Bradley Partner Jason Bushby Quoted in BBJ on Firm's Plans for Summer Associate Program
June, 2020 - United States of America
Bradley attorney Jason Bushby was quoted in the Birmingham Business Journal on how Bradley plans to move forward with its summer associate program despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Summer is usually the time when law firms across the country host a class of summer associates, first and second-year law students who temporarily join firms to gain experience and explore future career options. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic has employees working remotely, many firms, including Bradley, have restructured their programs.
One of Bradley’s biggest concerns is building relationships with its summer associates, said Bushby.
Bradley typically hires 35 to 45 summer associates for its Birmingham office. This summer, Bradley will host a condensed, remote program set to begin on June 1.
“It’s not always easy to build and establish really solid relationships entirely remotely,” Bushby said. “We’re going out of our way to ensure that we’re engaging with these summer associates through video.”
These engagements may include practice group meetings, training sessions, inclusion and diversity presentations, pro bono presentations or virtual social events.
Relationships built during summer programs often result in permanent associate offers. Bradley does not plan to let the program’s virtual adaptation change the firm’s hiring.
“These summer associates are the lifeblood of the firm,” Bushby said. “These are our future lawyers. These are our future partners.”
The original article, “How Birmingham Law Firms are Altering Their Summer Associate Programs Due to COVID-19, ” appeared in the Birmingham Business Journal on June 9, 2020 (login required).
