Q. What is distinctive about the YCST Summer Associate Program?
A. The most frequent comment we hear from summer associates concerns the substantive work assignments they receive compared to their peers in other firms.
“It’s less about ‘wining and dining’ and more about gaining real life experience, including pro bono projects,” as a 2009 summer associate said. From a 2010 summer associate: “YCST is a premier law firm with attorneys practicing at the top of their respective practice areas. Nevertheless, it retains a culture of collegiality, flexibility and cheerfulness uncharacteristic of many comparable firms.” The approachability and accessibility of our attorneys and our constructive mentoring and training programs also contribute to our five-year consecutive top ranking among Delaware law firms by The American Lawyer.
Q. Who should apply, and what is the hiring process?
A. First and Second-year law students may apply to the program. We participate in on-campus recruiting events and minority job fairs. Read more about our interview and hiring processes, including timelines and decision dates here.
Q. What application materials must I submit?
A. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample and unofficial copies of both undergraduate and law school transcripts via the on-campus recruiting process or directly to the firm. Send your materials to: Kara Dodson, Director of Recruiting and Associate Development, kdodson@ycst.com.
Q. What size is the summer associate class?
A. It varies each year. When we hire a summer associate it is with the view that we will ask them to join our firm. Consequently, we seek to be fair to candidates and realistic with our projected hiring needs. During the past few years, the class size has ranged from 7-10 law students.
Q. Do you allow summer associates to split their summer between YCST and another firm?
A. We believe the value of our program is maximized by participation in the full 12-week program at YCST. However, we do consider summer-split requests on an individual basis.
Q. How do you assign work to summer associates?
A. Several factors influence work assignments: your interests, the firm’s needs and our desire to provide a comprehensive and varied experience for you. Our training and development page provides additional information.
Q. What salary does a summer associate receive?
A. In 2010, our summer associate salary was $2,800 per week, with a $1,000 signing bonus paid prior to the start of the program.
Q. Do you reimburse interviewees’ and summer associates’ expenses?
A. The expenses for which we typically reimburse interview candidates include coach air fare, ground transportation, lodging and meals associated with your callback interview. You will receive a reimbursement form for submission at your interview. Summer associates’ travel expenses are also reimbursed.
Q. What is the firm’s dress code?
A. We are a business law firm. We expect our attorneys and staff to dress accordingly. Fridays are casual-dress days. But, if you have a meeting outside of the office or are expected in court, you should be appropriately attired for the occasion. When in doubt, it is always preferable to be overdressed than underdressed.
Q. Do you help summer associates secure housing in Wilmington?
A. Yes, we confer with our summer associates about finding summer housing in Wilmington when they accept our offer. During the summer program, we provide additional resources respecting longer-term housing.
Q. If I receive an offer from YCST and a judicial clerkship, can I accept both?
A. We recognize the value of a judicial clerkship, and summer associates in this position may defer their start with the firm during the clerkship.