How can I best position myself for getting a summer associate position at a firm?

The summer associate position of legend is the summer job at the mega firm. Sadly, these positions are few and far between and are usually reserved for Ivy League type students, top 5 percenters, or children of wealthy clients.

There are many acceptable but lower paid positions available at other law firms or corporate and governmental legal departments. Those employers looking for students coming out of their first year are not going to be expecting a great deal of experience, and frankly, all the first years have taken more or less the same courses.

Some employers may look at grades or activities in picking students to interview, but I think most are going to be looking at the actual interview. Do you seem confident and competent? Do you seem like you'd be reliable? Do you seem like you'll get along with them and their staff. To a large extent, I hire on my gut. Do I have a good feeling about you?

Also, don't wait till the last minute to start looking, but never think that it's too late. Firms that are in a position to plan far ahead will already have summer positions lined up in early spring. Don't miss the chance to apply of these jobs. Other smaller or less organized firms will tend not to know early whether they need help or not until the summer.

The other aspect is, of course, getting out there and getting to know attorneys already practicing. The old adage "It's not what you know; it's who you know" is often true. Take advantage of any opportunity to get to know practicing attorneys and the people they work with.