May
Day One: Orientation
The Firm holds a comprehensive orientation for the summer associate class to provide an overview of the Firm. The Firm's management and directors make presentations to assist the summer associates' transition from the classroom to the office, provide training on the Firm's technology and resources and generally introduce the summer associates to the office, attorneys and staff. The summer associates join their mentors for a luncheon presentation by the Firm's practice groups. All attorneys and summer associates are invited to a meet and greet to close the first day.
May
Day Two: Distribution of First Assignments
On day two of the program, the summer associates are assigned offices and meet their administrative assistants. They each are issued an iPhone for use during the summer. The summer associates receive their first assignments from the Summer Program Coordinator and are given advice on completing their assignments and interacting with the Firm's attorneys.
May
Greenville Country Club Welcome Reception
Morris Nichols attorneys officially welcome our summer associates and their guests at an annual reception at the Greenville Country Club. All enjoy a late spring evening in beautiful “Chateau” country just outside of Wilmington.
May
Mentor/Mentee Event
At the beginning of the summer, each summer associate is assigned an associate mentor. Early in the summer, summer associates and their mentors participate in the annual Mentor/Mentee event, a casual evening of fun designed to promote interaction and foster the mentor relationship.
May
Breakfast Meetings
Breakfast is held every other Friday with the Director of Recruiting to discuss the summer associates' experiences, to exchange ideas regarding summer associate assignments and to explore other topics the summer associates would like to discuss or concerns they may have. The summer associates typically enjoy having this opportunity to discuss their experiences freely with one another and to seek advice from their peers.
June
Firm Softball Team
Softball is always an enjoyable part of the summer program. A voluntary activity, the Firm's softball team welcomes summer associate players to play as we compete against other Wilmington firms and courts. As a bonus, the team usually reassembles at a local pizza place after the game for dinner and drinks.
June
Firm-wide Service Project at the Emmanuel Dining Room
Emmanuel Dining Room, run by the Ministry of Caring, helps alleviate the immediate needs of Delaware's hungry with nutritious meals served at no cost and with no questions asked. A team of four- to-five attorneys and staff from Morris Nichols volunteers at the dining room monthly to serve lunch to the less fortunate. Our summer associates have graciously joined the Morris Nichols' team to serve during the summer to assist with this worthwhile project.
June
Annual Golf Outing
Always a favorite event, the summer associates enjoy spending an afternoon on the links with Firm attorneys, playing a scramble format and finishing off the evening with a dinner and light-hearted awards ceremony.
June
Mid-Summer Reviews
Although the Firm encourages all attorneys to give meaningful and timely feedback throughout the summer, members of the Firm's Recruiting Committee will meet with each summer associate individually to discuss his or her work and provide a summary of feedback and advice approximately halfway through the summer program.
June
Service Project at the Ronald McDonald House
Recognizing the importance of pro bono work and giving back to the community, the Firm organizes a service project for each summer class. Last summer, the class cooked and served dinner for families residing at the Ronald McDonald House.
June
Out of Office Opportunities
In addition to their assigned projects, the Firm makes great efforts to arrange meaningful out of the office opportunities for the summer associates. Summer associates frequently attend client meetings, drafting sessions, closings, negotiations, depositions, hearings, oral arguments and trials.
July
Partner Dinners
Small group dinner parties at the homes of some of our senior partners have consistently been given high marks by the summer associate class. These dinners afford the summer associates and their guests an opportunity to get to know and spend time with Morris Nichols attorneys outside of the office.
July
Legends of Morris Nichols
Two retired attorneys at Morris Nichols take great pleasure in speaking to our summer associates about the history of the Firm starting with its founding by Judge Hugh M. Morris in 1930. Having played a key role in shaping Delaware Law over the past 75 years, Morris Nichols enjoys a durable legacy.
July
Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park
Every summer, the Firm invites attorneys and summer associates to enjoy an evening of balls and strikes, Philly cheesesteaks, Chickie's and Pete's fries, TastyKakes and other tastes of Philadelphia while taking in a Phillies game in a luxury box at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia, only a thirty minute ride from Morris Nichols' office.
July
End of Summer Party
The Firm wraps up the summer with a party attended by attorneys, spouses, summer associates and guests. Past party themes have included a crab feast, Mexican fiesta, BBQ, and wine tasting and dinner.
July
End of Summer Reviews
End of summer reviews are conducted the last day of the summer program. The Firm recognizes the importance of providing feedback to summer associates at the conclusion of the summer and elicits comments and suggestions from the summer associates regarding the program as well.