Summer Associates

Summer Associates

Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC has a 12-week Summer Associate program for rising 3L law students. Our goal is to find those individuals who have the potential for outstanding long-term legal careers with Foster Swift.

The firm has three summer associate positions we will be filling for Summer 2026.

1. Trusts & Estate – Lansing
2. Generalist (Business Law, Employment Law & Litigation) – Southfield
3. Business & Tax – Grand Rapids

In addition to our listings on the website, Foster Swift participates in On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) and/or collects resumes at ABA-accredited law schools. Please submit your resume, cover letter, law school transcript and a writing sample of no more than six pages that showcases your persuasive writing skills. The cover letter should include 1) what attracted you to the law, 2) why you want to pursue a career in private practice in Michigan and 3) which of the above positions for which you want to be considered. Please submit the above to khafley@fosterswift.com by July 2, 2025.    

First Round Interviews

First-round interviews will be conducted on campus or via Zoom between July 31 and August 11.   

Call-Back Interviews

Over a decade ago, we resolved to improve the quality and efficiency of our recruiting process. All call-back invitations are now extended for one day in mid-to-late August. This schedule allows the firm's interviewing lawyers to dedicate uninterrupted time and attention to this very important aspect of the firm's future. In addition, this process has dramatically reduced the time historically required to inform candidates about hiring decisions.

All expenses are paid for candidates accepting the firm's call-back invitations.

Foster Swift Summer Associate Experience

Inside the Summer Associate Program: Mackenzie Almassian	Inside the Summer Associate Program: Charles Sarchet

Summer Associate Program FAQ

The overall goal of the Foster Swift summer program is to provide summer associates with a nurturing atmosphere that expands their knowledge of the law. Toward that end, we provide opportunities to experience the practice of law while giving Summer Associates several avenues to demonstrate their legal abilities.

We generally assign summer associates to one of the firm's primary practice groups. Throughout the program, Summer Associates are given a variety of assignments to enable them to identify subject areas in which they may ultimately wish to practice.

Summer associates are not required to bill a minimum number of hours. However, they will experience private practice as if they were first-year associates. This, we believe, best allows the firm to evaluate prospective lawyers and allows the summer associates to evaluate Foster Swift and the culture of our firm.

Will I be paired with an advisor? 

Yes! We have created a variety of ways to make sure our Summer Associates have great experiences. To facilitate the transition into the firm and to learn about the firm's culture, an associate "buddy" is assigned to each summer associate. At social events, the buddy assists with all aspects of integration, including introductions and answering questions about appropriate attire and the firm’s customs.

In addition, each Summer Associate gets a mentor. This attorney monitors assignments and workload, ensures exposure to many lawyers and practice areas and helps develop client contact skills.

What type of work will I be doing? 

As part of the program, Summer Associates have the chance to receive assignments from assigning attorneys, but they are also strongly encouraged to seek out their own projects. This approach helps them to develop their prioritization and time management skills while interacting directly with attorneys.

Our attorneys work closely with Summer Associates to provide them with a diverse range of learning opportunities. This includes observing trials, as well as attending client meetings and practice team meetings. Our goal is to give Summer Associates a comprehensive understanding of the legal profession and to help them develop their skills and experience.

When and how could I expect to receive feedback?

Evaluations and feedback are two of the most important aspects of the entire experience. Summer associates receive both informal and formal feedback from the attorneys they work with on each assignment.

Summer associates are provided with a mid-summer review, which offers them valuable insights and guidance on their performance during the first half of the 12-week program. They also receive helpful tips on how to finish strong for the remaining duration of the program. Additionally, summer associates are given a final review, which provides them with a comprehensive overview of how they performed throughout the entirety of the program.

At Foster Swift, our summer program is more than a good way to spend a summer. It's a great way to begin a rewarding career with our firm.

Which offices at Foster Swift hire associates for a practice group? 

1. Trusts & Estate – Lansing
2. Litigation – Southfield
3. Litigation – Grand Rapids

Life as an Associate

Day-to-day life at Foster Swift is different from that at most firms. New associates join the practice areas that align with their interests and aptitudes. Associates receive assignments directly from partners and senior associates.

All associates get the freedom to discover the practice areas in which they may want to develop a practice. New associates are also encouraged to assume individual responsibility for files and to work on matters of varying sizes and complexity early in their careers.  Client contact, court appearances, depositions and decision-making responsibilities are not unusual in an associate's first year of practice.

We assist in a young lawyer's development in other ways. For example, the firm encourages associates to select, at the firm's expense, continuing legal education programs and bar and association memberships that will develop specific skills or areas of knowledge the associate considers important to his or her own practice.

Associate Committee

The Foster Swift Associate Committee is composed of six associates at different levels of tenure with the firm. Its goals are to:

• Identify and discuss concerns relevant to associates at Foster Swift.
• Offer suggestions to the Executive Committee on addressing associates' concerns.
• Enhance communication between associates and shareholders.
• Organize and coordinate the activities of the annual Associate Advance.

The Associate Committee was formed in order to provide a forum to enhance communication and camaraderie among associate attorneys. The 2025 Associate Committee is:

• Anthony "Tony" Dalimonte - Co-chair
• Dina Kashat - Co-chair
• Keith Brown
• Lindsey Mead
• Patrick Quinn
• Mallory Reader