FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SUMMER PROGRAM

Q: What types of social activities do the summer associates participate?

A: The firm arranges a variety of social activities throughout the summer program to provide the summer associates and attorneys the opportunity to get to know one another.  We encourage the summer associates to participate in the summer activities, however , they are not required to attend all activities.  Many of the activities allow the summer associates to experience the city as well as life outside of the firm.  Dinners, sporting events and section parties are just some of the ways summer associates get to know the attorneys.

Q: What are the salaries and benefits of a summer associate working for Haynes and Boone, LLP?

A: Our 2007 summer associate salary was $2,700.00 a week in our Texas offices, $2,788 in our Washington, D.C. office, and $3,000 per week in our New York office.

The firm pays for the summer associate’s moving allowance one-way if he/she is splitting the summer with another employer in the same city.  If the summer associate is only working with Haynes and Boone in that particular city, the firm will pay the full moving allowance.  

Q. Do you hire 1Ls for your summer program?

A: We allow our Minority Scholars to join our summer program as 1Ls.  All other 1L candidates are considered on a case by case basis.

Q: Do you have a first half and second half program?

A: Generally summer associates come during the first half of the summer .  In certain offices, we allow summer associates to come second half, however, it is subject  to the approval of the hiring partner and section head. 

Q: What is the minimum amount of time a summer associate is allowed to spend at the firm? 

A: Summer associates are required to spend six weeks at the firm unless it is a special circumstance which has been approved by the hiring partner.  Returning 1Ls and summer associates who need to return to school early because of law review obligations are allowed to come for five weeks. 

Q: Will the firm assist me with finding summer housing?

A: Yes, Haynes and Boone works with a reputable apartment locating company.  They provide our summer associates with rental options that best meet their requirements based on location and price.  More information is provided in the spring before their arrival.

Q:  How is an offer made?

A:  In 2007, offers for employment were made at the end of the first half and at the end of the second half of the summer program.  Input is solicited from all attorneys for the final evaluation of each summer associate.  Decisions regarding offers are based upon numerous considerations, including the evaluation of the summer associate’s work product, the recommendations of the Summer Associate Committee and the Firm’s hiring needs.  

Q: How does your firm distribute work assignments to summer associates?

A: Each summer associate is assigned a “supervisor” who provides the summer associate  with work assignments.  Each summer associate is exposed to several interesting projects which can  reveal their researching and writing abilities among other things.  Assignments correspond with sections they rotate through during the summer. 

NEW ASSOCIATE INFORMATION

Q: What is the compensation package for a 2007 New Associate?

A: The compensation package for a New Associate is approximately $160,000.  This represents the maximum amount payable which includes an acceptance bonus, moving allowance, summer stipend, prorated year-end bonus and bar expenses. 

Q: What are the benefits for a New Associate?

A: Medical coverage is offered on a shared-cost basis  Option to purchase dental and supplemental disability insurance at employer cost.  Medical spending & dependent care accounts offered under Section 125. 401(k) plan allows employee to contribute after 3 months; after one year, firm adds 2% of salary.

Q: What is your partnership track for a New Associate?

A: It is our present policy to consider attorneys for partnership after eight  to ten years of practice with the firm.

Q:  What types of training and professional development opportunities does your organization offer?

A: Haynes and Boone has a comprehensive in-house training program.  Our program includes an intensive, three-day program design to ”jump-start” our new associates’ careers. HayBooU introduces our new lawyers to the firm and its resources, with special attention on skills used in the day-to-day practice of law, and on specific topics that focus on developing transactional practice skills and litigation practice skills. 

Haynes and Boone also offers a year-round training program for our first and second year associates that covers more than 200 topics.  These topics are typically section or practice group specific.  We have regularly scheduled section practice group meetings to discuss practice matters and current legal trends.  Haynes and Boone also holds firm-wide retreats and a litigation retreat to promote firm-wide training and professional development.

Q: What roles do partners/senior attorneys play in the training of associates?

A: Haynes and Boone seeks to hire, train, develop, and promote the highest quality associates.  Each associate will have supervision by partners within the associate’s practice group.  Partners will serve as mentors and will oversee each associate’s training and development in all aspects of the law of law, as well as integration into the community.  Each incoming associate will also have an associate mentor from his or her practice group to assist the associate’s integration into the firm and the community. 

Q: Do you pay for outside CLE or other educational programs for attorneys?

A: Yes, within our guidelines.

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS

Q: What is your judicial clerkship policy?

A: Upon employment at the Firm, the associate will be given a judicial clerkship bonus plus salary and partnership credit of one year.  Additional credit for a two year federal clerkship will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Judicial clerkship credits include clerkships with Federal District Courts, Federal Courts of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court and state supreme courts.  Credit for judicial clerkships with other courts will be considered on a case by case basis. 

Q: Do you encourage judicial clerkships?

A: Yes, many of our attorneys have completed judicial clerkships.  The research and writing skills as well as the exposure to the trial and appeal process have proven to be valuable skills in the professional development of these attorneys.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Q: Who are your clients?

A: AMR Corporation (American Airlines), Bank of America, Credit Suisse First Boston, Crescent Real Estate Equities, Ltd., Dell Computer, Dynegy Inc., El Paso Corp., ExxonMobil Corporation, SBC Communications, Inc. Shell Oil Company, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Tenet Health Care Corporation, Texas Instruments, Trinity Industries, and numerous others.

Q: How many associates make partner each year?

A: There is not a set quota; however, ten associates made partner in 2001, eight associates made partner in 2002 and 2003, eight associates made partner in 2004 and nine associates made partner in 2005.  In 2006 - eight associates made partner; 2007 - nine associates made partner; and in 2008 - 10 associates made partner.

Q: How are associates evaluated?

A: Associates are reviewed annually and in some cases semi-annually.  

Q: Is your pro bono work a commitment of the firm?

A: Yes, the firm performed over 30,000 hours of pro bono and community service in 2005. Our  work included staffing legal clinics, handling adoption cases, handling asylum cases, representing non-profit organizations and handling death penalty cases.  More information can be found in the public service section of this website.

Q: What are your minority recruitment efforts?

A: Haynes and Boone has established a minority Scholars Program for SMU and UT law  students.  We are also signatories to the Statement of Goals of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio Law Firms for increasing Minority Hiring, Retention and Promotion. Haynes and Boone attends a number of Minority Job Fairs.