Our 2022 Summer Associate Program brought seven law students to the firm for an intellectually challenging and professionally gratifying experience. The students took part in firm-sponsored social events and community service projects throughout the summer in addition to attending client meetings, depositions, court hearings and other proceedings. Nearing the end of the program, the students agreed to share a few highlights from their summer at Shutts.
Zachary Amrose joined us from University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he is a member of the Florida Law Review and the Jewish Law Student Association. He previously interned with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.
Here is what Zachary had to say about his experience.
How did you decide to pursue this position?
I learned of Shutts while I was searching for summer associate positions near my family in South Florida through which I would be exposed to business litigation and a variety of other practice areas. I found Shutts to be a great match from my first interview, as the attorneys described a work environment that prizes collaboration, professionalism, and community involvement—a description that proved accurate throughout my time as a summer associate.
What did you do before coming to Shutts?
The summer before coming to Shutts, I volunteered remotely at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. And while at Shutts this summer I learned that several Shutts attorneys affiliate with Legal Aid in Palm Beach County and beyond—it’s a small world! Otherwise in law school, I was a teaching assistant for first-year legal writing classes and I served as a managing editor for the Florida Law Review.
What knowledge and/or skills will you be taking with you after completing the program?
Through the program I gained an appreciation for the wide breadth of legal issues that are likely to arise in day-to-day practice. I also improved my research and writing skills, learning to more effectively separate the wheat from the chaff. And after first seeing an assigning attorney meaningfully engage with my research product, I earned confidence in my career path.
What were your expectations and have they been met (or exceeded)?
Having heard great things about Shutts before I arrived, I had high expectations. They were exceeded. I found that the firm’s open-door atmosphere encourages collaboration and mutual care for coworkers’ success—perhaps especially so for summer associates. Even when it was not necessary for me to complete legal research assignments, attorneys took time to explain the facts behind the matter so I could learn about day-to-day practice as an attorney. Everyone at the offices I visited was happy to talk as long as I’d like about their practice and experiences; there is no shortage of learning opportunities available for summer associates across a breadth of subject areas. And at the West Palm Beach office, where many associates have young children, I found widespread respect for a manageable work-life balance, which I feel is an important consideration.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Established in 1910, Shutts & Bowen is a full-service business law firm with approximately 300 lawyers with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.