Program Information

Sheehan Phinney's summer program typically runs from mid-May to mid-August, although the size of our program allows us to be flexible with start and end dates. We require a minimum tenure of ten weeks. Because of the small size and the extreme selectivity of our summer program, we discourage candidates from splitting summers with other firms or employers. Such requests are handled on a case by case basis and must be made at the time a summer offer is extended.

Our 1L and 2L summer programs are co-extensive. Summer associates are assigned a mentor to oversee workflow and to ensure that the associate is receiving both the type of work he or she most wants to do, and sufficient client contact and out-of-the-office opportunities including trials, hearings, depositions, site visits, client meetings, and closings. Each associate is also assigned a "team" of partners and associates from whom the majority of their work will flow. Every effort is made to match the members of a summer associate's team with that associate's stated interests.

Sheehan Phinney summer associates do real work for real clients. It is not unusual for 1Ls in our program to perform important research for, and then to draft relevant portions of Motions to Dismiss and for Summary Judgment, research and apply regulations and statutes to ongoing regulatory disputes, and/or prepare and review sections of transaction documents. 2Ls in our program, particularly those who spent their 1L summer with us, are afforded even greater responsibility, including the drafting of proposed deposition questions and discovery, the preparation of first drafts of complete motions, and a seat at the table for transactions, mediations, and trials. Our 2Ls are also responsible for keeping accurate time and billing records, and will learn aspects of the business-side of the law firm.

Of course, the Sheehan Phinney summer program is not just about work. The program endeavors to give our summer associates and their spouses, partners or significant others weekly opportunities to socialize with our partners and associates outside the office. Typical summer outings include weekly softball games against other firms and clients, dinner and a night in our suite at a New Hampshire Fisher Cats Double-A baseball game, a Red Sox game in our seats behind home plate at Fenway Park, dinner and an evening of top shelf summer-stock theatre at the Peterborough Players, a picnic and concert at the Tanglewood Center for the Performing Arts, a tour of our Boston office followed by an amphibious Duck Tour of the City of Boston, a firm hike and overnight on Mt. Moosilaukee, a tour of our Concord offices followed by a tour of the New Hampshire Capitol building and an opportunity to observe the legislature in session, barbecues at partners' homes, and the annual Sheehan Phinney scramble golf tournament.

In short, the Sheehan Phinney summer program will afford you the chance to work hard and play hard, meet and get to know our partners and associates, and most importantly, make a realistic assessment about whether a career in the law at Sheehan Phinney is right for you.