Training for Summer Associates

“Thank you for the legal writing seminars you provided in connection with the firm's 2007 summer associate program. We have worked with a number of consultants over the years, and your seminar far exceeded my expectations. The feedback we received from our summer associates was extremely positive.

The summer associates reported that you delivered a practical, highly informative and fun seminar, which was a wonderful supplement to their law school legal writing programs. . . . .

Your management of the seminar details was also seamless. This past summer we had 160 summer associates in 14 different offices, and coordinating training is no small task.

We opted for videoconferencing, and I greatly appreciated your willingness to accommodate our needs. You seemed very comfortable using videoconference technology and with the idiosyncrasies that accompany it. . . . [T]he seminars were flawlessly executed. I was particularly impressed with your ability to engage the summer associates in the satellite offices , a detail other presenters typically overlook.”

Kara E. Nelson, Esq.
Director, Legal Recruiting and Development
Foley & Lardner LLP (Milwaukee)

All quotations used with permission.

 

“I wanted to let you know once again how pleased we were with the Writing Skills Workshops you put on in our New York and Washington, D.C. offices this summer. Written evaluations (as well as more informal reports) were excellent.

I was delighted to have had the opportunity to attend the Washington, D.C. session myself. Your presentation was engaging, entertaining and very much on target for our lawyers and staff. Your written materials and exercises were excellent and a lot of fun. . . .

We are looking forward to working with you again soon.”

Bryn R. Vaaler, Esq.
Director of Professional Development
Dorsey & Whitney LLP (Minneapolis, New York, Washington, DC)

All quotations used with permission.

 

“I just left the workshop you conducted this afternoon for our Summer Associates. You did a wonderful job, and I say that with the experience of having worked with a variety of nationally prominent trainers who have presented to our lawyers and Summer Associates over the years.

You were supremely organized, efficient, and effective. You took the time to customize your presentation for our firm, and you were sensitive to our firm's cultural preferences and idiosyncrasies in legal writing.

Above all, you conveyed the key fundamentals of practical, effective legal writing in an engaging, entertaining way. Well done!”

Peter B. Sloan, Esq.
Recruiting and Career Development Partner
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP (Kansas City, MO)

“The material was tailored to our specific needs.

Marilyn knows her material, her audience, her purpose, and her strengths. She answers our questions before we have to ask them and is unafraid to say the answer is not clear.

Great speaker and session.”

Jessica Kelly, Summer Associate (Raleigh, NC)
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP (Atlanta)

All quotations used with permission.

 

“Very helpful. [Marilyn] made points clearly and effectively. Good examples to illustrate points.”

Fan Liang, Summer Associate (Northwestern University)
Foley & Lardner LLP (Milwaukee)

All quotations used with permission.

“Good presenter—effective use of visual aids and text/explanation. Best explanation of 'that/which' that I have heard.”

Debra Lange , Summer Associate (Marquette University)
Foley & Lardner LLP (Washington, DC)
(attended via videoconference)

All quotations used with permission.

 

“She kept my attention more than I expected.   Feared 4 hours of legal writing speech, but was glad I attended.”

Joseph Kreeger, Summer Associate (University of Illinois)
Foley & Lardner LLP (Chicago)
(attended via videoconference)

All quotations used with permission.

 

“Your legal experiences have enabled you to communicate with 'lawyers-to-be' effectively. . . . You gave us applicable tips and methods. Also, kept our attention . . . GREAT!”

Kenneth A. Sprenger (University of Arkansas)
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP (Kansas City, MO)

All quotations used with permission.

“As a summer associate, the information was valuable in distinguishing between law school writing and law firm writing. I really enjoyed this workshop!”

Akita N. Adkins, Summer Associate (University of Pennsylvania)
Howrey Simon Arnold & White, LLP (Washington, DC)

All quotations used with permission.

“Great examples and slides. The exercises/activities were helpful to put the principles into a concrete context.”

Seamus Morley, Summer Associate (Fordham University)
Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch LLP (Morristown, NJ)

All quotations used with permission.

“Even after two years of legal writing classes at George Mason, this was an excellent refresher.”

Orest J. Jowyk, Summer Associate (George Mason University)
Shaw Pittman (Washington, DC)

All quotations used with permission.