Where do you interview?
Thompson Coburn has held on-site interviews at the following locations:
Job Fairs
- Chicago Walk Around Program (Chicago, IL)
- Cook County Bar Association Minority Job Fair (Chicago, IL)
- Lavender Law Career Fair (Chicago, IL)
- Southeastern Minority Job Fair (Atlanta, GA)
- St. Louis Diversity Job Fair (St. Louis, MO)
Law Schools
- Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Washington, D.C.)
- George Washington University School of Law (Washington, D.C.)
- Georgetown University Law Center (Washington, D.C.)
- Howard University School of Law (Washington, D.C.)
- Loyola Patent Law Interview Program (Chicago, IL)
- Northwestern University School of Law (Chicago, IL)
- Saint Louis University School of Law (St. Louis, MO)
- University of Chicago Law School (Chicago, IL)
- University of Illinois School of Law (Champaign, IL)
- University of Iowa School of Law (Iowa City, IA)
- University of Michigan Law School (Ann Arbor, MI)
- University of Missouri School of Law (Columbia, MO)
- Washington University School of Law (St. Louis, MO)
What is your review and formal interview process?
All resumes received are reviewed by the legal recruiting department and the Chair of the Employment Committee. If a candidate is selected for an office interview, the legal recruiting manager will contact the student by phone or email to arrange a date and time that is convenient for the student. The typical interview process lasts two hours with the candidate meeting a mix of associates and partners. In special circumstances, interviews may be held via videoconference.
What kind of candidate are you looking for?
When choosing whether to accept a candidate, we consider many factors. Significant weight is given to those with strong academic credentials and who are actively involved in their law school and community – this includes law journals, moot court/mock trial experience, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and prior work experience. These efforts show you can thrive in our dynamic environment. We equally value your potential to translate your legal education and experiences into the skills and client service approach that distinguishes Thompson Coburn from other law firms. Your ability to communicate effectively, listen attentively, work well with others and problem solve are tantamount to your success at Thompson Coburn.
Which offices hire law students?
We currently offer our Summer Associate Program to second-year laws students in our Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. offices. While we typically hire more second-year law students, we do consider and accept first-year law students in our St. Louis Office.
What is your approach to clerkships?
Typically, third-year law students that have been offered a full-time position upon graduation, but who have been given an opportunity to clerk are welcome to complete clerkships.
How long is the Summer Associate Program?
The program is typically 10 weeks long, and begins the first Tuesday after Memorial Day.
How big is your Summer Associate Program?
We build our summer associate classes based on our projected future needs for attorneys in specific practice areas. When we hire summer associates, we are anticipating their transition into the firm after graduation from law school.
What is your acceptance rate?
All second-year summer associates are considered for a full-time position upon completion of law school. All first-year summer associates are considered for a second-year summer associate position. More information on acceptance rates is available on our NALP forms, located here.
Do you provide travel reimbursements?
Our legal recruiter will work with you to coordinate hotel and flight arrangements, if necessary for interviews. All other reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed by the firm after the legal recruiter receives a completed NALP reimbursement form. The form can be found here.
What is appropriate office attire?
Attire is business casual. On Fridays, we allow our attorneys and staff to wear casual attire; well-cared-for jeans and tennis shoes are allowed.
Can summer associates pursue pro bono opportunities?
Thompson Coburn encourages all of its lawyers to participate in pro bono activities for which we give credit as for billable work.
Does the firm have any diversity initiatives?
Thompson Coburn is committed to creating and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that recognizes the contributions individuals with different backgrounds and experiences bring to our clients and our firm. Below are just a few ways in which we strive to exceed our diversity goals:.
- Creating attorney teams that reflect both gender and racial diversity
- Supporting a strong Diversity Committee that is chaired by a member of the Management Committee
- Implementing hiring strategies to recruit diverse lawyers
- Maintaining a diverse workforce by establishing a mentoring program designed and monitored by the firm's Diversity Committee
- Development of the Thomas F. Eagleton Scholarship supporting minority students
More information on the firm’s diversity initiatives and women’s initiatives can be found throughout our website.