Summers Speak Out

Sometimes the best descriptions of our summer program are offered by summer associates themselves. Former summer associates, who have gone on to join the firm, describe their summer experiences with Moore & Van Allen:

Robb Jenkins (2006 Summer Associate)
"Moore & Van Allen’s summer program provided me with the best of all worlds. I had the opportunity to do real, substantive legal work while enjoying all that Charlotte has to offer."

Ben Pickett (2006 Summer Associate)
"One of the best experiences a summer associate program could offer is working in one of the world's greatest financial districts. Moore & Van Allen offers that along with some of the most sophisticated financial work to which a summer associate could be exposed."

Justin Steinschriber (2005 Summer Associate)
“The people are what make Moore & Van Allen great. The office feels like a big team and it was clear for me to see as a summer associate that the people genuinely like each other inside and outside of work.

After splitting my summer, it was clear that all firms are not created equal. The collegial atmosphere, the quality of work and the brilliant mentors set Moore & Van Allen apart. I had the opportunity to select my own projects, which helped me quickly figure out that practice area I found most interesting. Further, the social opportunities showed me all that Charlotte has to offer and made me realize that this is a great place for a young professional.”

Kimberly Zirkle (2005 Summer Associate)
"Spending the summer at MVA gave me the opportunity to work on challenging, sophisticated projects while getting to know the attorneys and staff that make MVA feel like home. During the summer program I worked on several large transactional projects and even accompanied a partner on a trip to Boston. This was an amazing experience and I was able to see firsthand what it was like to be an attorney closing a deal. I was also impressed with MVA's commitment to pro bono and found that taking on pro bono cases in the summer gave me a chance to actually get inside the courtroom and work on my client counseling skills. Overall my summer experience was second to none and prepared me well for my first years of practice."

Trey Rayburn (2003 and 2004 Summer Associate)
"MVA's summer program is largely self-directed, allowing candidates to get exposure to as many or as few practice areas as they want to see. I found this approach to be perfect, as it gave me the freedom to find my own place at MVA while meeting people from every part of the firm. During the summer, I got to participate in real transactions, draft real documents and meet real clients. I learned a great deal about the firm, but I also learned about the day-to-day life of attorneys in various practice areas. MVA's commitment to the development of its attorneys became apparent to me even as a summer associate, and that focus on training has continued to my benefit as a young associate. MVA's summer program is certainly a lot of fun, but the work experience that each summer associate receives goes a long way toward revealing what makes MVA a unique place."

Noelle Hicks Sproul (2002 Summer Associate)
"The attorneys I worked with were helpful with feedback, suggesting changes and additional areas to research, so that the learning process did not end with my initial project."

"The 'fit' was also about the camaraderie I shared with my fellow summer associates."

"I ended my summer here with a realistic view of what my life would be like practicing here."