Advice and Insight on being a Summer Associate in Nashville, TN

Advice and Insight on Being a Summer Associate in Nashville

By: Virginia Pirkle* & Alyssa Ward**

Virginia Pirkle

1L summer associate position(s): Holland & Knight LLP (Nashville, TN) (Corporate + Healthcare Regulatory & Enforcement)

2L summer associate position(s): Holland & Knight LLP (Nashville, TN) (Healthcare Regulatory & Enforcement)

Being a summer associate in Nashville for the past two summers has been an extremely rewarding experience. As someone interested in practicing healthcare law, I believe Nashville is the perfect place to be a summer associate. I had the opportunity to interview with several firms in Nashville, but Holland & Knight stood out because of their focus on the healthcare industry. Equally as necessary, the attorneys at the firm are all individuals I could happily see myself working alongside. Those factors made the biggest difference when considering where I would like to spend my summer and start my career.

As a summer associate, one of the most important tasks is getting to know the firm’s attorneys. For me, this meant being intentional about scheduling lunch or coffee with attorneys to hear about their practice and get to know them personally. Throughout the summer, I was constantly reminded that it is essential to realize you are interviewing the firm as much as they are interviewing you during your time as a summer associate. Where you work as a summer associate is likely where you will start your career, so it is crucial to use the summer to see if you can genuinely see yourself working at the firm full-time after graduation. Additionally, take full advantage of the events planned for your summer program. Use that time to connect with the other summer associates and attorneys at the firm because networking is vital as a future attorney.

During my first summer, I worked in two practice groups—corporate and healthcare regulatory & enforcement. Especially after 1L, I would encourage summer associates to work on projects in as many groups as possible. Taking assignments from various practice groups to see what I would be interested in practicing was highly beneficial. This allowed me to be more confident and comfortable choosing what practice group I wanted to work in after 2L and potentially after graduation. When taking on assignments, I found working with as many different attorneys as possible particularly helpful. This allowed me to see who I may enjoy working with when I start as an associate. It was also beneficial to take projects from attorneys with different experience levels—from first-year associates to senior partners. This allowed me to see how their expectations may differ.

Completing assignments as a summer associate is often daunting, but being on Tennessee Law Review has undoubtedly prepared me for the assignments I completed. TLR has specifically sharpened my research, writing, and bluebooking skills. Using these skills allowed me to feel much more confident in the work product I submitted and ultimately led to two fruitful summers.

Alyssa Ward

2L summer associate position(s): Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP (Nashville, TN)

My 2L summer in Nashville was the perfect place to land after spending my 1L summer at two firms in Knoxville. After growing up in Murfreesboro, a Nashville suburb, Nashville is the ideal location. I also specifically wanted healthcare law experience, and Nashville’s healthcare market is unmatched, outpacing even the city’s music industry. Bradley’s healthcare practice in particular is consistently ranked as one of the best practices in the nation, with standout attorneys throughout the group. Not only are the attorneys well decorated with accolades, but each partner and associate in the practice group took time to get to know me and played an active role in my recruiting and development as a summer associate.

As a summer associate, your primary goal should be to get to know as many attorneys (and staff!), particularly in your desired practice group, as possible. In my experience, grabbing coffee or lunch is the perfect way to learn more about that person and their practice in a more relaxed setting than the office. While the summer can include lots of fun, remember that you and the attorneys are deciding whether the firm is a good career fit. At a larger firm, you will likely have many summer events scheduled for the whole summer associate class. Plan to attend as many of these events as possible! Although the summer can get busy and a bit socially draining, the attorneys are taking time out of their schedules to meet you, and events are an excellent opportunity to make a lasting impression.

Notably, my role in Tennessee Law Review provided a significant advantage in my role as a summer associate. Learning the ins and outs of the Bluebook allowed me to become an expert in citations, which proved beneficial in creating research memos. The ability to answer others’ questions relating to citations is critical in establishing yourself as an asset to the firm. Moreover, maintaining focus over long hours working for TLR, in turn, helped me to accomplish many projects over the short summer.

My best advice for law students aiming to practice in Nashville or any location is to work hard, develop good interpersonal skills, and maintain a good reputation with everyone around you. A little kindness and dedication go a long way in the small community of the legal profession.

*J.D. Candidate, University of Tennessee College of Law, Class of 2025. B.S., Lee University, Class of 2022. Virginia serves as Copy Editor of Tennessee Law Review, (insert space) President of Health Law Society, and Marketing & Solicitations Editor of Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law.

**J.D. Candidate, University of Tennessee College of Law, Class of 2025. B.A., Union University, Class of 2022. Alyssa will work at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP in Nashville beginning in the fall of 2025 in the Healthcare Practice Group.