Eaton Peabody generally selects two law students each year for our summer program. Summer associates typically will have completed their first two years of law school. The program usually begins on the day after Memorial Day and runs through mid-August. Our program is based in the Bangor office, but summer associates may have the opportunity to visit our other offices as projects require. Our goal is to hire exceptional, intelligent, and motivated summer associates who are looking for a long-term relationship with a sophisticated legal practice.
The summer program is run by an experienced shareholder with the assistance of associate mentors. We strive to make our summer program a prime opportunity for our summer associates to gain valuable legal experience, obtain insight into a career at Eaton Peabody, and develop perspective on working and living in our communities.
Get Experience
Our summer associates are exposed to multiple practice areas during their summer at Eaton Peabody, and are encouraged to get actively involved in the practice of law by attending hearings, trials, depositions, closings, and client meetings. While research and writing are an integral part of the experience, we encourage our summer associates to get beyond writing legal memoranda by providing opportunities to draft a spectrum of legal documents from complaints, summary judgment motions and trial briefs, to contracts, deeds and trusts.
In order to promote a diverse experience and maximize exposure to our practice groups, our summer associates divide their summer among different practice groups. While we strive to provide some experience in each department, we also try to provide additional focus on those areas of particular interest to our summer associates.
Feedback is both formal and informal, with written evaluations for each project. An open door policy allows supervising attorneys the ability to provide oral feedback, direction and focus for assignments.
Gain Insight
Our summer associates are exposed to values, such as client service and commitment to community, that are foundations of the Eaton Peabody experience. Our summer associates have the opportunity to work alongside senior shareholders on projects and to develop personal relationships through casual social functions and weekly lunches. These activities foster opportunities for comfortable conversation and development of insight into what makes Eaton Peabody one of Maine’s top firms.
Grow Perspective
Quality of life is high in the communities in which we practice and is important to us. That is why we are here. Our communities are great places in which to live, work and play. We look for attorneys willing to make a commitment to developing their careers but who also are interested in living in safe, caring communities surrounded by an unsurpassed natural environment. The summer associate program provides ample opportunity to experience the most beautiful areas of our state and to get a real feel for life in Maine. Firm social gatherings are held on a regular basis at attorneys’ homes. Summer associates are encouraged to attend cultural events including art exhibitions, evenings at the Penobscot Theatre, and the American Folk Festival.
There also is ample opportunity to explore the abundant outdoor recreational opportunities for which Maine is famous. Our summer associates usually spend a day sailing on nearby Penobscot Bay. Acadia National Park, Mt. Katahdin and the lakes and rivers that surround us all are readily accessible. We encourage our summer associates to take advantage of time outside the office to explore the natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities that abound in Maine. Whether your inclination leans towards hiking, sailing, camping, canoeing, fishing or biking, it’s all here.
Our Human Resources Manager can assist summer associates in locating housing. With several colleges and the University of Maine close by, seasonal rentals are not difficult to obtain. Resumes for summer associates are accepted from late summer through late fall for the following summer. On-campus interviews are held at the University of Maine School of Law and the Massachusetts Law School Consortium. Students unable to participate in on-campus interviews are encouraged to contact Veronica Lachapelle by sending the following to her:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Transcript (Unofficial copies acceptable)
- Writing Sample
- References
Ms. Lachapelle’s Contact information is:
Veronica Lachapelle
Chief Operating Officer
PO Box 1210
Bangor, ME 04402-1210
Fax: (207) 942-3040
vlachapelle@eatonpeabody.com