Summer Clerkship Program
Introduction
The attorneys of Capell & Howard are graduates of some of the finest undergraduate, graduate, and law schools in the nation. Capell & Howard attorneys have received law degrees from such law schools as the University of Alabama, Cumberland School of Law, Emory University, Vanderbilt University, Syracuse University College of Law, Tulane University, Texas Tech University, the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, the University of Virginia, and the Yale Law School. In addition to holding the juris doctorate, almost one-third of the firm's attorneys also have obtained graduate law degrees at schools such as the University of Alabama, George Washington University, New York University, and Northwestern University. Additionally, the firm has more attorneys than any other firm in central Alabama listed in The Best Lawyers in America, a peer-review survey generally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.
The Firm has a proud history not only with respect to the lawyers who have devoted substantially all of their legal careers to the Firm, but also former members of the Firm who have served and are now serving the public in other ways. These "alumni" of the Firm and their current positions include: Neal H. Acker, General Counsel of the Alabama Housing Finance Authority; Richard F. Allen, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections; Constance S. Barker, Commissioner - United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; John L. Capell III, Retired Circuit Judge of Montgomery County; and Kenneth D. Wallis, former Chief Legal Advisor to the Governor of Alabama.
The firm's extensive client base expects and demands such well-educated attorneys with exceptional analytical and legal reasoning skills. In an effort to ensure that the firm continues to hire from a pool of highly qualified law students and continues to build upon its reputation for excellence, Capell & Howard hires several outstanding law students each year to take part in its summer clerkship program. The firm seeks well-rounded students who possess both strong academic credentials as well as outstanding interpersonal skills. Over the course of the program, clerks are afforded the training and experience that will better facilitate a smooth transition from law school to law practice.
The Program
Having the opportunity to experience first hand the "real world" life of a Capell & Howard attorney is of primary importance to the firm and is the central goal of the summer clerkship program. Throughout the program, law students are afforded the opportunity to put law school study and theory into practice, as well as to interact with judges, attorneys, and clients, all while working on real cases and real issues. The program has proven successful in enabling both the firm and its summer clerks to better determine how each would fit together in a long-term setting of legal practice.
To that end, each clerk is assigned a mentor who will guide the summer clerk throughout the term of his or her clerkship. The mentor oversees the assignment of projects to the clerk and ensures that the clerk receives adequate exposure to as many types and aspects of the firm's practice as possible. The mentor also provides the clerk with valuable insights into the firm's practice areas.
Capell & Howard realizes that the summer clerkship program will provide the first employment experience that many summer clerks will have had in a legal setting. This is especially true for the firm's first year clerks. With that in mind, the firm provides a comprehensive orientation for all new clerks. That orientation includes an overview of the firm's computer and phone network, a tour of the firm's facilities, and an informal introduction to the firm's attorneys. Additionally, each clerk is issued his or her own "Clerk Handbook" that addresses many concerns that often arise in a first time legal setting. By reducing these uncertainties, the firm strives to allow each clerk to more clearly focus on his or her work projects and to better enjoy all the opportunities that the clerkship program has to offer.
Over the period of their clerkship, clerks typically will work on research projects covering several areas of law. Capell & Howard believes that such is the most effective system for allowing each clerk to explore new areas of potential interest, as well as giving the clerk an opportunity to witness a variety of legal styles and personalities. However, should a clerk prefer, the firm may emphasize a particular area of law to better serve the interests and desires of that particular clerk. Clerks are also given the opportunity to witness depositions, hearings, trials, mediations, etc., to provide a more practical understanding of how they will be asked to apply their legal education in the future.
The summer program, however, is designed to do far more than simply expose each clerk to the real world of practicing law. It is the firm's strong desire to assist each clerk in crafting the skills required to succeed as a Capell & Howard attorney. Accordingly, work evaluation and feedback are of top priority. Regular constructive criticism of work product allows each clerk to draw from the vast experiences of the firm's attorneys and to apply that experience to his or her own work habits. This process not only allows the clerk to develop professionally, but also serves to foster additional mentoring relationships with the firm's senior members.
