DC Summer Program - Work Assignments

We understand that the quality and variety of work assignments is a central concern of each summer associate. For several decades, Dow Lohnes has been known for its work in the media, communications and telecommunications industries, and these practices have evolved and expanded to include satellite, wireless, Internet and other new technology clients. We continue to provide the highest quality legal services in all of these areas, and, as a result, our summer associates have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting legal issues facing clients in these rapidly-changing industries.

But Dow Lohnes is much more than a communications law firm. In fact, the majority of attorneys at the firm are not communications lawyers. Over many years, we have earned a national reputation for a broad range of legal services, including our large and sophisticated practices in mergers and acquisitions, securities and financing transactions, federal and state taxation, employee compensation and benefits, intellectual property, labor relations, higher education, libel and First Amendment law, antitrust, civil and commercial litigation and various forms of government or "white collar" investigations. Summer associates at Dow Lohnes have the opportunity to experience all of these practices during the course of the summer.

Our work assignment process has been developed over a number of years. In Washington, it is coordinated by two associates plus one member overseeing the program. In Atlanta, one member serves as the summer program coordinator. The summer coordinators work closely with the summer associates throughout the summer. Among other things, they lead orientation programs, schedule training programs and social activities arranged by the firm for the summer associates as well as assigning all work projects.

Our summer associates work on challenging, interesting and substantive projects for the firm's clients and can expect to work directly with the partners and associates at the firm. Typically, each participant in the program receives assignments from most, if not all, of our major practice areas, and a concerted effort is made to give each summer associate assignments from those areas of particular interest to him or her. Summer associates are able to view available work assignments on-line and voice their interest in a particular project to a summer coordinator. Our coordinators make every effort to provide projects of interest to every summer associate while ensuring a balance and mixture of the type of work assigned throughout the summer.

While summer projects often require research and writing, participants in the program are by no means relegated to the library or tied to the computer. For example, recent assignments at Dow Lohnes required attending congressional hearings, attending oral argument in federal court and participating in client meetings in DC, Atlanta and other cities. Other recent projects involved drafting agreements for corporate transactions, preparing pleadings, editing client comments on proposed FCC regulations, drafting tax legislation and participating in presentations to clients.