and your career as a lawyer.
- Watch Starting Strong: Core Skills for Summer Associates and enter your summer associate role with confidence and professionalism by focusing on the skills that firms expect from day one.
- Watch Foundations for New Associates: Communication & Professional Skills as you transition from full-time student to full-time attorney and leverage the skills you need to succeed in the professional world.
- Prepare to Practice program by LexisNexis. This tutorial is designed to help students master some of the practical skills you need to arrive practice ready on day one.
- Developing the Professional Lawyer – Student Tip Videos. Created by the National Association for Law Placement, these interactive e-learning modules are a simple way to help you focus on some of the core elements of professionalism.
- Bloomberg Law produces short videos that shed light on the economic models and structures of major law firms.
Podcasts and Videos
| TITLE | FORMAT |
|---|---|
| Managing the First Years of Your Law Firm Career | Video |
| Summer Success in a Remote Setting | Video |
| How a Law Firm is Run and Why it Matters to You Julie Jones, Chair of Ropes and Gray | Video |
| How a Law Firm is Run and Why it Matters to you Kevyn Orr, Partner-in-Charge Washington, Jones Day | Video |
Updates from Hire Ground
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A Draft is Never “Just” a Draft
Every piece of work you turn in should be the highest quality that you are capable of. Even if you are asked for a “draft,” take the time and effort to turn in a polished piece of work. Check your citations and proofread carefully. Do not rely on spell-check. Make sure you follow up after
May 28, 2026
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Make Written Work Product One of Your Summer Goals
To the extent you have any choices among projects in your summer job, try to seek out writing projects. These projects will help develop your writing skills and be a helpful source of writing samples for future job searches, including for judicial clerkships. Before you leave the job, ask for permission to use writing from
May 28, 2026
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Use Technology Wisely This Summer
This summer when completing assignments, make sure you are using technology responsibly. Follow your employer’s AI and technology policies, recognizing that many employers now have specific guidelines on generative AI use. Do not use employer technology for personal use, always use reputable legal research resources, and be efficient with your time on Lexis and Westlaw.
May 28, 2026
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Summer Success
Make sure you are ready to put your best foot forward this summer. If you haven’t already, review the Professionalism Primer section of our website and/or OPIA’s Professionalism Guide. You worked hard to get to this point. Take the time to learn what you can do to make a great impression this summer.
May 21, 2026
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Summer Success
Make sure you are ready to put your best foot forward this summer. If you haven’t already, review the Professionalism Primer section of our website. You worked hard to get to this point. Review this page to learn what you can do to make a great impression this summer.
May 21, 2026