FAQ's

1) When and how do I apply for a summer associate position?

A) Second-year law students may apply after July 15.
Please submit your cover letter, resumé and transcript in confidence to:

Eileen Neis
Manager of Law School Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives
Vedder Price P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601
eneis@vedderprice.com

2) What should I expect at my Vedder Price call-back interview?

A) Our call-back interviews consist of four half-hour interviews and lunch. Our interview process is an opportunity for you to visit with our attorneys to learn more about the firm and our practice areas.

3) What is the firm’s starting salary for new associates?

A) New associates annual compensation is $160,000.

4) What is the weekly compensation for your summer associates?

A) Our compensation is $3,076/weekly.

5) What is the length of your summer program?

A) Our summer program is a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 weeks.

6) Are summer associates assigned mentors?

A) Each of our summer associates is assigned to a mid-to-senior level associate who acts as his or her advisor. The advisor provides practical advice and guidance regarding the practice of law and general work-related issues. The adviser also helps the summer associate assimilate into the firm throughout the summer.

7) What types of training and professional development opportunities are offered by the firm for summer associates?

A) We have two training sessions a week designed for our summer associates.
Click here to review the training sessions held in the 2006 Summer Program.

8) What are some of the social activities provided for summer associates?

A) Formal social events such as cultural tours, firm parties, athletic events and the firm’s annual golf/tennis outing, as well as informal social activities such as lunches, dinners and impromptu gatherings, provide an opportunity to interact on a more personal basis with Vedder Price attorneys.
Click here to see our social calendar for the 2007 Summer Program.

9) Do summer associates have the opportunity to do pro bono work?

A) Yes. We encourage our summer associates to work on at least one pro bono project during the summer, under the supervision of a practicing lawyer.

10) How will my work be reviewed during the summer?

A) You will be kept apprised of your performance throughout the summer by means of regular evaluation and discussion sessions with your advisor. In addition, each summer associate has two formal review sessions: one at mid-summer and the other at the completion of the summer program.

We believe the way to learn is through open communication and feedback. Therefore, each project you work on will be reviewed individually by each attorney you work with at the completion of the project.

11) When can I expect to hear from the firm regarding an offer of employment after the summer program ends?

A) Our Associate Hiring Committee meets approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the Summer Program to determine offers for our second-year summer associates.

12) What is the firm’s dress code?

A) Our dress code is business casual.

13) What is Vedder Price’s commitment to diversity?

A) The promotion of diversity is a high priority at Vedder Price. We are committed to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and promoting the likelihood of success for all people at Vedder Price to the best of our ability.

The firm has established a Diversity Committee to ensure that efforts to promote and enhance diversity and a culture of inclusiveness remains a priority at Vedder Price.

In keeping with our commitment to diversity, we established the Vedder Price Diversity Scholarship in the spring of 2005. Eligible candidates are first-year law students enrolled at and attending one of the following Illinois law schools: Chicago Kent College of Law, DePaul University, John Marshall Law School, Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Chicago and University of Illinois. The Vedder Price Diversity Scholarship includes a $5,000 monetary award for law-school-related expenses each year that the recipient remains in good academic standing and is attending one of the above-listed Illinois law schools, as well as a summer associate position in our Summer Program after his/her first year of law school.

If you are interested in the Vedder Price Diversity Scholarship, please click here to review the application.