Summer 2008
Meet Our 2008 Summer Associates
The members of this year's class are Whitney Clark, Angela Clements, Emanuel Elan, Seong Kim, Jenica Mariani, Andrew Meditz, Shannon Nessier, and Christopher Walters.
To learn more about our summer associates, including their reasons for selecting Hanson Bridgett as the place to spend the summer of 2008, click on the name links above or scroll down to see the entire class.
Our 2008 summer associates enjoy a wine tasting in Napa Valley with Hanson Bridgett attorneys and staff.
Whitney Clark
University of California, Hastings College of Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); Golden Gate University (M.B.A., 2001); Cornell University (B.S., 1985)
As a returning student, I entered the on-campus interview process searching for a firm with which I could see myself spending my entire second career. I was drawn to Hanson Bridgett as a mid-sized regional firm - large enough to have a sophisticated practice in all of the traditional areas of law, but small enough to provide an intimate and supportive work environment - with a strong reputation for a commitment to integrity, work/life balance, and the local community.
My summer experience at Hanson Bridgett has exceeded my highest expectations. Everyone here has been incredibly open and supportive, and I have had the opportunity to work with great people on a variety of interesting and challenging projects in several different practice areas. The entire firm is genuinely committed to the core values that make Hanson Bridgett a great place to work, and has definitely earned its strong reputation in the community. I certainly hope to someday join the ranks of the many partners who began as summer associates and are proud to have practiced their entire careers at Hanson Bridgett.
Angela Clements
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); University of Nebraska (B.A., 2002)
I chose to spend my summer at Hanson Bridgett because I believed that Hanson was the best fit professionally and personally. I knew I wanted to try out many different practice areas and I wanted to be given substantive work so I could make an informed decision about law firm life. I was also drawn by the firm's size, which has the resources of a large firm but is still small enough to get to know most of your colleagues. I also was attracted to the firm's roots in the Bay Area and its commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance. Finally, having worked in the non-profit and government sectors, I was pleased that the law firm has a long history of representing public agencies because I am interested in public law.
Working at Hanson Bridgett has been a great experience. I feel very comfortable with my colleagues and am impressed with the firm's commitment to their attorneys' professional and personal development. I have been given interesting, substantive assignments and I believe I have become a better writer, researcher, and thinker as a result. Associates and partners were very accessible and willing to help me strengthen my skills. Above all, my summer has given me an honest view of what it is like to work at a law firm and the attorneys at Hanson exemplify what I was looking for.
In my spare time, I like to get out and enjoy the outdoors in the Bay Area, play the violin, and cook.
Elan Emanuel
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); University of Michigan (B.A., 2003)
My summer experience at Hanson Bridgett confirmed the firm's reputation as a great place to work and a uniquely supportive environment for young attorneys. Hanson Bridgett attorneys are not only professional and well-accomplished, but they are also approachable and grounded. The firm has a distinctly unique culture where doors are always open, and both Partners and Associates are eager to answer any and all questions.
The summer program at Hanson Bridgett provided a realistic example of life as a practicing young attorney. I was given ample opportunity to work on interesting and intellectually challenging assignments in a variety of different areas. Additionally, the summer coordinators truly listened to my preferred areas of interest, and made every possible effort to provide me with assignments in those areas. I also contributed to several pro-bono projects, demonstrating the firm's strong commitment to this area.
Overall, I could not be more pleased with my experience at Hanson Bridgett. Our summer class became extremely close, and had a fantastic time participating in the many social events, including a wine tasting trip to Sonoma and cooking school. These events are only a few of several fond memories I have of this summer.
In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cooking, and playing basketball.
Seong Kim
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); University of California, Berkeley (B.A., B.S. ,2006)
When I was going through the OCI recruiting process, there were a number of factors I was looking for in a law firm. Having grown up in the Bay Area, I knew I wanted a firm with strong community ties. Additionally, I wanted a firm with exceptional attorneys and a reputation for being a great place to work. When I first heard about Hanson Bridgett, I was a little skeptical that a large law firm could have the collegial atmosphere of a smaller firm. However, during the entire recruiting process, everyone I met was genuinely excited to be at the firm and enjoyed the people they worked with.
As I began the Summer Associate program, I realized I was at a truly unique place. Everything I had been told about the firm was true. Both associates and partners took an active interest in developing my legal skills. Furthermore I was encouraged to try different practice groups, attend hearings, participate in pro bono events, and meet new people. But most importantly, the Summer Associate program gave me real work experience. Because of it, I feel I have a much clearer understanding of what it is like to be a lawyer.
