Participation in the Summer Associate Program at Mound Cotton offers:

• Experience at a top insurance and reinsurance law firm
• A collegial work environment
• Mentoring
• Challenging assignments
• Opportunity for learning
• No rigid departmental divisions
• Hands-on litigation experience
• Opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way
• An open door policy
• Feedback on performance
• Opportunity to socialize with colleagues

Mound Cotton utilizes its Summer Associate Program as an effective means of recruiting and evaluating a potential first-year associate class for the following year. Each Fall, MCWG visits – in person or virtually – several law schools to invite students who will have completed two years of law school curriculum by the next summer to join us and to learn what it is like to be an associate. Summer Associates are treated as entry-level attorneys. Typical assignments allow Summer Associates and the firm to evaluate the type of work and work product and to judge the potential for employment at the firm following graduation. Assignments vary from legal research and writing to drafting discovery and motions, conducting document reviews, observing depositions and courtroom activities, and participating as part of a trial team. Summer Associates are encouraged to take part in the firm’s accredited CLE program. Because MCWG has an international practice and is national coordinating counsel for several large insurance companies, there can be an  opportunity for travel.

Interviews

The interview is our first opportunity to get to know a candidate. Interviews generally are conducted by one MCWG attorney in the first round, and are then invited to interview with additional attorneys, until a final decision is made on our summer class. We welcome candidates from schools nationwide; these are some of the schools our summers have come from:

• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
• Boston College Law School
• Boston University School of Law
• Brooklyn Law School
• Florida State University College of Law
• Fordham University School of Law
• George Washington University Law School
• Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
• Seton Hall Law School
• St. John’s University School of Law
• Texas A&M University School of Law
• University of Florida Levin College of Law
• University of Texas School of Law

Mentor System

Each Summer Associate is assigned to a more senior attorney who serves as a mentor throughout the Summer. Although MCWG encourages an open door policy whereby every attorney – from the most senior partner to any associate – is approachable at any time, the mentor is there to address any specific problems or needs of the Summer Associate and to help the individual acclimate to the firm.

Assignments

Assignments for our Summer Associates are distributed by the firm’s Assignment Committee, which coordinates assignments for all of our associates. The range of assignments for Summer Associates encompasses all of the types of work done by the firm. MCWG encourages our Summer Associates to discuss any case they are working on with the assigning attorney and to seek feedback on assignments. At the end of the Summer, the Summer Associates are evaluated by a formal review process, and it is determined whether the associate will be invited back to begin his or her legal career with MCWG. This decision usually is made by early October. Our goal is that by the end of the summer, each Summer Associate will know what it is like to be part of MCWG and will be enthusiastic to return.

Hiring Criteria

MCWG seeks individuals who have exhibited academic excellence, and preferably who are involved in an educational extracurricular activity, such as a journal, moot court, or Legal Aid. We look for individuals who have shown talent in non-academic endeavors and who have displayed initiative in meeting challenges. Because many of our cases involve the work of teams of attorneys, it also is important that a candidate enjoys working with others. Ultimately, we select the most highly qualified people who are compatible with our high standards, our emphasis on teamwork, and our general work environment. You may be guided by the following criteria:

• Graduated within the top 30% required
• Journal membership is preferred
• Moot Court is preferred
• Insurance-related interest/experience is helpful