Baker Donelson's Summer Associate Program imparts a realistic view of the practice and culture of our Firm. Our Summer Associates experience diverse, challenging assignments across a wide range of practice areas. They also can expect structured, personalized feedback throughout the assignments, and they have the opportunity to attend trials, hearings, depositions, negotiations and client conferences.
The Firm assigns a shareholder and associate mentor to each Summer Associate to ensure individual attention and instruction, and to encourage positive growth on a personal and professional level. We also offer training programs designed specifically for our Summer Associates, as well as Firm-wide litigation and corporate programs for our associate attorneys. Our Summer Associates are invited to all Firm-wide training and practice group training that takes place throughout the summer.
Each office plans a number of social events to give Summer Associates the chance to interact with the office's attorneys in a relaxed and informal setting. Many of our events are geared towards families. Typical events include: community service projects; professional baseball games; shrimp boils; Wii tournaments; bowling nights; cooking classes with chefs such as Susan Spicer; kickball tournaments; wine tastings; lunches with city and county officials; private museum tours; casino nights; scavenger hunts; cooking contests; trivia nights; progressive dinners; and lake trips.
An average number of Summer Associates per office is four, though our hiring needs are evaluated annually and class size may vary from year to year. While our primary source of growth is through our Summer Associate Program, we do not hire more Summer Associates than we believe we will be able to accommodate as associates. In the past, we have made offers to the overwhelming majority of Summer Associates. We require six-week clerkships. The dates of our Summer Program vary by office location. Salaries range from $1,200 - $2,100 per week depending on the office.
Baker Donelson participates in fall and spring on-campus interviews and job fairs. We have 2L Summer Associates Programs in our Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Jackson, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices. Our Birmingham office hosts a 1L Summer Associate Program. To view our OCI schedule please click on the On-Campus Recruiting Schedule link. If you attend a law school that we do not visit, we encourage you to send a cover letter indicating your office of interest, your resume and updated transcript to our Director of Recruiting.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any of its employment practices on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or veteran's status.
Diversity Recruitment Efforts
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz has a Firm-wide commitment to minority hiring, retention and opportunities. The Firm participates in the Southeastern Minority Job Fair in Atlanta, the National Black Law Students Association Job Fair and the Louisiana State Bar Association Minority Job Fair.
"Baker Donelson is a family I've grown up in, starting as a runner while in college. I clerked each summer during law school and then become an associate. I'm currently the Nashville office Managing Shareholder and feel very fortunate to be part of this great group of people."
- Scott D. Carey
Shareholder