Jenica Mariani
University of San Francisco, School of Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); Santa Clara University (B.S., 2006)
When I started looking for a summer associate position after my first year, I wanted to find a mid-size, civil firm with a reputation for having strong local ties and as being a rewarding place to work. After reading about Hanson Bridgett and talking about the firm with professors and practicing attorneys, I felt that it might just be the perfect fit. While interviewing with the firm, I immediately connected with everyone I met - they were down to earth people who seemed genuinely interested in helping me pursue my varied legal interests. I was delighted when Hanson invited me to join their summer program.
I had very high expectations when I started my summer, hoping for meaningful work and a chance to truly learn about the firm - these expectations were not only met, but were easily exceeded. I have worked on exciting, challenging, real-life assignments with both partners and associates on litigation, public agency, labor and employment, construction, and real estate issues. I have also gotten to know people throughout the firm and can honestly say that everyone here abides by a philosophy that stresses collegiality, dedication, and respect for one another. I feel very grateful to have found such a unique firm.
Andrew Meditz
J.D. Candidate, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (Present); University of California, Davis (B.A., B.S., 2002)
When I concluded my on-campus interview with Hanson Bridgett earlier this year, I had a genuine feeling that it would be a great firm to spend my summer internship and to eventually establish a career practicing law. On paper, I knew that Hanson Bridgett had an extraordinary resume. What impressed me the most though was how the interviewer sincerely conveyed the intangibles, such as Hanson Bridgett's commitment to diversity, community, and attorney development. When I approached local Sacramento attorneys and others about Hanson Bridgett, the answers were consistent: it is an impressive firm full of talented attorneys who are committed to their clients.
Hanson Bridgett has lived up to its reputation. My summer experience has been tremendous. As I was initially unclear which practice area I would eventually choose, Hanson Bridgett has provided opportunities to work in all areas that interest me. In fact, everyone in Sacramento encouraged me to try different areas and work with attorneys in not only the Sacramento office, but also in San Francisco and Marin. I learned more about Hanson Bridgett's various practice areas and community legal services involvement than I thought was possible in 11 weeks. Apart from the "legal" work, everyone in Hanson Bridgett, from the attorneys and partners, to support staff, have been extremely welcoming and willing to provide me with the most instructive and comprehensive summer experience possible.
Shannon M. Nessier
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); Santa Clara University (B.A., 1999)
When talking about which firms to choose, most people during OCI said that the big firms are all the same. I knew I didn't want to feel that way about my summer experience. I wanted to be at a firm that had its own, distinct culture - not one cut out for it by a corporate board thousands of miles away. But, I also knew that I wanted to be at a renowned firm with an impressive reputation, exciting cases and clients, and skilled attorneys.
When it came time to apply, choosing Hanson Bridgett was easy. It has a rich tradition in San Francisco, boasts a long list of partners and associates who once summered here themselves, and maintains an unwavering commitment to its core values. At the same time, it reaches across the United States, litigates interesting cases, and commits itself to cutting edge issues. It is the best of both worlds.
My expectations for the summer were already very high, because everyone I met with beforehand had been so impressive. It made me pretty nervous for an impending let down. But that never came. The attorneys and staff welcomed us as if we were already members of the Hanson Bridgett team. My mentors were invested in me and my experience and always available to offer advice.
In my 10 weeks, I worked with more partners than I would have ever imagined. I handled real matters, with real deadlines, and saw my work put to use. The attorneys I worked with valued my input, and my work for them, while incredibly challenging, made coming to work each day exciting. I could not ask for anything else.
Christopher Walters
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (J.D. Candidate, 2009); Indiana University (B.A., 2003)
I decided to spend my summer working at Hanson Bridgett because it seemed to possess the right combination of broad, well-respected practice areas and a commitment to practicing law the right way. I wanted to try my hand at working on litigation, real estate transactions, health care regulation and employment assignments. Hanson Bridgett was one of the few places where the summer program not only promised to give me real work, but to provide it across such a wide spectrum.
The attorneys at Hanson Bridgett made every effort to make sure our summer fulfilled all our expectations. We worked with a wide range of attorneys and got a feel for how attorneys interacted with each other. There is generally a great mix of work and play: the social events were fun, but not all-consuming. In the end though, I think the true lifeblood of the firm really came out one Saturday at a volunteer event when the managing partner showed up with his son to help a bunch of HB attorneys build a house. It was seeing that commitment to community coupled with the firm's high standard for legal work that made this a good summer.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Hanson Bridgett LLP seeks to ensure a positive and diverse work culture where each person may work and develop professionally to the best of his or her ability free of unlawful discrimination or prejudice. To this end, the firm is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits unlawful discrimination or prejudice of any kind based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or pregnancy.
