summer associate programs expected to shrink by a third in 2009.
According to The National Law Journal, law students can expect most summer associate programs to shrink by up to 35% next summer. This information came courtesy of recruiting coordinator Jerry Kowalski of Kowalski & Associates, who has spoken with a "wide range" of managing partners and career services personnel across the country.
The news of shrinking class sizes will probably come as no surprise to most of you, who "know it's not the same old thing" this summer. The tumultuous economic forecasts and the shrinking budgets at law firms will no doubt make summer associate programs the first victims in times when trimming the fat is considered necessary.
Larger firms in areas like New York are likely to see the largest cuts, according to The NLJ. Mid-sized to small firms, however, may not see need to do such drastic cuts, since their programs are typically more conservatively sized. Students are broadening their searches to include these programs, with metropolitan areas such as Houston coming into focus for wannabe summers across the nation. Additionally, firms with strong banking practice areas are safer bets due to the "current financial meltdown." There's always a silver lining, isn't there?
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