practice groups during biglaw summer programs & emotionally handling student loans

how do practice groups work during a biglaw summer program?

I was wondering if you could explain how firm recruiting works in terms of placements and what your summer looks like. Do you have a choice of what practice area you go to, or are you given more of a broader view of your firm and legal work generally? I’m particularly interested in your specific area of the law.

- Anonymous

I used to think that all law firms were the same--and there are many similarities between them--but when it comes to how practice area placements work and what summer associate programs look like, they can really vary. Most biglaw firms ask you for preferences on practice areas of interest before your summer, but you aren't committed to what you put down in the same way that you are when you start full-time. The biglaw summer associate experience is primarily for experimenting, trying out practice areas, and learning about the firm and its various practice groups. Some firms, however, have "hot" practice grou…