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Recruiting FAQs
- Does Wolff & Samson encourage associates to pursue outside interests?
- From which schools do you recruit?
- When do you recruit for your summer associate program?
- What is your summer program's duration?
- How are assignments distributed to first-year and summer associates?
- What is the level of interaction between partners and associates?
- Do you give credit for judicial clerkships?
- Can you describe your facilities and technology?
- What compensation and benefits do you offer?
- What are the Firm's anticipated hiring needs?
- What are your goals for associates' professional development?
- Can you describe your summer program?
- Do you have a mentoring program for summer associates?
- How big are your summer classes?
- How big are your incoming classes?
- What bar admissions do you require?
- Do you hire laterals?
- How can I apply for a position?
- Does Wolff & Samson encourage associates to pursue outside interests?
The practice of law is not a 9 to 5 job, and our attorneys work hard to service the needs of
our clients. However, we also encourage other important activities. Attorneys are supported and
encouraged to participate in community organizations, serve on boards of entities in which they
are involved, write articles on emerging issues in the law, and organize and participate in both in-
house and outside seminars, continuing legal education, and client development efforts and bar
association activities.
Family life and life outside the practice of law are also important, and the Firm strives to
make this difficult balance easier for attorneys trying to "have it all". Approximately 15% of our
attorneys work flexible schedules, and the Firm endeavors to be supportive of its attorneys and
staff alike in times of need.
- From which schools do you recruit?
We recruit from accredited law schools throughout the country and visit many major law
schools in the New York metropolitan area for on-campus interviews. We also encourage law
school students to submit resumes, transcripts, and writing samples to us. Over the years, our
attorneys have been recruited from a broad array of law schools.
During recruiting season, our on campus interview schedule is posted on the web site.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change and should be confirmed with the
school's recruiting coordinator.
Our Firm is a member of NALP.
- When do you recruit for your summer associate program?
Although we accept resumes year round, students seeking positions for the summer are
encouraged to submit their resumes in August and September of the preceding year. Interviews
are conducted primarily from September through November, and our goal is to have the summer
class confirmed by December for the coming summer.
- What is your summer program's duration?
Generally ten to twelve weeks. Students usually arrive in late May and stay with us until
mid to late August, in all cases subject to the student's school schedule.
- How are assignments distributed to first-year and summer associates?
We believe that new attorneys benefit from exposure to each of the Firm's practice areas.
Accordingly, assignments for first year and summer associates are designed to provide an
opportunity for a diverse experience with several partners and more senior associates within the
Firm's various practice areas. If an associate expresses an interest in a particular practice area,
efforts are made to ensure that the associate receives assignments in that area, in addition to work
from other disciplines within the Firm. At the conclusion of an associate's first year with the
Firm, the associate is placed into one of the Firm's practice groups based upon the Firm's needs
and the associate's expressed interests.
- What is the level of interaction between partners and associates?
While we are one of the largest firms in New Jersey, we believe that the Firm's success is
the result of a continuing team effort, with associates working closely with partners. We are
proud of our open and friendly, yet professional working environment. Associates work side by
side with partners on both major acquisitions and in the course of complex litigation matters.
Partners in the Firm are approachable and available to provide associates with guidance,
feedback and advice.
- Do you give credit for judicial clerkships?
Yes. Graduates hired for a full-time position generally can defer their arrival to the Firm
to complete a clerkship, and are then considered second year associates upon joining the Firm.
Notwithstanding their second year status, associates joining us after a clerkship are still
encouraged to rotate through the Firm's practice areas during their first year at Wolff & Samson.
- Can you describe your facilities and technology?
Our main office is located in a building constructed to meet our needs. The boardroom,
featured on our home page, reflects the strength and commanding presence of our Firm.
Conference rooms are equipped with intranet and internet access to facilitate meetings and
presentation. We have numerous "war rooms" to accommodate the volumes of paper associated
with both complex commercial transactions and commercial litigation. Our space was
constructed for us with an eye toward continued growth, so that each associate has his or her own
office. Our law library is well equipped and stocked and is supported by an excellent law
librarian. Our space features on-site storage facilities for ready access to files. Our building, in
which we are the primary tenant, features a state-of-the-art fitness center complete with locker
rooms and showers, and a cafe. We also maintain an office in the financial district of downtown
Manhattan, with conference room facilities and support staff.
We support our attorneys with the latest technology, including the latest versions of
essential legal software and internet resources, desk-top publishing capabilities for presentations,
high-speed internet access, remote access through the internet, computerized legal research
resources, desk top facsimile capabilities, and laptop computers available for attorneys on an as-
needed basis. Our MIS support team is available 24/7.
- What compensation and benefits do you offer?
We are consistently at the top end of the northern New Jersey market in compensation,
and offer a well-balanced benefits program that includes flexible spending accounts, health
insurance, life insurance, 401(k) plan, associate bonus program, reimbursement for bar review,
bar association memberships, and continuing legal education courses. Our building also features
a full-scale fitness center.
- What are the Firm's anticipated hiring needs?
The Firm has experienced a period of measured growth, expanding from 65 attorneys in
1995 to more than 100 attorneys as of 2005, and we expect that the Firm will continue to grow.
- What are your goals for associates' professional development?
There is no formal schedule for associate development, and each associate develops at his
or her own pace. However, we encourage associates to progress as quickly as they demonstrate
themselves capable. While there is no substitute for legal research and writing to develop skills
early in a legal career, young associates also have direct contact with clients, and young litigators
are sent into court and are assigned to handle depositions as soon as they prove themselves able.
Supervising attorneys provide guidance and feedback to associates as they develop their skills,
and associates receive formal annual reviews. Summer associates are assigned mentors, and also
receive reviews as part of the summer program. The Firm conducts in-house seminars on a
variety of legal topics and issues, and provides mentoring groups to help associates to develop
and hone their marketing skills. The Firm encourages attendance at outside seminars to further
the development and experience of its associates.
- Can you describe your summer program?
The main goal of the summer program is to expose summer associates to the Firm's
practice and culture, as well as to its people. We believe these goals are best accomplished
through substantive, meaningful assignments, attending client meetings, depositions, and court
appearances, and drafting motions, briefs, and substantive agreements and other documents. We
also schedule several social outings to enable summer associates to meet as many of our
attorneys as possible in a more casual atmosphere.
- Do you have a mentoring program for summer associates?
Yes. Each summer associate is assigned an associate advisor who is available to answer
questions, to render advice, and to otherwise make the transition from law school to law firm as
smooth as possible.
- How big are your summer classes?
Our summer classes generally range from three to five summer associates. For 2007, we
expect to have at least four summer associates. Our summer associate program is a key tool in
our first year hiring program.
- How big are your incoming classes?
Our incoming first year classes usually include three – five first year associates and/or
associates completing clerkships. We select summer associates with an eye toward the Firm's
need for new attorneys in the coming years.
- What bar admissions do you require?
We require that candidates be admitted to or sit for the New Jersey bar. In addition, we
have a significant case load in New York State and strongly value admission to the New York
bar. We also encourage admission to the federal courts for New Jersey and New York.
- Do you hire laterals?
Yes. The Firm is always interested in considering well qualified, talented attorneys. For
current openings, click here.
- How can I apply for a position?
Please send your resume, transcript, and writing sample as follows:
By mail:
Director of Recruitment
Wolff & Samson PC
One Boland Drive
West Orange, New Jersey 07052
By e-mail: recruitment@wolffsamson.com
Wolff & Samson PC is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.
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