Summer Associate Program

At Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP, we regard our summer associate program as the genesis of our associates and partners of the future. As a boutique environmental and energy law practice, our summer program is kept generally small, up to a maximum of three or four law students. This size allows us to provide each summer associate with a high level of individual attention and legal work uniquely tailored to his or her areas of interest. In addition, it affords each summer associate an opportunity to work closely with attorneys at all levels of experience, from senior partners to junior associates, and to gain invaluable mentoring from these different experiences. Summer associates get to know our firm by getting to know our entire team, not just a few representative lawyers.

Our firm strongly believes that professional growth and development at all levels are important components to the success of our practice. As such, we provide our summer associates with diverse training and development opportunities. We typically begin our summer session with a mini-course to familiarize our summer associates with our various areas of practice. In addition, summer associates participate in our weekly training lunches for legal and technical staff, where current and emerging practice issues and business developments are discussed.

Summer associates are assigned work typical of that performed by a first- or second-year associate, with additional guidance appropriate to the student's level of experience. We endeavor to provide our summer associates with a broad spectrum of assignments, which may include, among other things, (1) litigation matters, (2) regulatory and/or transactional matters, (3) site remediation, (4) client counseling, (5) negotiations with government agencies, (6) contract drafting, and (7) research and analysis. In addition, we provide summer associates with numerous opportunities to attend, observe, or participate in out-of-office proceedings such as hearings, depositions, meetings, or conferences. Research and writing are also important components of the summer associate experience at our firm. We work with the students to develop their skills in these areas throughout the summer. By the end of the summer, summer associates typically have produced several written products, which have been reviewed by senior lawyers, and have had direct dealings with the firm's clients.

We understand that constructive feedback is invaluable to our summer associates and believe that it is a critical tool for development of our future lawyers. Therefore, in addition to providing feedback during the course of assignments, at the conclusion of each assignment the assigning attorney will meet with the summer associate to review performance on the assignment and provide constructive guidance. Further, each summer associate receives individual, formal evaluations both at mid-summer and at the conclusion of the summer program. Each summer associate is also provided with a summer mentor, typically an associate, who is a friend and can offer guidance and support throughout the summer.

Benefits of Being on the Team at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP

The benefits of being a summer associate at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP are many. The "open door" culture of our boutique firm means more meaningful interaction with all members of our firm, from junior associates to senior partners. Our compensation package is competitive with larger general practice firms in the region. There is a warm, collegial atmosphere throughout the office, and our lawyers and staff are invited to wear business casual attire in the office every day.

We offer more than just work experience during the summer. Our summer associates are encouraged to participate in a variety of social and recreational activities with the lawyers and staff, such as concerts, baseball games, museum and local history tours, golf, dinners in town or at partners' homes with lawyers and their spouses, and many other social activities. In addition, summer associates are invited to attend functions of environmental organizations and bar associations that typically occur during the summer. At the conclusion of your summer at Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP, you will know each of us individually and understand our philosophy of practice.

What We Are Looking for in a Summer Associate

We are looking for highly motivated, top-notch law students. A particular interest or background in environmental, energy, or land use law is helpful, but not required. If you are at the top of your class and have high standards and a creative mind, we would like to meet you—and you would probably like to meet us. Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP attorneys are smart, focused, creative, and enjoy a unique balance between their work and the rest of their lives.

For information on how to apply to our summer associate program, please see our Law School Recruiting page, or contact our hiring partner whose contact information is listed on this page.

Testimonials

My experience as a summer associate at MGKF was fantastic. The work was challenging, interesting and incredibly varied. I had the opportunity to work with almost all of the firm's partners and received great exposure to the firm's many practice areas. The work not only was "real," but it also was quite important to the clients for which it was prepared. Considering this, I felt incredibly privileged to have had several opportunities to discuss the conclusions of my work directly with clients. I also was impressed by the mentoring and feedback I received as I completed projects. It is difficult to imagine a firm that provides its summer associates with a more accurate reflection of the work of its first-year associates. More than anything, though, I will remember my experience at MGKF for the incredibly positive work environment created by the firm's talented and exacting, yet consistently collegial, attorneys.

Allison Reimann
Summer 2007

My summer at MGKF was an exceptional introduction to the practice of law. Over the course of the summer, I had the opportunity to experience working with associates, technical consultants, and senior partners on a wide array of challenging and interesting projects. I was able to learn not only about environmental law, but about other aspects of law practice such as interacting with clients and giving arguments in court. The office environment at MGKF was very collegial and I always felt comfortable asking questions or discussing complex issues with the lawyers. My experience as a summer associate showed me what a rewarding experience working with accomplished and motivated attorneys can be.

Mackenzie W. Smith
Summer 2007

The most revealing aspect of the summer program is the great amount of trust the firm places in its summer associates. From the moment I walked through the door, I was given substantial responsibility on a number of different cases; I was immediately a part of the MGKF team. One of my first assignments, for instance, was to write a brief in support of a class action settlement. Later in the summer, after the brief had been submitted to the court, I had the opportunity to watch a partner argue in support of the settlement at a fairness hearing. This was not a "special" occasion—it is just one example of the many incredible opportunities available to summer associates. At other points during the summer I observed depositions and sat in on a complex settlement negotiation involving multiple parties. In between, I worked closely with several partners and associates on a wide variety of cases involving complex issues such as multi-state brownfields redevelopment, toxic torts, and radioactive waste. Throughout the summer I received thoughtful comments and guidance from my associate mentor.

One of MGKF's greatest strengths is its small size. Firm activities throughout the summer created the opportunity to interact with colleagues in a more informal setting. By the end of the summer, I knew every member of the team, including both attorneys and staff. MGKF is unique: a supportive community of professional colleagues dedicated to serving its clients needs by producing legal work of the highest caliber. I cannot imagine a better introduction to the legal profession.

Bryan Fields
Summer 2007

My experience as a summer associate at MGKF was outstanding. I was given a broad range of assignments that helped me to understand the work that the firm does and to decide the area of law that I would like to focus on in practice. I was able to work with most of the lawyers at the firm, and found that they were always friendly, approachable and willing to help. The assignments I received were substantive and challenging and many times involved interaction with clients and consultants. I consistently felt like my work was valued and part of the team effort.

Matthew C. Sullivan
Summer 2005

The summer experience at the firm is the best to be had. The firm's summer associate program put to test what I had learned during my first year of law school. My experience was augmented and challenged by the strong mentorship of the highly intelligent attorneys at the firm. Senior partners and associates alike always made me feel as though their time spent with a summer associate was a worthy investment as well as a pleasure. My experience here has impressed me with the possibility to achieve a desirable quality of life while maintaining an outstanding and rewarding practice among colleagues who are respected and admired in the legal profession.

Joyce E. Koh
Summer 2000