Social Activities
In addition to solid academic qualifications, summer clerks also should possess an appropriate level of social skill, to ensure that the clerk can interact well with clients, judges and other attorneys. The summer clerkship program provides summer clerks with many opportunities to engage in social interaction with attorneys of the firm and their families, as well as members of the community at large. Such interaction not only allows the summer clerks to better develop personal relationships with Capell & Howard attorneys in a relaxed environment, it also helps to cultivate the closeness of the attorneys amongst the firm's collegial atmosphere.
In the past few years, typical summer clerk activities have included attending Montgomery Jubilee Cityfest concerts, trips to Montgomery Biscuits baseball games, intra-office basketball games, golf outings to the Robert Trent Jones Capital Hills courses (as well as other golf courses), and trips to Lake Martin. Summer clerks also participate in a number of unplanned activities, including dinners at various Montgomery restaurants and several relaxed events at attorneys' homes. All of the program's summer activities are designed to help enable the clerk to better appreciate what life in Montgomery has to offer. In addition, to further the goal of providing a glimpse of life at Capell & Howard, the firm regularly welcomes clerks' spouses and children to attend summer events.
Summer clerks also will accompany Capell & Howard attorneys to bi-weekly firm lunches. These lunches are held in the firm's Capell Board Room. Firm lunches provide yet another opportunity for the clerk to develop personal relationships with a number of firm attorneys, while at the same time learning more about the firm's current news and events.
Hiring Criteria and Process
Applicants for a Capell & Howard summer clerkship position should possess superior intellect, sharp legal reasoning ability, and high ethical standards. Academic excellence and participation in extracurricular activities at the undergraduate and law school levels are important factors. The firm prefers that all applicants be in the top 20% of their class. Membership on the editorial board of a law review or other legal publication, as well as involvement in moot court and trial competitions, are also preferred. The firm is also interested in hiring graduating law students who have been accepted to and will commence a graduate law program. Because the firm is always seeking diverse ways to better serve its clients, other exceptional accomplishments and honors also are taken into account.
Capell & Howard prides itself on its high rate of attorney retention. For this reason, associate attorneys are hired with an expectation that each will become partners and finish their careers with the firm. Consequently, the firm strongly considers hiring clerks who express a desire to live in the Montgomery area. While a geographic connection to the area can be indicative of such an intention, Capell & Howard attorneys possess diverse backgrounds and qualified students who are seriously interested in Montgomery are encouraged to apply.
The firm extends offers for its summer clerk program after review of an applicant's qualifications, as well based upon the impressions received during the various levels of interviews. In most instances, a law student initially is interviewed through an on-campus process. Qualified students may be invited to Montgomery to take part in a more extensive interview process at the firm's offices to give the student the opportunity to meet as many of the firm's attorneys as possible.
Work Accommodations and Training
From the time he or she begins the program, each summer clerk will be treated as much as possible like a firm attorney. Each clerk will be assigned a private office from which he or she can concentrate on the various work assignments. However, all clerks are stationed within close proximity to one another in the hope that they can better develop the close relationships and network of mutual support that will enhance their overall clerkship experience with Capell & Howard.
The firm maintains an extensive and up-to-date computer network system. Each clerk is provided a computer with access to word processing, Westlaw, and the Internet, as well as access to the firm's experienced support staff. Each clerk also will be provided an Internet e-mail address to use during his/her clerkship. In addition to computer resources, the firm has a comprehensive main library and a separate tax library. Further, the firm's offices are conveniently located only a few blocks from the State Judicial Building, which houses the extensive law library of the Supreme Court of Alabama.
Compensation and Duration
Summer clerks are expected to work approximately 40 hours a week and are compensated at a rate of $1,100 per week for rising third-year students and $1,000 per week for rising second-year students. The duration of the clerkship depends upon the particular needs and desires of each law student. Typically, clerkships last six weeks. However, in most instances, the firm will work with potential clerks to accommodate alternate arrangements if the clerk so desires.
Recruiting and Contact Information
Qualified candidates who are interested in applying for a position in Capell & Howard's summer clerkship program should apply through their law school during on-campus interviews, routinely held during the fall and spring semesters. For candidates at law schools where the firm does not regularly conduct on-campus interviews, interested candidates are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume to:
Chad W. Bryan
Capell & Howard, P.C.
150 South Perry Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
(334) 241-8034 email
