Associate/Summer Positions

Associates

Lane & Waterman emphasizes integrity, academic achievement, and excellent communication skills when hiring associates.  We look for associates who will contribute positively to the culture of our firm, our practice and the practice of law.  Our goal is to hire associates who become partners who, through their work and career longevity, add to the outstanding reputation of Lane & Waterman.

Lane & Waterman looks for associates who achieved success academically, participated on law reviews, and/or clerked with the judiciary.  We look for attorneys who can contribute to our ability to provide extraordinary service and the highest quality of legal work.  Associate candidates must demonstrate exceptional people skills and show a potential to become partners of the firm. 

Lane & Waterman has a sophisticated practice and offers work and experience in almost every area of the law.  Our approach to associate development begins with the idea that exposing associates to a variety of work assignments helps them determine their areas of interest and practice focus.  Initial assignments include research and writing projects, drafting briefs, client communication and conferences, negotiations, court appearances, discovery and depositions, and real estate and transactional closings.  This variety allows our associates to immediately experience a broad survey of practice areas. 

Associates are provided a great deal of responsibility early on and have opportunities to work on more complex litigation and transactions with the guidance of partners.  Our associates who want trial experience are exposed to the courtroom at an early point in their careers.   

Partners provide continuing formal and informal training.  Open communication between partners and associates enhances the positive setting at Lane & Waterman, and allows associates to progress in their careers, taking on greater responsibility while receiving any needed guidance from practiced attorneys.  In addition, continuing education efforts are provided for inside and outside the office.  Associates are expected to develop and define their areas of expertise.

The firm offers a salary and benefits package that is very competitive in our area.  Associates receive regular evaluations to review their ongoing practice development and their path towards partnership.  Consideration for partnership starts a relatively short five and one-half years after associates begin their careers at Lane & Waterman.  

Lane & Waterman actively recruits associates with outstanding qualities and provides training, experience and opportunities to enhance their legal careers.  In addition, associates are supported in becoming involved with professional, civic and community organizations. 

Summer Associates

We consider our summer associate program a highly successful tool for attracting exceptional, future attorneys to the Quad Cities area.  We believe the most effective way to market the firm is for a summer associate to see the type of law we practice, the quality of service we provide and the community within which we work.

The firm hires law students for summer employment following their first and/or second years of school and provides them with real-world, hands-on experience.  Summer associates assist with current client matters and participate in a broad range of legal work including drafting briefs, memoranda and transactional documents; participating in depositions, arbitration and mediation sessions; attending client meetings; and observing courtroom practice.  The summer program provides students an excellent opportunity to hone their skills and gain valuable experience. 

Summer associates are able to work within our different practice areas to gain an understanding of the broad spectrum of law we practice and determine what they might enjoy.  Experiences in a particular practice area are facilitated if a summer associate has a particular interest.

The summer program is led by the firm's recruitment committee.  A team of partners and associates directs the summer program to ensure that summer associates receive practical feedback and participate in practice areas that will help develop their skills.  The committee monitors each associate's progress, acts as an advisor and provides ongoing informal and formal training.

Summer also provides an ideal time to show-off the Quad Cities.  Through numerous planned functions and activities, summer associates are introduced to local culture, amenities and festivities, providing the ideal conditions for summer associates to interact with Lane & Waterman attorneys and clients in social settings.  Summer associates are also treated to small group lunches and after work outings with associates and partners to foster relationship building with attorneys a summer associate may not work with directly.

Summer associates are the major hiring source for future Lane & Waterman associates.  Direct participation in the firm allows summer associates to become familiar with the culture of Lane & Waterman, and allows Lane & Waterman to identify outstanding individuals who will continue the tradition of providing legal services of the highest quality as associates. 

The firm recruits annually on campus at the University of Iowa, Drake and Creighton, and seeks quality candidates from other law schools.